Small Animal - Clinical Director

Academy Vet Centre, Stranraer; Stranraer; On-site; GBP 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Welcome bonus

Relocation allowance

Job summary

Academy Vet Centre, Stranraer, invites applications for a Director of Practice & Clinical Services to lead our busy mixed practice across two sites. The role focuses on senior clinical leadership, setting standards, and guiding a multidisciplinary team across dairy fertility, small animal care, surgery, and health planning.

You will drive clinical governance and continuous improvement, with a strong emphasis on developing staff and shaping the strategic direction of two busy sites, Stranraer and

Qualifications

• Veterinary degree with RCVS registration and significant senior clinical experience.
• Proven leadership experience within a complex veterinary or healthcare setting.
• Strong expertise in clinical governance, quality improvement, and regulatory compliance.
• The ability to set and deliver a clinical vision while leading and developing high-performing teams.
• Strong communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior clinical leadership across a large practice, hospital, or group of services.
• Oversee clinical governance, quality improvement, and regulatory compliance.
• Set and deliver a clinical vision while leading and developing high-performing teams.

Skills

Leadership

Clinical governance

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

Veterinary degree

RCVS registration

Tools

Ultrasound

Digital radiography

Idexx suite

Job description

Salary up to £80,000 DOE, Welcome Bonus up to £3,000 plus Relocation Allowance up to £3,000

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.

Here at Academy Vets, we are looking for a Director of Practice & Clinical Services to join our team. We are a busy mixed practice in the Southwest of Scotland. Although this role would suit either a Small Animal or Farm vet it is truly mixed with no two days the same from dairy fertility, small animal consulting and surgery to health planning, fertility testing and horses, we have it all! Not to mention the strong leadership qualities this role will require to lead & support this highly driven team. Rota patterns that work for you.

Our people are at the heart of everything that we do, that’s why we know that work-life balance is vital in supporting our people to be their best selves. Our flexible approach to rota patterns and working hours offers a balance that truly flexes with you and your lifestyle no matter what stage you are in your career. The rota includes working 5 days per week from 8:30am-6:00pm with an hour lunch break. We have a weekend rota and provide our own out of hours currently. As a RCVS accredited farm and small animal general practice have the facilities you would expect. We have the latest small animal and large animal ultrasound, bull and tup fertility kit, digital radiography and Idexx suite.

Galloway has lots to offer for the outdoors enthusiast and our Vets enjoy the local beaches for paddleboarding and the Southern Uplands for walking and camping. Our main practice is in Stranraer with a branch in Newton Stewart. We have a superb team of 9 Vets , 4 Registered Veterinary Nurses, 3 Auxiliary Nurses, 4 Receptionists and a Practice Manager.

This role offers the best of both worlds. Around 80% of your time will be spent in practice, working across a varied and rewarding caseload, from consults to surgery. Alongside this, you will play a key leadership role, supporting and developing your colleagues, guiding clinical discussions and helping to build confidence in less experienced vets and new graduates.

You’ll also have the opportunity to influence how the practice grows and evolves, contributing to clinical standards, continuous improvement and a strong, collaborative culture across two busy sites.

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.

How You’ll Make a Difference

As Director of Practice & Clinical Services, you will provide senior clinical leadership across a large practice, hospital, or group of services, setting and delivering the clinical vision in line with inspiring vet care’s strategy, standards, and values.

You’ll oversee clinical governance, quality improvement, and performance across services, working closely with senior operational leaders to drive excellent patient outcomes, sustainable service delivery, and a strong clinical culture. This role combines strategic leadership with accountability for clinical standards, people development, and continuous improvement.

Working Pattern

• Full time 40 hours per week
• 1 in 4 Saturdays

You Might Be a Great Fit If...

You are a senior veterinary leader with a strong track record of clinical excellence and strategic leadership. You’ll bring:

• A Veterinary degree with RCVS registration and significant senior clinical experience
• Proven leadership experience within a complex veterinary or healthcare setting
• Strong expertise in clinical governance, quality improvement, and regulatory compliance
• The ability to set and deliver a clinical vision while leading and developing high-performing teams
• Strong communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills

How We’ll Support You

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

• The opportunity to shape and lead clinical strategy across a large practice, hospital, or group of services
• Senior-level influence over clinical standards, governance, and service development
• Support to further develop strategic leadership, change management, and organisational impact
• Funded learning and development including CPD allowance and access to IVC academy training centres & role-relevant courses
• £1,250 annual Care Fund for every vet
• Clear career pathways with progression opportunities into wider senior or executive leadership roles
• A collaborative, values-led culture focused on care, innovation, and continuous improvement

What We Offer Our Team

• 6.8 weeks’ holiday including bank holidays
• Private medical insurance
• Enhanced family leave and pay across maternity, paternity, adoption and surrogacy
• BVA membership, VDS cover & RCVS fees
• 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.

Up to £80,000 pa DOE