Senior Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal

British Veterinary Association; Hailsham; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A veterinary practice in East Sussex is seeking a Senior Veterinary Surgeon to lead a dedicated team and uphold high clinical standards. The ideal candidate will mentor junior staff and be proactive in practice development. This role offers a competitive salary, generous leave, and various employee wellbeing initiatives, making it a great opportunity for veterinary professionals looking to advance their careers in a supportive environment.

Benefits

6.6 weeks annual leave pro rata

Private medical insurance

CPD allowance

Discounted staff pet care

Pension scheme

Qualifications

• Must have a degree in Veterinary Medicine.
• Experience in small animal practice is preferred.
• Ability to mentor junior staff is essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead by example and uphold clinical standards.
• Mentor and train junior veterinary staff.
• Contribute to practice development and team collaboration.

Skills

Clinical standards

Mentorship

Team collaboration

Veterinary expertise

Education

Degree in Veterinary Medicine

Tools

Radiology equipment

Veterinary surgical instruments

Job description

Overview

Join Our Friendly, Forward-Thinking Practice in Beautiful East Sussex

Unique Opportunity for a Senior Veterinary Surgeon

We are excited to offer a rare and rewarding opportunity for a Senior Veterinary Surgeon to join our team. This role is perfect for someone looking to take the next step in their career, lead by example, and contribute to clinical standards, mentorship, and practice development.

You'll be joining an established small animal practice based in Hailsham, East Sussex, just 7 miles from the stunning coastline and within easy reach of Eastbourne, Brighton, London, and Gatwick Airport. Surrounded by the rolling Sussex countryside, we offer the perfect blend of rural charm and urban convenience - ideal for lovers of the outdoors who still enjoy access to city life.

Why Join Us?

At Highcroft, no two days are the same. We're known for our friendly, professional service and commitment to high-quality care for our clients and their beloved pets. Our supportive team includes experienced vets, talented nurses, and a dedicated client care team, all backed by approachable and proactive leadership.

We pride ourselves on maintaining a collaborative, positive work environment where everyone is encouraged to grow.

Our Facilities

We operate across two sites:

Hailsham (Main Practice)

• Spacious consult rooms
• Radiology suite with digital x-ray and ultrasound
• Dedicated dental suite with dental x-ray
• Full in-house IDEXX lab (including Lasercyte)
• Modern surgical theatre with operating microscope, blood pressure monitoring, pulse oximetry & capnography
• Ophthalmology equipment including tonopen
• Separate dog and cat wards
• Large, secure garden area for inpatients

Polegate (Wellness & Vaccination Clinic)

• Just 4 miles away, focused on preventative health and routine care

Work-Life Balance

• Full-time or part-time positions available
• Saturdays on a fair rota
• No Sundays, nights, or bank holidays
• Working hours: 8:00am-7:00pm (Mon-Fri), 8:30am-12:30pm (Saturdays)

Because our people matter

We recognise that our people are fundamental to the success of our business. Investing in our people, premises and processes is at the heart of what we do. In addition to a competitive base salary, you will benefit from -

Work-life balance

• 6.6 weeks annual leave pro rata
• Additional holiday entitlement for your birthday

Wellbeing

• Private medical insurance
• Enhanced family-friendly policies, including maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Initiatives focused on employee wellbeing
• Non-accidental injury support

Development

• £1250 CPD allowance with 40 hours paid pro rata
• Certificate support
• Learning and development opportunities via the IVC Evidensia Academy
• Access to Vetlexicon - our online encyclopaedia provider
• All our Vets & Nurses can apply for research funding
• All our Vets get £1250 per annum to spend via our Care Fund
• Infection Prevention and Control Programme
• Quality Improvement Programme

Professional Memberships

• BVA membership
• VDS cover
• RCVS fees

Additional

• Pawsome Benefits - reward gateway giving discounts and cashback with 100's of retailers
• Pension - 5% Employee/3% Employer
• Discounted staff pet care