Lead Clinical Director

About the Role

As Lead Clinical Director at Garston Veterinary Group, you'll guide clinical standards across a large, progressive multi-site practice based on the Somerset and Wiltshire border. You'll lead an exceptional team of 24 vets and 50+ nurses, working with advanced facilities including a 24/7 RCVS-accredited hospital and a collaborative leadership structure that values your input. This full-time permanent role offers genuine autonomy, scale, and support to shape the future of a well-established veterinary group.

The practice is genuinely sociable, with staff running clubs, dog-walking groups, and regular social events. You'll be based in a popular, accessible location surrounded by countryside yet close to Bath, the Cotswolds, Bristol, and direct train links to London. The south coast is just an hour away, making this the perfect blend of rural calm and cultural vibrancy.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead clinical standards and strategy across multiple sites within the Garston Veterinary Group
• Manage and mentor a senior leadership team, inspiring 24 vets and 50+ nurses across the practice
• Own budget management, financial performance, and KPI delivery
• Coach and develop clinical staff, setting a tone of excellence and acting as a role model
• Lead the team through change and high-pressure situations with resilience and adaptability
• Participate in monthly virtual leadership meetings and quarterly in-person clinical breakfast sessions
• Shape clinical protocols and services through clear communication and feedback from the whole team
• Work closely with your Head of Region, Medical, HR, and Central support teams within Linnaeus

Requirements

• MRCVS qualification and extensive clinical experience
• Minimum 3+ years leading a practice or leading in a multi-site practice environment
• Proven experience in managing budgets, delivering financial performance, and tracking KPIs
• Demonstrated clinical leadership with coaching and mentoring experience
• Excellent communication skills and ability to inspire teams
• Line management experience with senior leadership teams
• Resilience and adaptability to lead through rapid change and high-pressure situations

Benefits

• Salary: Up to £95,000 per annum, depending on experience
• 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays and birthday leave
• RCVS and VDS fees paid
• Life assurance and generous staff discount
• High-quality uniform
• New starter protected induction training time
• Employer pension contribution
• Enhanced equal family leave
• E-car salary sacrifice scheme
• Extensive internal and funded external CPD allowance
• Relocation and visa sponsorship support
• Access to a network of specialists and worldwide development opportunities within Linnaeus
• Comprehensive wellbeing package prioritising physical and mental health

About the Practice

Garston Veterinary Group is part of Linnaeus and Mars Veterinary Health, the largest family-owned veterinary company in the world. Being privately owned, Linnaeus is driven by purpose rather than short-term profits, with over 6,000 associates empowered to speak up, step up, and deliver quality services. The practice is progressive and well-established, with a highly experienced team including Certificate holders and a visiting Diplomate-led Ophthalmology service. All branches are ISFM Cat Friendly Clinics with dedicated feline appointment blocks.

The group operates advanced facilities across multiple sites, including modern theatres with laparoscopic equipment, digital and dental X-ray, ultrasound, full dental staging, laser therapy and orthopaedic surgery capabilities, isolation wards, well-equipped consult rooms, an onsite laboratory, and a CT scanner at the Frome hospital. Clinical interests within the group span orthopaedics, emergency and critical care, cardiology, exotics, internal medicine, ultrasound imaging, and dentistry. Out-of-hours care is delivered onsite at the 24/7 RCVS-accredited small animal hospital in Frome, fully staffed overnight by a dedicated night nurse team.