Senior Veterinary Surgeon – Equine

About the Role

You’ll be stepping into a senior veterinary position at Chapelfield’s dedicated equine clinic in Brooke—a modern, purpose-built facility that opened in 2012 and has become a regional hub for advanced equine care. This is a role for an experienced equine vet ready to take the next step, working across lameness investigations, performance issues, surgical cases, and diagnostic imaging in a properly equipped environment. The clinic spans six acres with facilities most practices can only dream of: a full-sized manège, covered trot-up areas, eight-horse stabling with heated mare and foal accommodation, operating theatre, padded induction rooms, digital x-ray, ultrasonography, endoscopy and gastroscopy units, and uniquely—the only equine gamma scintigraphy (bone scan) camera in Norfolk.

You’ll be part of the wider Chapelfield group, which includes five well-established sites across Norfolk (Norwich, Long Stratton, Wymondham, Costessey, and Brooke), giving you access to collaborative support and case discussion across branches. This is genuinely flexible work: up to 40 hours per week over 4 days, with on-call duties on a manageable 1-in-6 rota. The practice actively supports flexible working arrangements, whether you need to adjust hours for school holidays, school runs, or simply achieving that work-life balance that actually matters.

Located in Norfolk’s East of England, Brooke offers a quieter pace without sacrificing professional resources or collaborative relationships.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver advanced equine veterinary care including lameness and performance investigations, surgical procedures, and diagnostic imaging
• Utilise specialist on-site facilities including the dedicated bone scan camera, operating theatre, and diagnostic equipment
• Manage on-call duties on a 1-in-6 rota, sharing out-of-hours responsibilities with colleagues
• Collaborate with the wider Chapelfield group across five sites, supporting case discussion and knowledge-sharing
• Contribute to the practice’s community involvement, including support for animal welfare charities (Dogs Trust, Cats Protection League, Venture Farm)
• Mentor and support junior veterinary staff within the equine clinic

Requirements

• Qualified veterinary surgeon with significant equine experience
• RCVS-registered and eligible to work in the UK
• Demonstrable expertise in equine medicine and surgery, particularly lameness and performance investigations
• Comfortable with diagnostic imaging and endoscopy/gastroscopy procedures
• Willing to take on-call duties on a 1-in-6 rota
• Ability to work flexibly and collaboratively within a multi-site group

Benefits

• Salary & Bonus: Up to £70,000 DOE plus welcome bonus up to £3,000
• Time Off: 6.6 weeks annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays), plus additional holiday entitlement for your birthday
• Professional Development: £1,250 CPD allowance with 40 hours paid CPD leave (pro rata), certificate support, access to IVC Evidensia Academy, Vetlexicon online encyclopaedia, and research funding opportunities available to all vets
• Professional Memberships: BVA membership, VDS cover, and RCVS fees all covered
• Wellbeing Support: Private Medical Insurance, 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, enhanced family-friendly policies (maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay), and dedicated wellbeing initiatives
• Pension & Schemes: Company pension scheme with employer contribution, Cycle to Work scheme, Green Cars Scheme (subject to eligibility)
• Additional Perks: £1,250 annual Care Fund allocation, discounted treatment for your own pets at IVC Evidensia practices, access to voluntary benefits and retail discounts/cashback

About the Practice

Chapelfield Veterinary Partnership operates five established branches across Norfolk—Norwich, Long Stratton, Wymondham, Costessey, and Brooke—delivering integrated care across small animal, equine, and exotic species. The Brooke clinic is the specialist equine facility: purpose-built and opened in 2012, it was designed from the ground up to provide advanced diagnostic and surgical capabilities. The six-acre site includes purpose-built stabling, outdoor facilities for lameness work, and uniquely houses Norfolk’s only equine gamma scintigraphy camera on a separate unit. The practice is part of IVC Evidensia, a leading veterinary group operating across the UK.

Chapelfield has a strong community ethos, working closely with Dogs Trust (running weekly operating days), Cats Protection League, Venture Farm, and other animal welfare organisations. The practice culture centres on collaboration across sites, investment in people and premises, and recognition that team wellbeing directly supports client care quality.