Lead Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal

About the Role

Dragon Vets, part of inspiring vet care, is seeking an enthusiastic Veterinary Surgeon to join their Rissington branch as a Lead Vet. In this leadership position, you'll help shape the future of the branch by developing staff and supporting senior management to ensure the site thrives. You'll work primarily at Rissington (3 days per week) plus 1 day per week at another inspiring vet care site, giving you variety without constant moving around.

This is a full-time role working 37 hours over 4 days per week with 1:4 Saturday mornings. Crucially, there is no out-of-hours or on-call requirement. You'll be part of a large, dedicated team of vets, nurses, and support staff delivering excellent client and patient care, with access to a huge client base offering diverse caseload and genuine opportunities for clinical development.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead clinical work within the small animal practice, working alongside 16 veterinary surgeons including certificate holders with advanced practitioner status in small animal surgery, cardiology, and medicine
• Help develop and support the nursing team, comprising 17 RVNs and 4 SVNs
• Support senior management in ensuring the branch thrives and grows
• Contribute to evidence-based medicine culture with regular clinical discussions and peer support
• Perform complex surgeries and treat intensive medical cases using in-house specialist equipment including CT, DR imaging, rigid and flexible endoscopy, high-end Doppler ultrasonography, and surgical facilities with laparoscopic and TPLO kits
• Mentor junior vets and nursing staff, fostering a supportive team environment

Requirements

• Qualified veterinary surgeon (MRCVS)
• Experience in small animal practice
• Leadership or mentoring experience is desirable but not essential
• Ability to work collaboratively within a large team
• Evidence-based approach to clinical practice

Benefits

• Salary up to £70,000 depending on experience
• Relocation allowance up to £5,000
• 6.8 weeks' holiday including bank holidays
• £1,250 annual Care Fund for professional development
• CPD allowance and funded access to IVC academy training centres and role-relevant courses
• Clear career pathways with progression opportunities across primary care, referral, leadership, and specialist roles
• Access to mentors, regional clinical coaches, and peer networks
• Private medical insurance
• Enhanced family leave and pay (maternity, paternity, adoption, surrogacy)
• BVA membership, VDS cover, and RCVS fees paid
• Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (eligibility applies)
• Retail discounts and cashback offers
• Reduced-cost veterinary care for your own pets
• Work-life balance: no out-of-hours or on-call duties
• Flexibility available for both part-time and full-time arrangements

About the Practice

Dragon Vets is an established small animal practice located in the heart of Cheltenham, renowned for horse racing and a vibrant bar and restaurant scene. The practice has invested significantly in specialist equipment including CT, DR imaging, rigid and flexible endoscopy, high-end Doppler ultrasonography, and well-equipped operating facilities. The team comprises 16 veterinary surgeons, including certificate holders with advanced practitioner status in small animal surgery, cardiology, and medicine, and values evidence-based practice with readily available colleague support.

Part of inspiring vet care, the UK's number one vet care provider, Dragon Vets functions as more than a first-opinion practice, often performing complex surgeries and treating intensive medical cases. With a dedicated separate out-of-hours team (Vets Now) based in the same building, the practice provides 24-hour care for its large client base built over decades.