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Government Recruitment Service; Stranraer; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

The Veterinary Lead Scotland role with Government Recruitment Service is a senior strategic leadership post responsible for guiding geographically dispersed, multidisciplinary teams during outbreaks and other emergencies. You will influence policy and delivery of Scottish Government animal health and welfare strategies while building a positive, sustainable organisational culture.

Based in Stranraer, the post requires credibility, resilience and the ability to build partnerships across

Responsibilities

• Prioritise and deliver veterinary and technical activities to high standards per policy outcomes.
• Collaborate with Heads of Field Delivery to address performance and quality within budget.
• Lead high-impact veterinary decisions under uncertainty using evidence-based risk assessments.
• Build relationships with senior local stakeholders to influence compliance with strategies.
• Monitor consistency of quality and safety standards for Veterinary Development Partnership contractors.
• Support APHA's vision, leadership, and national policy initiatives.

Job description

Are you an experienced veterinary leader with the vision, credibility and resilience to lead Scotland's animal health and welfare delivery services, influencing policy and decision-making at the highest levels?Do you thrive in strategic leadership roles, inspiring high-performing teams and building strong partnerships across government and industry to safeguard animal health, welfare and biosecurity?

If so, we would love to hear from you!

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, because it helps us be more innovative and make better decisions.

We are dedicated to being an inclusive employer, offering equitable opportunities for all individuals. Our goal is to build a diverse workforce, and we hope to attract applications from all backgrounds and underrepresented groups.

The Veterinary Lead Scotland is a senior strategic leadership role responsible for leading geographically dispersed, multidisciplinary teams during and between animal disease outbreaks and other emergency situations. The postholder must quickly establish credibility with staff and stakeholders, provide clear direction and priorities, and support the delivery of Scottish Government animal health and welfare policies while continuing to build a positive, supportive, and sustainable organisational culture.

The role provides high-level veterinary leadership, including contributing to the implementation of APHA's veterinary and technical strategy, overseeing clinical governance across a range of operational settings, and representing APHA at strategic boards and national, and occasionally international, forums. The successful candidate will also lead key relationships across APHA, government, and external stakeholders while undertaking significant line management responsibilities as a senior leader within the agency.

A key aspect of the role is driving organisational change and modern ways of working. The Veterinary Lead Scotland will be expected to role model APHA values, embed cultural improvements, and support a flexible, agile, and digitally enabled approach through effective matrix management and collaborative leadership.

Your responsibilities will also include, but are not limited to:

• Ensuring that all veterinary and technical activities areprioritised anddeliveredtothe highest standards,in accordance withdesired policy outcomes, businessplansand standard operating procedures.

• Working with therelevant,Headsof Field Delivery (HoFD) toaddress performanceandquality,using riskmanagementand adhering to budgetary controls to ensure value fortaxpayers'money.

• Leading on veterinary decisions that have the potential for high impact with high uncertainty. Deploying risk assessments that are based on the mostaccurateavailable evidence, making informed decisions that have included policy considerations.

• Building effective relationships with local senior stakeholders and partners to influence end user behaviourregardingcompliance with animal health and welfare strategies and policies.

• Working with APHA colleagues tomonitorand assure consistency of compliance with quality and safety standards of the Veterinary DevelopmentPartnership contractors in their area.

• Delivering the APHA vision to all staff and contributing to the corporate leadership of the Agency.

• Contributing to the design, development and implementation of national policy initiatives and reforms, undertaking important roles on programme boards, projectteamsand working groups.

• Contribute to and promote directly orindirectly, training initiatives, staff development opportunities and ensureappropriate successionplanning.

• Line management ofa team ofVeterinary Advisors

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Veterinary Lead Scotland

Company: Government Recruitment Service
Salary: £69,931 to £78,115 a year
Hours: Full-time
Location: Stranraer
Job type: Permanent
Posting date: 21 Sept 2026
Closing date: 8 Oct 2026

Summary

Are you an experienced veterinary leader with the vision, credibility and resilience to lead Scotland's animal health and welfare delivery services, influencing policy and decision-making at the highest levels?Do you thrive in strategic leadership roles, inspiring high-performing teams and building strong partnerships across government and industry to safeguard animal health, welfare and biosecurity?

If so, we would love to hear from you!

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, because it helps us be more innovative and make better decisions.

We are dedicated to being an inclusive employer, offering equitable opportunities for all individuals. Our goal is to build a diverse workforce, and we hope to attract applications from all backgrounds and underrepresented groups.

The Veterinary Lead Scotland is a senior strategic leadership role responsible for leading geographically dispersed, multidisciplinary teams during and between animal disease outbreaks and other emergency situations. The postholder must quickly establish credibility with staff and stakeholders, provide clear direction and priorities, and support the delivery of Scottish Government animal health and welfare policies while continuing to build a positive, supportive, and sustainable organisational culture.

The role provides high-level veterinary leadership, including contributing to the implementation of APHA's veterinary and technical strategy, overseeing clinical governance across a range of operational settings, and representing APHA at strategic boards and national, and occasionally international, forums. The successful candidate will also lead key relationships across APHA, government, and external stakeholders while undertaking significant line management responsibilities as a senior leader within