Lead Veterinary Surgeon

About the Role

You’ll step into a clinical leadership position at Rutland Veterinary Centre’s modern hospital in Uppingham, working 40 hours per week across four or five days with a 1:5 weekend rota (currently 1:10) and protected admin time. Critically, there is no on-call requirement with this role. You’ll partner with the Clinical Director to drive clinical excellence, mentor team members, and shape the future of the practice as it transitions to a dedicated night team at the sister site in Melton Mowbray from April 2026.

This is a genuinely varied small animal caseload – from routine procedures to more complex cases – giving you scope to develop, lead, and make meaningful clinical decisions. The team values collaboration and shared learning, and you’ll have access to excellent facilities including dental x-ray, laparoscope, and gastroscope.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide clinical leadership and support to the veterinary and nursing team, fostering mentorship and professional development
• Maintain high standards of clinical care and client service; drive clinical governance and ensure compliance with practice protocols
• Work alongside the Clinical Director to uphold standards of care and continue building clinical excellence
• Collaborate with the Practice Manager on rota planning, team wellbeing, and operational decisions
• Make strong clinical decisions, interpret diagnostics effectively, and manage a varied caseload from routine to complex cases
• Help build and maintain a positive team culture through empathetic, clear leadership
• Remain calm under pressure in a fast-paced environment and foster excellent client relationships

Requirements

• Qualified veterinary surgeon with proven clinical experience and confidence in decision-making
• Demonstrated or emerging leadership capability – whether you’re an experienced vet ready for your next challenge or stepping into leadership for the first time
• Strong clinical skills with ability to interpret diagnostics and manage varied small animal cases
• Commitment to high standards of care and client service
• Team player who enjoys supporting others, building culture, and leading with empathy and clarity
• Thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment

Benefits

• Competitive salary: up to £75,000 per annum depending on experience
• 5 weeks’ holiday plus bank holidays and birthday leave
• Four-day working week (or spread across five days if preferred) with built-in protected admin time
• No on-call duties
• RCVS and VDS fees paid
• Employer contribution pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Paid lunch break
• Generous staff discount for your own pets
• E-car salary sacrifice scheme
• Enhanced equal family leave
• Extensive internal CPD and funded external clinical training to pursue postgraduate certificates and clinical interests
• Leadership training and development support
• Relocation support available

About the Practice

Rutland and Kings Vets operates as a multi-site first opinion practice with RCVS-accredited branches in Corby, Market Harborough, Melton Mowbray, Oakham, and Syston, plus an RCVS-accredited veterinary hospital in Uppingham. The team pride themselves on offering on-site emergency care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, delivering high standards of bespoke, affordable care to patients and clients. The practice is heavily involved in the local community and actively supports local pet charities.

As part of the Linnaeus family (part of Mars Veterinary Health, the world’s largest family-owned veterinary company), you’ll benefit from collaborating with like-minded colleagues across the group, attending clinical, business, and leadership meetings, and contributing to veterinary excellence on a wider scale. A dedicated administrative team handles HR, health and safety, and finance, freeing you to focus on clinical excellence.