Lead Veterinary Surgeon

About the Role

This is a permanent full-time leadership opportunity combining genuine clinical autonomy with hands-on veterinary work. You'll work 42 hours per week across four days, including either 1 in 3 Saturdays or 1 full weekend in 6 (with time off in lieu). Based in Berkhamsted, a charming Chiltern market town with excellent connectivity to London, this role offers the ideal balance of countryside living and professional accessibility.

You'll join an established, stable team of four RVNs and four client care assistants, working alongside one other vet who specialises in exotic animals. The practice benefits from a loyal, affluent client base with high insurance levels, allowing thorough case work and high-quality medicine. Access to St Albans Hospital provides additional clinical support, equipment, and ongoing development opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Berkhamsted team with autonomy and clinical influence whilst maintaining a varied first-opinion caseload
• Take ownership of clinical decisions, managing routine medical and surgical cases independently
• Mentor and support nursing and client care staff, fostering a positive team culture
• Build and maintain strong, long-term client relationships
• Collaborate with colleagues across the wider Village Vet and St Albans Hospital network
• Deliver high standards of patient and client care in small animal medicine and surgery

Requirements

• Minimum 5 years' UK general practice experience
• Confident managing routine medical and surgical cases independently
• Strong interest in companion animal medicine, particularly dogs and cats
• Excellent communication and client relationship skills
• Passion for mentoring and creating a positive team environment
• Previous leadership experience welcomed but not essential for candidates ready to step up

Benefits

• Competitive salary up to £75,000 depending on experience
• Relocation support available for direct candidates
• 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays and birthday leave
• RCVS and VDS fees paid
• External CPD funded plus extensive free Linnaeus online CPD programme
• Enhanced sickness pay and enhanced equal family leave
• Life assurance and employer contribution pension scheme
• Staff discount schemes
• Employee assistance programme and eyecare voucher scheme
• Free annual flu jab and cycle to work scheme
• E-car salary sacrifice scheme
• Recruitment referral reward scheme
• Career progression opportunities within Linnaeus network

About the Practice

Village Vet Berkhamsted is part of Linnaeus and Mars Veterinary Health, the largest family-owned veterinary company in the world. Linnaeus comprises highly-respected primary care and referral practices across the UK and Ireland, united by a commitment to excellence and their purpose: A Better World for Pets.

The Berkhamsted practice operates alongside St Albans Hospital, creating a combined resource with access to additional clinical support, specialist colleagues, and equipment. The practice serves an affluent, loyal client base with high insurance levels, enabling thorough case management and high-quality medicine. Berkhamsted itself offers the perfect balance of historic charm, countryside views within the Chilterns, and convenient transport links into London and surrounding areas.