Principal Clinical Veterinarian: Small Animal Primary Care Service

University of Cambridge; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

41 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Hybrid working

Onsite parking

Family friendly policies

PD & development team

Wellness programme

Staff discount

Cycle to work

Travel loans

Eye care voucher

Gym membership

Job summary

University of Cambridge, QVSH General Practice, seeks a Principal Clinical Veterinarian: Small Animal Primary Care to lead the clinical team and oversee the development of the newly launched General Practice. You will drive service quality, teaching integration for veterinary undergraduates, and ensure financial sustainability of the QVSH and Department of Veterinary Medicine.

The role requires experience in small animal practice, leadership of a clinical team, and a commitment to high standards

Qualifications

• Experienced small animal veterinary surgeon with strong first opinion clinical skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire the small animal primary care team.
• Oversee high standards of clinical care and operational efficiency.
• Drive growth of QVSH General Practice and support financial sustainability.
• Contribute to teaching and clinical education for undergraduates.

Skills

Veterinary surgeon

Job description

The QVSH is an integral part of the Department of Veterinary Medicine, providing a multidisciplinary small animal referral hospital, alongside our primary care services. Our small animal primary care services include the QVSH General Practice and veterinary clinical services provided to the local Cambridge branch clinic of the RSPCA. Teaching and learning are at the heart of our clinical activities, with our veterinary undergraduate students participating in the management of these cases as opportunities to develop their clinical experience, knowledge and skills, under the supervision of our clinicians.

The Role

As Principal Clinical Veterinarian: Small Animal Primary Care, you will lead and inspire the small animal primary care team, ensuring the sustained growth and development of the QVSH General Practice, launched in April 2025, alongside the continued provision of veterinary services to the RSPCA Cambridge clinic. This new role presents an exciting opportunity to shape the future of the small animal primary care services at the QVSH, leading the General Practice to provide a diverse and robust primary care caseload that will support the delivery of high-quality clinical teaching to undergraduate veterinary students and contribute to the financial sustainability of the QVSH and Department of Veterinary Medicine.

Key Responsibilities

Working within the Hospital's operational leadership structure, you will oversee small animal primary care services, ensuring high standards of clinical care and operational efficiency. You will lead the primary care clinical team, promote professional development, and work with the Hospital's Management team to deliver clinical services, drive operational and service improvements, support high clinical standards, maintain regulatory compliance, and meet educational, financial, patient and client care targets.

You will manage the day-to-day provision of small animal primary care services, leading in the delivery of all aspects of high-quality clinical patient care, optimised workflows and operational efficiency, customer service and sustainable business performance. You will implement the Department's strategy for the growth and development of the small animal QVSH General Practice, actively contributing to the marketing, communication and promotion of primary care services. You will oversee and participate in the clinical teaching of veterinary undergraduates at the QVSH General Practice and RSPCA clinic. You will be expected to contribute to fostering a positive learning environment for staff and student development. The role requires the flexibility to participate in a weekend working and out of hours on-call rota

About You

You are an experienced small animal veterinary surgeon with strong first opinion clinical skills and an accomplished background in the operational management of a small animal general practice. You have the commercial acumen and awareness to support an increasing caseload and to drive practice growth towards financial sustainability. You are committed to high standards of care, customer service and collaborative working. You have the skills, experience and values to contribute positively to an exceptional clinical education for veterinary students.

Benefits

• 41 days' annual leave inclusive of bank holidays


• Generous defined benefit pension scheme


• Flexible working arrangements, with scope for informal hybrid working in line with service needs


• Onsite parking (subject to need/availability)


• Enhanced family friendly policies


• Access to a dedicated Personal and Professional Development team


• Wellness programme including Occupational Health team and Staff counselling


• Staff discount scheme including shopping vouchers


• Cycle to work scheme


• Travel to work loans


• Eye care voucher scheme


• Discounted gym membership

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to: Oliver Falconbridge, Clinical Business & Operations Manager, via email: [e-mail]

Please quote reference PP51513 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.