Small Animal - Clinical Director

IVC; Stranraer; On-site; GBP 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

6.8 weeks holiday incl. bank holidays

Cycle to Work scheme

Green Car scheme

Retail discounts

Job summary

inspiring vet care, based in Stranraer, Scotland, seeks a Director of Practice & Clinical Services to lead two busy sites. The role blends senior clinical leadership with strategic direction, governance, and team development across varied caseloads from dairy to small animal and horses.

You will drive standards, support colleagues, and shape how the practice grows while maintaining a strong clinical culture and high patient care across two sites.

Qualifications

• Veterinary degree and RCVS registration.
• Significant senior clinical experience in a veterinary/healthcare setting.
• Proven leadership within a complex veterinary practice or healthcare environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior clinical leadership across a large practice, hospital, or group of services.
• Lead clinical governance, quality improvement, and performance across services.
• Set and deliver the clinical vision while leading and developing high‑performing teams.
• Influence clinical standards, strategic direction, and service development.

Skills

Leadership experience

Strategic leadership

Clinical governance

Communication

Stakeholder management

Education

Veterinary degree

RCVS registration

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…

• 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

• 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.

£0 - £80,000 a year

Up to £80,000 pa DOE