Lead Veterinary Surgeon

About the Role

This is a rare opportunity to take clinical leadership in a progressive small animal practice preparing to move into a purpose-built hospital. You'll work a 4-day week (8am–6pm or 8:30am–6:30pm) with a 1:5 weekend rota and protected leadership time built into your schedule—because balance matters. There's no on-call in this role, and the practice actively accommodates important commitments and emergencies. You'll partner closely with the Clinical Director to maintain clinical excellence, mentor colleagues including graduate vets, and help drive the strategic growth of the practice. Your varied caseload will range from routine procedures to complex cases, giving you ongoing clinical development while you build a positive team culture rooted in best-practice veterinary medicine.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day clinical caseload and business operations, ensuring exceptional patient care aligned with best-practice standards
• Mentor and support the veterinary team, including graduate vets, fostering a collaborative and supportive culture
• Contribute to strategic growth and decision-making as part of the senior leadership team
• Drive clinical governance and ensure compliance with practice protocols
• Collaborate with the Practice Manager on rota planning, team wellbeing, and operational planning
• Represent the practice values and commitment to clinical excellence within the wider Linnaeus network
• Interpret diagnostics and make informed clinical decisions in a fast-paced environment

Requirements

• Certificate Holder as a minimum (ideally with a medicine or imaging bias)
• Clinical leadership experience and ability to support and develop a veterinary team
• Strong clinical decision-making abilities and diagnostic interpretation skills
• Experience promoting high standards of patient care and client service
• Collaborative, empathetic leadership style with clarity and calm under pressure
• Team player who thrives in a supportive, fast-paced environment
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development

Benefits

• Competitive salary up to £77,000 per annum (depending on experience)
• 4-day working week with protected administration time
• 5 weeks' holiday plus bank holidays and birthday leave
• 1:5 weekend rota (equally shared across the team, no on-call)
• RCVS and VDS fees paid
• Employer contribution pension scheme
• Extensive internal and funded external CPD
• Life assurance
• Generous staff discount scheme
• E-car salary sacrifice scheme
• Enhanced equal family leave
• Leadership development opportunities
• Relocation support

About the Practice

Kings Veterinary Centre is part of Linnaeus, a forward-thinking partnership of primary care and referral practices across the UK and Ireland, and part of Mars Veterinary Health—the largest family-owned veterinary company in the world. Driven by purpose rather than short-term profit, Linnaeus brings together highly respected clinicians committed to excellence and a better world for pets. The practice boasts a skilled nursing team and robust administrative support (HR, finance, H&S), allowing you to focus on clinical leadership and patient care. With six Certificate Holders already in the business and specialists in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, the culture actively encourages further qualifications and professional growth. You'll have access to a global network of specialists, development opportunities, and a comprehensive wellbeing package supporting your physical and mental health.