Senior Veterinary Surgeon

About the Role

Wanstead Veterinary Hospital is seeking an experienced senior veterinary surgeon to lead its growing GP team in a large, dynamic hospital setting. This full-time position offers the ideal next step for an ambitious vet with hospital experience who is passionate about clinical excellence, mentorship, and team development. You'll work a 40-hour week on a 6-weekly rota that includes 1:3 Saturday and 1:6 Sunday weekend rotation, plus up to 2 bank holidays per year and last-resort on-call cover.

Wanstead sits on the outskirts of urban Essex with easy access to rural countryside relief. Transport is excellent with a short walk to Central Line tube station, and the area offers leafy green spaces including the local Bluebell Woods, plus independent restaurants, bakeries, pubs and coffee shops. Note: no on-site parking is available; public transport is advised.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver high-standard, evidence-based clinical GP care across consulting, surgery, ward and emergency departments
• Lead and participate in the clinical consulting, medical and surgical rota for hospital GP vets
• Support and guide junior vets and new graduates through your role as Vet GDP advisor, ensuring they thrive in a busy London hospital environment
• Foster a positive, productive working environment in collaboration with the Head Vet and Hospital Manager
• Set the tone for excellent communication channels between the hospital team and wider practice network
• Promote clinical CPD participation through monthly journal club initiatives
• Maintain and improve standards of clinical care across the GP team

Requirements

• Qualified veterinary surgeon with RCVS registration (MRCVS)
• Significant experience from a hospital or high-volume first-opinion practice background
• Proven capability in a fast-paced hospital setting
• Strong passion for client care and communication
• Demonstrable interest in training and mentoring junior colleagues
• Ability to lead by example and foster positive team relationships

Benefits

• Salary: £60,000 to £80,000 FTE per annum, depending on experience
• 6.6 weeks annual leave including bank holidays
• Private Medical Insurance with BUPA
• Up to £2,000 annual CPD allowance plus up to 5 paid CPD days
• Relocation assistance where applicable

About the Practice

Goddard Veterinary Group was established in 1952 and has grown across London to operate 44 neighbourhood practices, three 24-hour hospitals, an in-house nursing college, and an expanding contact centre. Wanstead Veterinary Hospital is a flagship facility providing first opinion, emergency, critical care and referral services to a network of 20 branches. The hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostics including a CT scanner, commercial laboratory, and experienced surgical teams conducting advanced orthopaedic, soft tissue and minimally invasive procedures.

The team comprises approximately 25 vets, 27 RVNs, 14 SVNs, 7 VCAs and a dedicated front-of-house team, supported by an established management structure including senior RVNs, 2 deputy head nurses, head nurse, head vet and hospital manager. Goddard is known for strong staff retention (over 20% of the team have been with the group for 10 years or more) and consistently high employee reviews. The organisation prioritises staff wellbeing through colleague forums, Mental Health First Aid trained senior managers, and wellness plans for new starters.