Director of Practice and Clinical Services – Small Animal

About the Role

This is a senior clinical leadership opportunity combining hands-on veterinary work with strategic oversight of a well-established small animal practice in Plymouth. You’ll spend approximately 75% of your time in clinical consultations and surgery, while dedicating the remainder to mentoring colleagues, leading case discussions, and developing less experienced vets and new graduates. The role is structured as full-time over four days per week, with a shared 1:4 rota for Saturday mornings (8:30am–1pm only). Out-of-hours and on-call responsibilities are managed by a nearby IVC hospital, so your evenings and nights remain your own.

You’ll be joining a friendly, experienced team of veterinary surgeons, RVNs, and dedicated client care staff in a recently refurbished practice just outside Plymouth city centre. The practice is equipped with digital and dental X-ray, ultrasound, and multiparameter monitoring—giving you excellent facilities to deliver high-quality care and support your clinical leadership vision.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide senior clinical leadership across the practice, setting and delivering the clinical vision in alignment with IVC Evidensia’s strategy, standards, and values
• Oversee clinical governance, quality improvement, and performance standards across all services
• Work closely with senior operational leaders to drive excellent patient outcomes and sustainable service delivery
• Mentor and develop the veterinary team, supporting less experienced vets and new graduates
• Lead clinical case discussions and maintain a strong clinical culture focused on continuous improvement
• Maintain accountability for clinical standards and regulatory compliance

Requirements

• Veterinary degree with current RCVS registration
• Significant senior clinical experience in a leadership capacity
• Proven track record of clinical excellence and strategic leadership
• Demonstrated experience in clinical governance, quality improvement, and regulatory compliance
• Ability to set and deliver a clinical vision while leading and developing high-performing teams
• Strong communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills
• Experience within a complex veterinary or healthcare setting (essential)

Benefits

• Salary up to £80,000 depending on experience
• Welcome bonus up to £5,000
• Relocation allowance up to £3,000
• 6.6 weeks’ holiday including bank holidays
• £1,250 annual Care Fund for professional development
• Funded CPD allowance and access to IVC Academy training centres and role-relevant courses
• Private medical insurance
• Enhanced family leave and pay (maternity, paternity, adoption, surrogacy)
• BVA membership, VDS cover, and RCVS fees covered
• Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (where eligible)
• Retail discounts and cashback offers
• Reduced-cost veterinary care for your own pets
• Clear career pathways with progression opportunities into wider executive leadership roles

About the Practice

Rosehill Veterinary Clinic is an RCVS-inspected and approved tier 2 accredited practice and veterinary nurse training centre based in Stoke, Plymouth. The practice operates a 24-hour emergency service and is known for exceptional levels of client and pet care, with 21 dedicated staff members. The surgery has recently added a new dental suite and state-of-the-art facilities, positioning it as a popular choice in the local community with competitive fees and monthly promotions.

Rosehill is part of IVC Evidensia, the UK and Europe’s leading veterinary care group comprising over 900 practices and referral hospitals. IVC Evidensia is committed to supporting careers without limits, investing in learning, innovation, and team wellbeing to create environments where veterinary professionals can grow in confidence, capability, and fulfilment at every career stage.