Lead Veterinary Surgeon

About the Role

This is a rare opportunity to step into clinical leadership at an established Melton Mowbray practice preparing for an exciting move into a purpose-built hospital opening April 2026. As Head Veterinary Surgeon, you’ll partner with the Clinical Director to maintain clinical excellence, mentor your team, and drive the practice’s strategic growth—all while working four days a week with protected leadership time built into your schedule.

You’ll oversee the day-to-day clinical caseload and business operations, delivering exceptional, bespoke care rooted in best-practice medicine. This is not a sole charge role; you’ll work alongside an experienced, stable clinical team and a highly skilled nursing staff. There’s no on-call requirement, but weekend and bank holiday day rotas are equally shared among the team, ensuring genuine work-life balance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor colleagues, including graduate vets, fostering a positive, supportive culture
• Oversee clinical decision-making and case management across the practice
• Support the smooth transition from the current Melton Mowbray site into the new hospital facility
• Contribute to strategic growth planning 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 improvements
• Represent practice values and clinical excellence within the wider Linnaeus network
• Interpret diagnostics and make informed clinical decisions across a varied caseload

Requirements

• Minimum: Postgraduate Certificate in a clinical discipline (essential for PSS Hospital status)
• Proven clinical leadership experience with the ability to mentor and support a veterinary team
• Confident clinical decision-making skills and ability to manage complex cases
• Certificate holder (medicine bias or imaging preferred, but not required)
• Strong communication and empathetic leadership style
• Team player who thrives under pressure whilst maintaining calm professionalism
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Practice Manager on operations and wellbeing initiatives
• Commitment to clinical governance and best-practice protocols

Benefits

• Salary: Up to £75,000 per annum (depending on experience)
• Four-day week, 8am–6pm or 8:30am–6:30pm (with protected administration time)
• No on-call requirement; equally shared weekend/bank holiday day rota
• Five weeks’ holiday plus bank holidays and birthday leave
• RCVS and VDS fees paid
• Employer contribution pension scheme
• Generous staff discount
• Life assurance
• E-car salary sacrifice scheme
• Enhanced equal family leave
• Extensive internal and funded external CPD support
• Relocation support available
• Access to leadership development opportunities

About the Practice

Kings Veterinary Centre is part of Linnaeus and Mars Veterinary Health, the largest family-owned veterinary company in the world. Operating from 1–3 Kings Road, Melton Mowbray, the practice serves the local community with small animal care and is preparing for a significant expansion into a new purpose-built hospital complete with CT imaging—opening April 2026. The existing team is stable, experienced, and collaborative.

Within Linnaeus, you’ll join over 6,000 associates across a network of specialists with worldwide development opportunities. The company prioritises inclusive culture, mental and physical wellbeing, and long-term thinking. As part of Mars Veterinary Health, the practice is driven by purpose—creating a better world for pets—rather than short-term profits alone.