Practice Director

IVC; Cheltenham; On-site; GBP 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

6.6 weeks' holiday including bank and

Private medical insurance

Pension scheme

Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes

Retail discounts and cashback offers

Reduced-cost veterinary care

Job summary

Dragon Vets in Cheltenham is seeking a Director of Practice to lead our hospital and four satellite branches, delivering exceptional patient care and client experience while shaping strategic direction and sustainable growth.

You will own operational, financial and people performance across multiple sites, partnering with clinical leaders to maintain high standards, drive change and build a high-performing, values-led team.

Qualifications

• Senior operational leader with strong commercial acumen
• Experience leading multi-site veterinary/healthcare operations
• Strong financial management including P&L oversight
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management and change leadership

Responsibilities

• Lead operational, commercial and financial performance of the practice network
• Drive growth and continuous improvement across sites
• Build and develop high-performing multidisciplinary teams
• Ensure exceptional clinical standards and regulatory compliance across locations
• Foster a safe, collaborative working environment and align with company goals

Job description

Director of Practice - Dragon Vets

Salary up to £60,000 DOE
Closing date: 2nd November Subject to change

At inspiring vet care, our people are at the heart of everything we do. As the UK's number one vet care provider, we're trusted with the care of over 2 million animals, delivering our purpose of healthier animals and happier owners.

We have a unique opportunity for a Director of Practice to lead our teams at Dragon Vets which is made up of our main hospital and 4 satellite branches. You will work closely with the Practice Manager & Lead Vet to share the future of the practice.

Located in the heart of Cheltenham, renowned for horse racing and a thriving bar and restaurant scene, Dragon Vets is an established practice and has invested in specialist equipment including CT, DR, rigid and flexible endoscopy, high-end Doppler ultrasonography and well-equipped operating facilities including laparoscopic kits and TPLO kits, and much more.

Practice Highlights

We have a team of 16 vets, including certificate holders with Advanced Practitioner status in Small Animal Surgery, Cardiology and Medicine, and value evidence-based medicine with regular clinical discussions and readily available colleague support.

We function as more than a first-opinion practice, often performing complex surgeries and treating intensive medical cases that may otherwise have been referred. Having been established for decades, we have a huge client base which comes with lots of variety in caseload.

We have a dedicated, separate out-of-hours team - Vets Now - based within the same building, enabling 24-hour care. Our nursing team is made up of 17 RVNs and 4 SVNs in various stages of their training.

How You'll Make a Difference

As Director of Practice , you will have overall responsibility for the operational, commercial and people performance of multiple practices, working closely with clinical leadership to deliver outstanding patient and client care.

You'll set and execute the strategic direction of the practices, lead multidisciplinary teams, and ensure the delivery of high standards across operations, client experience and business performance. This role plays a critical part in shaping culture, driving results and supporting sustainable growth.

Working Pattern

• Working 40 hours per week
• Across Monday - Friday
• Travel across all sites required

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the operational, commercial, and financial performance of the veterinary practice(s), working in partnership with the Leaders to achieve business and clinical objectives.
• Drive business growth through strategic planning, continuous improvement initiatives, and effective management of practice performance and budgets.
• Build, engage, and develop a high-performing team culture by providing leadership, coaching, and effective resource management.
• Ensure the delivery of exceptional clinical standards, regulatory compliance, and outstanding client and patient care across all locations.
• Champion a safe, compliant, and collaborative working environment while supporting the implementation of company goals and best practices.

You Might Be a Great Fit If...

You are a senior operational leader with strong commercial acumen and a people-centred leadership approach. You'll bring:

• Proven experience in a senior leadership role with accountability for operational and commercial performance
• Strong financial and business management capability, including experience with planning and P&L oversight
• The ability to lead, engage and develop high-performing multidisciplinary teams
• Experience leading through change and driving cultural or transformational initiatives
• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills
• Veterinary/Healthcare experience is desirable
• Multi Site experience is desirable

How We'll Support You

At inspiring vet care, we're committed to supporting you in a senior executive leadership role. When you join us, you'll benefit from:

• Overall leadership of a practice / hospital with the autonomy to shape strategy, culture and performance
• Senior-level influence across operations, client experience and business outcomes
• Opportunities to lead large-scale change and drive long-term organisational impact
• Ongoing learning and development to support executive and leadership growth
• A collaborative, values-led culture focused on care, community and continuous improvement

What We Offer Our Team

• 6.6 weeks' holiday including bank holidays plus an extra days leave
• Private medical insurance
• Enhanced family leave and pay across maternity, paternity, adoption and surrogacy
• Pension scheme
• Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (eligibility applies)
• Retail discounts and cashback offers
• Reduced-cost veterinary care for your own pets

We're committed to supporting our people through career development opportunities, wellbeing initiatives and access to world-class learning resources.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to take the next step in your career, inspiring vet care offers the support, opportunity and community to help you grow.

£0 - £60,000 a year

Up to £60,000 pa DOE