Lead Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal

About the Role

As Lead Veterinary Surgeon at Abivale Vets' Wallingford branch, you'll be the most senior clinician on site, leading clinical standards, governance, and delivering outstanding patient care. This is a solo leadership position within a supportive multi-branch practice, where you'll oversee complex cases and set the clinical direction for the branch alongside the senior practice leadership team. The role includes occasional shifts at sister sites in Abingdon, Didcot, and Wantage.

Working full-time (40 hours per week on average), you'll manage the day-to-day running of the branch and build client relationships with support from a friendly team. The rota includes Saturday and Sunday shifts on a 7-week cycle (2 Saturdays and 1 Sunday every 7 weeks), with no out-of-hours or on-call duties required. Part-time applications are also considered.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead clinical standards, governance, and quality improvement initiatives across the practice
• Provide clinical leadership and guidance to the veterinary team, mentoring colleagues in complex decision-making
• Oversee complex cases and manage clinical complaints with professionalism and integrity
• Undertake general day-to-day clinical work as a sole charge veterinary surgeon
• Contribute to strategic direction and continuous improvement in clinical outcomes
• Support the senior practice leadership team on operational and clinical matters

Requirements

• Veterinary degree and current RCVS registration
• Significant experience in small or mixed animal practice with advanced surgical and medical capability
• Proven experience mentoring, coaching, and supporting veterinary colleagues
• Strong leadership, communication, and decision-making skills
• Experience with clinical governance, audits, and quality improvement initiatives
• Ability to manage clinical complaints and provide professional guidance in complex situations
• Professionalism, integrity, and commitment to high standards of patient and client care

Benefits

• Salary up to £70,000 dependent on experience
• 6.8 weeks' holiday including bank holidays
• £1,250 annual Care Fund for professional development
• CPD allowance and access to IVC academy training centres
• BVA membership, VDS cover, and RCVS fees covered
• Private medical insurance
• Enhanced family leave and pay (maternity, paternity, adoption, surrogacy)
• Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (eligibility applies)
• Retail discounts and cashback offers
• Reduced-cost veterinary care for your own pets
• Access to mentors, regional clinical coaches, and peer networks
• Clear career pathways across primary care, referral, leadership, and specialist roles

About the Practice

Abivale Veterinary Group is part of inspiring vet care, the UK's number one vet care provider, trusted with the care of over 2 million animals. The group operates four RCVS-accredited surgeries across South Oxfordshire (Abingdon, Didcot, Wallingford, and Wantage) with a team of experienced clinicians and support staff. The practices benefit from excellent equipment and a dedicated out-of-hours emergency service. Located in beautiful South Oxfordshire with good links to Oxford and London, Abivale combines countryside setting with modern veterinary facilities.

inspiring vet care is committed to a collaborative, values-led culture focused on care, community, and continuous improvement, with clear progression opportunities and world-class learning resources.