About the Role
This Head Veterinary Surgeon opportunity is based with Firstvets Group in Newcastle upon Tyne, and offers the chance to step into a senior leadership role while staying hands-on clinically. The practice is open to both full-time and part-time applicants, with flexible working arrangements available, and the rota is 40 hours per week.
You will be joining a first opinion team where leadership, mentoring and clinical confidence all matter. The role includes surgical, medical and emergency cases, and there is support from the Senior Clinical Director alongside colleagues across the wider group.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, motivate and support the veterinary team.
- Maintain strong clinical standards and a culture of high-quality patient and client care.
- Work with the Practice Manager on clinical standards, service development and strategic planning.
- Carry out veterinary team management tasks, including check-ins, competency assessments, salary discussions and rota planning.
- Contribute to business performance through budgeting, financial planning and client service optimisation.
- Manage surgical, medical and emergency cases with confidence.
- Introduce progressive medical and surgical techniques where appropriate.
- Build trusted client relationships through compassionate communication.
Requirements
- You will be an experienced Veterinary Surgeon.
- Strong clinical capability is required.
- You should be comfortable coaching, mentoring and supporting colleagues.
- A proactive, solutions-focused approach is needed.
- You should be resilient, positive and a team player.
- Leadership experience is expected for this Head Veterinary Surgeon role.
Benefits
- Salary up to £80,000 per annum, DOE.
- RCVS and VDS fees paid in full.
- Generous CPD allowance, BSAVA library access, 450 plus courses, and fully funded postgraduate qualifications including CertAVP and PgCert, with tuition, exams and study leave covered.
- Up to 33 days holiday, with the option to buy or sell leave.
- CVS Pension Scheme.
- Access to Vet Oracle telemedicine specialists, the Advanced Clinical Services Network and Regional Clinical Leads for case support and mentoring.
- Health cash plan, Employee Assistance Programme, Wellbeing Champions and enhanced family leave policies.
- Staff pet care discounts, including 50% off services, MiPet food and medications.
- 40 hours per week, with part-time and flexible options available.
About the Practice
Firstvets operates across three sites, Heaton, Forest Hall and North Shields. The team includes long-standing experienced Vets, RVNs, SVNs, Patient Care Assistants and receptionists, with support from the Senior Clinical Director.
The practice places patient and client care at the centre of its work and offers a range of facilities including biochemistry, haematology, x-ray and ultrasound, with dental radiography in progress. It is part of CVS Group.
