Lead Veterinary Surgeon

Inspiring Vet Care; Oundle; On-site; GBP 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

6.8 weeks holiday including bank holidays

Private medical insurance

£1,250 annual Care Fund

Cycle to Work scheme

Reduced-cost veterinary care for pets

Job summary

Inspiring Vet Care is seeking a Lead Veterinary Surgeon to join their collaborative team based in Oundle, North Northamptonshire. With a salary up to £70,000, plus bonuses, this role focuses on clinical leadership and advancing veterinary care standards.

The ideal candidate will have a veterinary degree, RCVS registration, and experience in mentoring. The practice offers career development opportunities, a supportive culture, and a commitment to employee wellbeing.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in small or mixed animal practice.
• Proven experience in mentoring and supporting veterinary colleagues.
• Strong communication and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead clinical standards and governance as the most senior vet.
• Provide clinical leadership and oversee complex cases.
• Ensure excellent client care across multiple sites.

Skills

Veterinary degree

Leadership skills

Clinical governance experience

Surgical and medical capability

Mentoring and coaching

Education

RCVS registration

Job description

Salary up to £70,000 FTE DOE, plus a Welcome Bonus up to £5,000 and a Relocation Allowance up to £5,000

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.

Our practice group consists of a dynamic team of 14.5 FTE Vets, with a mix of skills including an exotic specialist and certificate holders. We regularly hold clinical meetings to share knowledge and ideas, and we are committed to investing in new equipment to support best practice. There is a strong ethos of collaboration, so you’ll always feel part of a larger team, even while working across multiple locations.

The practices are located in North Northamptonshire, a region offering a perfect balance of lifestyle and affordability. You will be based in Corby, a growing town with expanding opportunities, Oundle, a beautiful Georgian market town, or Thrapston, a traditional market town with a welcoming community. This region boasts excellent transport links, cultural heritage, and a welcoming environment.

If you’re ready to take on a leadership role and advance your veterinary career with a supportive and innovative group, we would love to hear from you!

How You’ll Make a Difference

As Lead Veterinary Surgeon, you will be the most senior veterinary clinician within the practice, responsible for leading clinical standards, governance, and the delivery of outstanding patient and client care. You’ll provide clinical leadership to the veterinary team, oversee complex cases, and act as the primary source of clinical guidance and decision‑making within the practice. Working closely with the senior practice leadership team, you’ll support the strategic direction of the practice and drive continuous improvement in clinical quality, outcomes, and ways of working.

Are you a motivated Veterinary Surgeon looking to take the next step in your career? Sampson Park Group is seeking a Clinical Lead Veterinary Surgeon to join our progressive and supportive practice. This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key role in shaping clinical standards, mentoring colleagues, and collaborating with an engaged and forward‑thinking team. As Clinical Lead, you will be surgically competent and passionate about driving clinical growth while delivering outstanding patient care and client experiences. Leadership experience is desirable but not essential.

In this role, you will have the chance to work with a supportive team where resource sharing, collaboration, and innovative thinking are central to our ethos. You will also be part of a close‑knit team that values empathy and care for both patients and clients. Our network of Clinical Lead Vets ensures you are never without support, and we offer plenty of opportunities for professional development, including monthly area networking meetings and access to group‑wide training centres.

Based primarily across our three central sites in North Northamptonshire (Oundle, Thrapston, Corby), this full‑time position offers flexibility in working hours, with a 40‑hour week plus one in 6 Saturdays 8:30am – 5pm at Oundle and 1 in 6 Saturdays 8:30am – 12pm at Oundle or Thrapston.

You will be responsible for ensuring excellent client care across our three sites while helping to lead the team in advancing clinical excellence.

You Might Be a Great Fit If…

• A Veterinary degree and registration with the RCVS with significant experience in small or mixed animal practice, with advanced surgical and medical capability
• Proven experience in mentoring, coaching, and supporting veterinary colleagues
• Strong leadership, communication, and decision‑making skills
• Experience contributing to or leading clinical governance, audits, and quality improvement initiatives
• The ability to manage clinical complaints and provide professional guidance in complex situations
• Professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to the highest standards of patient and client care

How We’ll Support You

• Clear career pathways with progression opportunities across primary care, referral, leadership, and specialist roles
• 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
• Access to mentors, regional clinical coaches, and peer networks
• Support to develop clinical interests and expand your capabilities
• A collaborative, values‑led culture focused on care, community, 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.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analysing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.