Senior Veterinary Surgeon

PDSA; Wales; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A reputable pet healthcare provider in the UK is seeking a Senior Veterinary Surgeon to lead its Cardiff Pet Hospital. This role involves managing a dedicated team and ensuring high-quality care for pets. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills and a commitment to fostering a positive work environment. Benefits include flexible working, generous CPD allowances, and opportunities for career growth. Join a caring organization and make a lasting impact on pet welfare.

Benefits

Flexible working considered

CPD Allowance of £1000 per year

25 days holiday

Private medical insurance

Employee Assistance Program available 24/7

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Veterinary Surgeon with effective leadership skills.
• Capacity to inspire and develop a supportive team culture.
• Strong organizational skills with experience in resource management.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire the hospital team, promoting a culture of continuous improvement.
• Manage the day-to-day operations and budget of the hospital.
• Ensure clinical governance, adherence to standards, and financial sustainability.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Clinical skills

Education

Veterinary degree

Job description

About the Role:

Are you a skilled and compassionate leader? PDSA is seeking an experienced Veterinary Surgeon to head up our Cardiff Pet Hospital.

As Senior Veterinary Surgeon, you’ll provide leadership of the entire Pet Hospital Team, through the line management of the Veterinary Surgeon Team Leaders, Head Nurse and Client Service Manager. You’ll lead by example, supporting a culture of teamwork, collaboration and continuous improvement. You’ll oversee the day to day running of the hospital and ensure safe, efficient, and compassionate care for pets and their owners. You’ll be accountable for clinical quality and governance, rota and resource planning, client experience, and smooth running of the hospital in line with PDSA standards.

Your leadership will also extend to overseeing income, and expenditure at the hospital. This includes managing treatment costs and optimising PDSA resources to provide cost-effective solutions without compromising on care quality.

In essence, this role calls for a proactive, people-focused leader who can drive clinical and operational excellence while nurturing a supportive, inclusive team culture. If you are passionate about veterinary care and possess the skills to inspire, develop, and lead, we encourage you to apply and make a meaningful difference.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and inspire dedicated Receptionist, Veterinary Surgeon and Nursing teams, promoting teamwork and a culture of continuous improvement
• Manage day-to-day operations, ensuring seamless workflow and a supportive team environment
• Oversee clinical governance, ensuring adherence to high standards and cost-effective use of resources
• Take charge of budgeting for hospital treatments and ensuring financial sustainability
• Champion PDSA’s values and commitment to pet wellbeing

Benefits include:

• Flexible working considered
• 38 hours of CPD funding for ongoing development
• CPD Allowance of £1000 per year
• Excellent career growth and leadership opportunities
• Full RCVS fees
• Range of internal CPD programmes and discounts for BSAVA congress and London Vet Show
• 25 days holiday (excluding Bank Holidays) with the option to buy and sell up to 5 days per year
• Additional Wellbeing Day to recharge your batteries
• Celebration Day – an additional day off to celebrate a special day your way
• Volunteering Day – a day off to make a difference in your community
• Generous Auto-Enrolment pension and/or Contributory pension schemes starting at 5% up to 10%
• Life Assurance policy (4 x Annual Salary) for financial security
• Employee Assistance Program and Online Wellbeing Centre available 24/7
• Free Flu Vaccination
• Private medical insurance
• Cycle to Work Scheme for a healthy commute
• Wide range of discounts for Retail, Holiday and similar organisations on our fetch platform

About You:

We’re looking for a versatile, driven, and compassionate Veterinary Surgeon with a robust background in both clinical practice and people management. You’ll bring a proven track record of effective leadership, showcasing your ability to inspire and engage teams, create a positive and supportive working environment, and foster a culture of continuous learning and development.

As a natural leader, you’ll have a talent for clear, empathetic communication, allowing you to engage effectively with both clients and colleagues. Your exceptional organisational and prioritisation skills will ensure efficient day-to-day operations, guiding the team smoothly through daily workflow, handling unexpected challenges, and adapting plans as needed to meet the hospital’s goals.

Your flexible, problem‑solving approach will empower you to make sound decisions, balance clinical needs with resource management, and deliver solutions that prioritise pet wellbeing and team cohesion.

We’re looking for someone who can seamlessly blend compassion with professionalism, who thrives in a busy, collaborative environment, and who is driven to lead with integrity, positivity, and an unwavering commitment to quality care. If you’re a visionary Veterinary Surgeon eager to bring your expertise to a role where you can make a lasting impact, we’d love to hear from you.

Diversity and Inclusion:

PDSA is committed to embedding a culture of diversity and inclusion within our teams that reflect the communities we serve. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals are able to make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies and opportunity for flexible working arrangements to support team members from different backgrounds.

Application Details:

If you're interested in applying or arranging a friendly chat to learn more about this role, please reach out to [e-mail]

For any accessibility concerns, please contact us to discuss reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process.

Join us at PDSA to lead with purpose and make a difference in the lives of pets and their families.