Lead Veterinary Surgeon

About the Role

This is a rare opportunity to step into clinical leadership as the practice prepares to move into a brand-new, purpose-built hospital. You'll partner with the Clinical Director to maintain clinical excellence, support team growth, and drive strategic success across day-to-day operations and business development. Working a 4-day week (8am-6pm or 8.30am-6.30pm) with protected leadership time, you'll enjoy genuine work-life balance without on-call duties. The weekend and bank holiday rota is equally shared across the team on a 1:5 basis.

This is a genuine chance to build and influence the future of a progressive small animal hospital, working alongside a collaborative, friendly team that values mentorship, communication, and continuous learning. You'll lead with purpose, making meaningful clinical decisions and setting new standards of excellence whilst supporting your continued professional development.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the veterinary team, including graduate vets, fostering a positive and supportive culture focused on clinical excellence
• Oversee the day-to-day clinical caseload and business operations, ensuring continued delivery of exceptional, bespoke, and affordable care
• Contribute to strategic growth of the practice as part of the senior leadership team within the wider Linnaeus network
• Lead clinical governance and ensure compliance with practice protocols
• Collaborate with the Practice Manager on rota planning, team wellbeing, and operational matters
• Handle a varied caseload from routine procedures to complex cases, supporting your own clinical development
• Represent practice values and commitment to clinical excellence across the Linnaeus network

Requirements

• RCVS Certificate Holder as minimum requirement (ideally with medicine or imaging bias)
• Strong clinical decision-making abilities, capable of interpreting diagnostics and making informed decisions independently
• Proven clinical leadership experience and ability to support and develop a veterinary team
• Confident, collaborative attitude with excellent client care relationship skills
• Team player who thrives in a fast-paced environment and remains calm under pressure
• Commitment to high standards of care and client services
• Experience driving clinical governance and ensuring compliance with protocols

Benefits

• Salary up to £77,000 per annum depending on experience
• 4-day week with protected administration time built into schedule
• 1:5 weekend and bank holiday rota (no on-call)
• 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays and birthday leave
• RCVS and VDS fees paid
• Employer contribution pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Generous staff discount scheme
• E-car salary sacrifice scheme
• Enhanced equal family leave
• Extensive internal and funded external CPD with support for further qualifications
• Leadership development opportunities
• Relocation support
• Access to a network of specialists and worldwide development opportunities through Linnaeus

About the Practice

Kings Veterinary Centre is part of Linnaeus and Mars Veterinary Health, the largest family-owned veterinary company in the world. Being privately owned, Linnaeus is driven by its purpose to create a better world for pets, enabling long-term thinking rather than short-term profit focus. The practice benefits from a highly skilled nursing team and robust administrative structure (HR, finance, H&S), allowing clinical staff to focus on veterinary leadership and patient care.

Linnaeus comprises over 6000 Associates across a forward-thinking partnership of primary care and referral veterinary practices across the UK and Ireland. The culture prioritises excellence in everything, with Associates empowered to speak up, step up, and deliver quality services. A commitment to inclusive, diverse culture ensures you can be authentic and perform at your best, supported by a comprehensive wellbeing package prioritising physical and mental health.