Lead Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal

IVC Evidensia; Barna; On-site; EUR 59,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Leave

Maternity/Paternity Leave

EAP & Wellbeing

CPD allowance

Pension contributions

Discounted veterinary fees

Job summary

Barna & Moycullen Veterinary Clinics are seeking an experienced Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon to step into a Lead Veterinary Surgeon position, shaping the future of two established community practices on the stunning west coast of Ireland.

This role blends high-quality clinical work with leadership, mentoring the team and developing clinical standards across Barna and Moycullen, with flexibility to pursue areas of interest and a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Experienced Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon with a lead-level remit.
• Able to lead clinical standards and mentor a team.
• Experienced in first-opinion practice with a broad caseload.

Responsibilities

• Lead clinical standards and drive excellence across both sites.
• Support, develop and mentor the veterinary and nursing team.
• Maintain a high-quality, varied caseload including consultations and surgery.
• Foster strong client relationships and community trust.

Skills

Clinical leadership

Team leadership

Small animal practice

Job description

Lead Veterinary Surgeon

Barna & Moycullen Veterinary Clinic | Galway

Full-Time | Permanent

Salary from €65,000+ DOE

Relocation Allowance Available

Lead, Develop and Grow in One of Ireland's Most Beautiful Coastal Communities

Some veterinary roles offer progression. Others offer lifestyle. This opportunity offers both.

Barna and Moycullen Veterinary Clinics are seeking an experienced Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon to step into a Lead Veterinary Surgeon position, helping to shape the future of two established and highly regarded community practices on the stunning west coast of Ireland.

This is an opportunity for a vet who enjoys high-quality first-opinion practice, values strong client relationships and is looking for the next step in their career without losing the clinical work they love. As Lead Veterinary Surgeon, you'll have the chance to influence clinical standards, support and develop a fantastic team and help guide the future direction of the practices, all while remaining actively involved in a rewarding and varied caseload.

Most importantly, this role can be shaped around you. Whether your passion lies in consulting, surgery, internal medicine, diagnostic imaging, cardiology, dermatology, dentistry or another area entirely, we are keen to invest in your interests and help you build a role that aligns with your professional ambitions.

Leadership with a Hands-On Clinical Focus

This is very much a clinical leadership role rather than a management-only position.

You'll continue to enjoy a broad and interesting small animal caseload, combining consultations, diagnostics, surgery and case continuity, while also helping to support colleagues and drive clinical excellence across both sites.

We are looking for someone who enjoys sharing knowledge, leading by example and fostering a positive team culture. Previous leadership experience would certainly be welcomed, but it is not essential. What's far more important is your approach, your ability to build strong relationships and your enthusiasm for helping both people and practices thrive.

You’ll have the autonomy to make decisions, implement ideas and influence how the clinics continue to develop, while also benefiting from the support of a wider network and a team that genuinely values collaboration.

Build a Career Around Your Interests

One of the most exciting aspects of this role is its flexibility.

We recognise that experienced vets often reach a stage in their career where they want more than simply managing a caseload. They want opportunities to deepen expertise, pursue professional interests and create something meaningful.

Whether you already hold a certificate, are considering advanced qualifications or simply have an area of practice you would like to develop further, we are committed to supporting you. Full funding is available for certificates, diplomas and further postgraduate study, and we actively encourage ongoing professional development.

As a practice, we enjoy learning from one another and continually evolving. New ideas are welcomed, and we would love to meet someone who is excited about bringing their own experience, knowledge and interests into the team.

A Practice Built Around Relationships

Barna and Moycullen Veterinary Clinics are proudly community-focused practices where relationships matter.

We know our clients well, we know their pets well, and we genuinely enjoy the personal side of veterinary practice. We believe great veterinary care is built on trust, communication and continuity, which is why we offer 20-minute consultations and encourage thorough case workups and meaningful client conversations.

Our team currently consists of two full-time vets, two part-time vets, three nurses and a receptionist. It's a close-knit, supportive group with a strong work ethic and an emphasis on teamwork, kindness and mutual respect. People help each other here, celebrate each other's successes and genuinely enjoy working together.

You’ll be joining a team that takes pride in providing high standards of care while maintaining a welcoming and enjoyable working environment.

Two Modern Clinics, One Outstanding Location

The role is primarily based in Barna, with occasional cover required in our Moycullen branch as part of the wider team approach.

Both clinics are purpose-built and well-equipped, allowing us to practise high-quality medicine and surgery. Facilities include digital radiography, ultrasound, IDEXX laboratory equipment, Mindray multiparameter monitoring and dedicated surgical facilities, with dental radiography planned as part of our continued investment in the practices.

Barna itself offers something truly special. Located just west of Galway City and moments from the coastline, it combines village charm with easy access to everything the city has to offer. The clinic is only a short walk from the pier overlooking Galway Bay, making it entirely possible to spend your lunch break watching the sea and enjoying the fresh Atlantic air.

Moycullen, meanwhile, offers a more rural setting with easy access to the breathtaking landscapes of Connemara. Together, these locations provide a unique lifestyle opportunity, allowing you to enjoy both vibrant city culture and some of Ireland's most spectacular natural scenery.

Whether your ideal weekend involves restaurants and live music in Galway City, hiking in Connemara, swimming in the Atlantic or simply enjoying a slower pace of life by the coast, this area offers an exceptional quality of life.

A Sustainable and Balanced Rota

We understand that enjoying your career also means having time to enjoy life outside of work.

The role is ideally full-time and based on 40 hours per week, although we are open to considering part-time arrangements for the right candidate. Weekly schedules can be structured across four or five days depending on individual preferences, with working hours typically falling between 8.00am and 6.00pm.

There is a shared 1 in 4 Saturday rota, alongside a shared out-of-hours commitment which forms an important part of the role. This includes approximately five to six out-of-hours weekends per year, one Bank Holiday weekend annually and two weeknight on-call shifts per month. These commitments are shared across a wider rota alongside our neighbouring IVC practices, ensuring a fair and manageable system with plenty of notice provided in advance.

Who We're Looking For

This opportunity is suited to an experienced Veterinary Surgeon who is confident in first-opinion small animal practice and comfortable performing routine surgical procedures independently.

You will be VCI registered, eligible to work in Ireland and capable of leading an established and busy practice environment. This role is not suitable for new graduates or candidates requiring significant clinical support and visa sponsorship is not available.

Most importantly, we're looking for someone who is passionate about delivering excellent patient care, building long-term client relationships and creating a positive environment where colleagues feel supported and encouraged to grow.

Invest in Your Future

At Barna and Moycullen Veterinary Clinics, we're passionate about helping our people achieve their ambitions.

Whether your goals involve clinical progression, leadership development, advanced qualifications or building a specialist area of interest, we'll provide the support, mentoring and investment needed to help you get there.

We believe the best veterinary teams are built by creating an environment where people feel trusted, valued and empowered to develop their careers in a way that feels meaningful to them.

A Benefits Package That Supports You

Work Life Balance & Employee Wellbeing

• 4.4 weeks Annual Leave & Birthday leave
• Paid Maternity, Paternity & Adoptive Leave Packages
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Full access to EAP and Wellbeing Centre
• Paid Bereavement Leave & Company Sick Pay

Development

• €1300 annual CPD allowance with 5 days paid CPD days pro rata
• Funding of any Certificates / Diplomas / PhD's you may want to pursue
• Career Progression Opportunities, both clinical and non-clinical

Professional Memberships

• VCI membership paid
• VDS cover paid

Additional Benefits

• Annual Pay Reviews
• Dedicated CARE fund - annual contribution of €1,100 from IVC Evidensia for each Vet to use on a case of your choice to ensure successful outcome with your patient (T&C's apply)
• Pawesome Benefits - reward gateway giving discounts and cashback with hundreds of retailers
• Employer Pension Contributions
• Free Flu Inoculations
• Discounted Veterinary Fees
• Opportunity to join company programmes (LGBTQ+, Wellbeing Champions, Clinical Board and many more)

More Than a Job, a Lifestyle

This is a rare opportunity to combine career progression, clinical autonomy and leadership development with an exceptional coastal lifestyle and a genuinely supportive team.

If you're looking for a Lead Veterinary Surgeon role where you can continue growing professionally, develop your own interests, influence the future of a thriving practice and enjoy everything that Galway's coastline and community have to offer, we'd love to hear from you.

Join Barna & Moycullen Veterinary Clinics and build the next chapter of your veterinary career in a place you'll be proud to call home.

€65,000 - €65,000 a year

From €65,000 + DOE