Practice Business Manager

Bishops Stortford Veterinary Hospital; England; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

An independent small animal hospital in Hertfordshire is seeking a Practice Business Manager to support the operational aspects of a busy veterinary practice. The role offers the chance to work closely with the senior leadership team and the outgoing Practice Manager to ensure a smooth transition. Responsibilities include managing financial operations, supplier relationships, and planning for refurbishment projects. The position offers a salary between £35,000 to £45,000, with a Monday-Friday schedule.

Benefits

Salary of £35,000 to £45,000

CPD encouraged and supported

Relocation package up to £3,000

Five weeks' holiday plus bank holidays

Bring your dog to work

Company pension

Qualifications

• Experience in veterinary practice is not essential but could be beneficial.
• Ability to evaluate and monitor practice performance through data analysis.
• Skills in managing supplier relationships and facilities management.

Responsibilities

• Support the operational running of the hospital.
• Evaluate and monitor practice performance.
• Oversee payroll processes and financial administration.
• Manage supplier relationships and facilities.
• Play a role in planning major rebuilding projects.

Skills

Business management experience

Proactive approach

Tools

Sage Accounting

Practice management software

Job description

Join our supportive and friendly team at Bishop’s Stortford Vets, where you can make a real impact in a rewarding leadership role at the heart of our thriving, growing practice.

Bishop’s Stortford Vets is an independent small animal hospital in beautiful Hertfordshire, which has been part of the community for over 120 years. We achieved RCVS-accredited status in 1985 and continually invest in the latest equipment and training to provide the highest standards of patient and client care. We also have exciting plans ahead, with an extensive redevelopment on the way.

Our fantastic Practice Manager, Neil, joined us in 2006 after spending 17 years in the banking sector. At that time, we had a team of 26. Today, we’ve grown to a team of 60, with two branch practices in Saffron Walden and Stanstead Abbots. Last year, Neil moved to a part-time role, and Rosie joined the team as Assistant Practice Manager. Rosie has now stepped into the Practice Manager role, overseeing the clinical and HR aspects of the practice. With Neil now planning to retire in 2026, we are looking for a Practice Business Manager to work alongside Rosie. This is a fantastic opportunity to take on a key leadership role, contribute to the future success of the practice, and support the wider team.

We are looking for someone who can contribute to continued growth and effective leadership within an independent small animal hospital environment.

Our team is built on a collaborative culture focused on high-quality care and staff development.

Our team of 16 vets have many years of experience and a wide range of interests. With certificate holders in small animal internal medicine, surgery and ophthalmology, we can work up and manage the majority of cases in-house, including orthopaedic and most soft tissue surgeries. We have a superb nursing team of 29 RVNS, SVNs, and ACAs and an excellent admin team who keep everything running smoothly. We are also fortunate to have the expertise of our in-house laboratory manager and a qualified Canine Hydrotherapist, enabling us to offer hydrotherapy onsite.

About the role

Our practice is thriving, and to continue this momentum, we’ve created a brand-new Practice Business Manager role to support Rosie with the non-clinical, operational running of our busy hospital. This is a fantastic opportunity to be involved at a strategic level, working closely with the senior leadership team on the business side of the practice.

We are looking for someone with business management experience and a proactive approach to help drive the practice's future. Veterinary experience is not essential, but could be useful in understanding the specific needs of the practice.

Until Neil’s planned retirement in 2026, you will work closely with him to gain invaluable hands-on experience and insight into the day-to-day running of the practice, ensuring a smooth and well-supported transition. In addition to this mentorship, we’re happy to support professional development through management certifications or relevant leadership courses.

Key responsibilities

• Proactively supporting Rosie and the Clinical Directors on practice operations, with some role overlap with Rosie to provide holiday cover and ensure continuity.
• Evaluating and monitoring practice performance through data analysis and reporting.
• Overseeing payroll processes and financial administration, including Sage Accounting & Payroll, HMRC submissions, and debtor management.
• Managing supplier relationships, utilities, and service contracts, ensuring cost-effectiveness and reliability.
• Handling facilities management, coordinating maintenance, repairs, and general upkeep.
• Playing a pivotal role in planning and delivering our major rebuilding and refurbishment projects over the next 18 to 24 months.
• Supporting IT systems and ensuring effective use of practice management software.
• Professionally managing client feedback and non-clinical complaints to exceed client expectations.

We value everyone’s work-life balance, and the rota for this role is Monday-Friday (8.30-5). There is no out-of-hours or routine weekend work.

The local area and what we get up to outside of work

Bishops Stortford is a pretty market town, with plenty of cafés, restaurants and great schools, all surrounded by beautiful rolling countryside. Many team members have dogs, so we have our own ‘doggie work team’ who join us in practice and walks during breaks. The practice is also just across the road from the local leisure centre for those who want a swim or workout before or after work, plus a large park for lunchtime walks. We enjoy getting together as a team and are busy organising our summer BBQ.

The area offers many outdoor activities, such as cycling, walking, open-water swimming, and fishing at nearby lakes, not to mention that we’re just over an hour from the Essex coast. There are excellent rail links, with a direct train service to London Liverpool Street that takes approximately 45 minutes, one to Cambridge that takes 30 minutes, and Stansted Airport is just 15 minutes away. So, keen travellers will find it easy to jet off for a weekend getaway.

We offer

• Salary of £35,000 to £45,000
• Monday-Friday (8.30-5)
• CPD encouraged, with management certification fully supported and funded
• Relocation package up to £3,000
• Five weeks' holiday, plus bank holidays
• Bring your dog to work
• Company pension

If you would like to learn more about us, please feel free to call us for an informal chat or apply now!