Director of Equine Surgery

About the Role

This is a senior leadership opportunity at Donnington Grove Veterinary Group, a highly regarded equine referral centre based in Newbury. You'll take the helm of a progressive, busy equine surgical service, combining hands-on clinical expertise with strategic leadership. The role offers exposure to a comprehensive range of both soft tissue and orthopaedic surgeries in elective and emergency settings.

You'll work with a diverse client base spanning sports horses, Thoroughbred racing, breeding, and leisure sectors. This is a chance to advance clinical standards, drive innovation, and influence the future direction of equine surgical care within a supportive, values-led organisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide clinical and strategic leadership for the equine surgery department
• Deliver high-quality elective and emergency surgical procedures across soft tissue, orthopaedic, and trauma cases
• Lead service growth, innovation, and continuous clinical excellence
• Mentor and develop residents, interns, and nursing staff
• Foster a positive, collaborative team culture
• Build and strengthen relationships with referring veterinarians and clients
• Lead clinical governance, audit, and quality improvement initiatives
• Contribute to business planning and operational decision-making
• Represent the practice within the wider equine industry

Requirements

• Board certification in equine surgery (ECVS and/or ACVS)
• Strong referral-level caseload experience
• Proven expertise across orthopaedic, soft tissue, and emergency surgical procedures
• Demonstrated leadership and team development skills
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities
• Commercial awareness and strategic mindset

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Opportunity to shape and lead clinical strategy across a large referral service
• Senior-level influence over clinical standards, governance, and service development
• Support for strategic leadership development, change management, and organisational impact
• Funded learning and development including CPD allowance and access to IVC academy training centres
• £1,250 annual Care Fund for every vet
• Clear career pathways with progression into wider senior or executive leadership roles
• 6.8 weeks' holiday including bank holidays
• Private medical insurance
• Enhanced family leave and pay across maternity, paternity, adoption, and surrogacy
• BVA membership, VDS cover, and RCVS fees covered
• 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

Donnington Grove Veterinary Group is part of IVC Evidensia (inspiring vet care), the UK's number one veterinary care provider. The practice serves a broad equine clientele with a long-standing reputation for high-quality, client-focused care. The equine division combines ambulatory services, advanced diagnostics, hospitalisation, and comprehensive surgical facilities to support everything from routine and emergency care to complex surgical interventions.

IVC Evidensia is committed to supporting its people through career development, wellbeing initiatives, diversity and inclusion, and access to world-class learning resources. The organisation is a Disability Confident Employer and actively welcomes candidates from underrepresented groups.