Clinical Lead Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal

About the Role

This is a full-time clinical leadership position across Fair City and Crieff Vets' three sites in Perthshire. You'll work a structured 40-hour week: Mondays and Fridays at Fair City (Perth), Wednesdays and Thursdays at Crieff, with flexibility built in. No nights or out-of-hours on-call is required, so you can truly switch off and enjoy the stunning Scottish countryside surrounding you.

You'll be the senior clinical voice in the practice, responsible for setting clinical direction, leading governance initiatives, and supporting a team of six vets and five RVNs. The practice spans three welcoming locations: the historic Fair City site in Perth, the charming market town of Crieff, and the recently renovated Auchterarder branch with genuine growth potential. This is a chance to influence not just clinical quality, but team culture and the future of the practice itself.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead clinical standards and governance across all three sites, ensuring alignment with RCVS best practice
• Oversee complex case management and provide clinical guidance and second opinions as required
• Mentor and support the development of six veterinary colleagues, encouraging CPD and clinical progression
• Drive clinical improvement through audits, protocol development, and continuous quality initiatives
• Collaborate with the Practice Director on clinical strategy, performance metrics, and operational efficiency
• Manage clinical complaints professionally and maintain the highest standards of patient and client care
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performing team culture across all sites

Requirements

• RCVS registration as a veterinary surgeon with significant small animal practice experience
• Advanced surgical and medical capability in small animal medicine
• Proven track record mentoring and coaching veterinary colleagues
• Strong leadership, communication, and decision-making skills
• Experience contributing to or leading clinical governance, audits, and quality improvement
• Professional integrity and commitment to the highest standards of patient care

Benefits

• Salary up to £65,000 depending on experience, plus welcome bonus up to £5,000
• £1,250 annual Care Fund for professional development
• 6.8 weeks' holiday including bank holidays
• CPD allowance and access to IVC academy training centres
• BVA membership, VDS cover, and RCVS fees covered
• Private medical insurance
• Enhanced family leave including maternity, paternity, adoption, and surrogacy support
• Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (subject to eligibility)
• 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

Fair City Veterinary Group is a well-established small animal practice with roots dating back to the 1920s. Based at 32 York Place in Perth, it's the longest-established practice in the city and has served generations of local clients. The practice operates three sites: the main Perth location, a branch in Crieff (a charming market town), and a recently renovated branch in Auchterarder.

The team comprises six vets, five RVNs, three SVNs, two ACAs, and a dedicated reception team. The practice is RCVS Tier 2 accredited and offers comprehensive small animal care including surgery, hospitalisation, radiography, ultrasonography, dental services, microchipping, and laboratory testing. Advanced equipment includes laparoscopy, in-house lab facilities, dental radiography (IM3), radiography, and laser therapy. The practice is also a Veterinary Nurse Training Practice, currently training students from Oatridge College. Fair City is part of IVC Evidensia, the UK and Europe's leading veterinary care group spanning over 900 practices and referral hospitals.