Senior Surgical Vet – Small Animal

About the Role

This is a senior surgical position with real clinical leadership at its heart. You’ll split your time between the operating theatre—where your advanced surgical skills will drive clinical excellence—and consultation work. The practice is in the middle of an exciting refurbishment, and you’ll play a key role in shaping its future direction. Working full-time or part-time (flexible arrangements available), your schedule covers Monday–Friday 8:00am–7:00pm, with Saturday mornings on a shared 1:4 rota. There are no Sundays, night shifts, or bank holiday working required.

Highcroft sits 7 miles from the East Sussex coastline, nestled in rolling countryside but close to Eastbourne, Brighton, London, and Gatwick Airport—perfect for those who want rural charm with easy access to city life. You’ll be joining a supportive, experienced team that genuinely backs one another and celebrates collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead surgical cases and oversee clinical standards across the practice, ensuring alignment with RCVS guidance and IVC Evidensia best practices
• Drive clinical governance, quality improvement initiatives, and continuous advancement of patient care
• Mentor and develop the veterinary and nursing team, fostering clinical excellence and professional growth
• Manage the clinical aspects of the practice’s two-site operation (Hailsham main practice and Polegate wellness clinic, 4 miles apart)
• Contribute to strategic decision-making around clinical services and practice operations
• Conduct consultations alongside surgical work, maintaining a balanced caseload

Requirements

• MRCVS-qualified with substantial clinical experience and advanced surgical competence
• Proven leadership skills or genuine ambition to lead and develop a team
• Strong understanding of clinical standards, protocols, and RCVS regulations
• Knowledge of practice operations and financial management
• Excellent communication and team-building abilities
• Commitment to continuous improvement and clinical excellence
• Reliable transport to travel between the Hailsham and Polegate sites

Benefits

• Salary & Bonuses: Up to £78,000 DOE, welcome bonus up to £5,000, plus relocation allowance up to £6,000
• Time Off: 6.6 weeks’ holiday including bank holidays, plus your birthday off
• CPD & Learning: £1,250 CPD allowance plus 40 hours paid CPD time, access to Vetlexicon online resources, advanced learning support, and world-leading IVC Evidensia Training Centres
• Professional Support: £1,250 annual Care Fund for every vet, BVA membership, VDS cover, and RCVS fees covered
• Health & Wellbeing: Private medical insurance, enhanced family-friendly leave and pay, 24/7 confidential Employee Assistance Programme
• Additional Perks: Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (eligibility applies), retail discounts and cashback offers, reduced-cost veterinary care for your own pets

About the Practice

Highcroft Veterinary Group is an established small animal practice based in Hailsham, East Sussex, offering high-quality care to dogs, cats, and small pets. The practice is part of IVC Evidensia, giving it the independence of a local practice combined with the backing of a global veterinary group. This year brings exciting changes with a significant practice refurbishment underway.

The Hailsham main site is exceptionally well-equipped with spacious consult rooms, a full radiology suite (digital X-ray and ultrasound), dedicated dental suite with dental X-ray, in-house IDEXX lab (including Lasercyte), surgical theatre with operating microscope and monitoring equipment (blood pressure, pulse oximetry, capnography), ophthalmology equipment including tonopen, and separate dog and cat wards with a large secure garden for inpatients. The Polegate wellness clinic (4 miles away) focuses on preventative health and routine care. The team prides itself on collaborative, positive culture where everyone supports one another daily.