Lead Veterinary Surgeon

About the Role

This is your opportunity to move into clinical leadership with genuine support behind you. You’ll be based primarily at Shires Vets’ busy, purpose-built Eccleshall practice, a small but vibrant 2-vet site handling a varied small animal caseload (yes, the occasional small holder’s chickens included). Working 40 hours over 4 days with 1:6 Saturday cover and time off in lieu—no overnight on-call—this role strikes a real work-life balance.

You’ll step into the Lead role as the previous post-holder relocates closer to family, joining a well-established practice that’s been serving the Staffordshire community for over 70 years. Eccleshall itself is a vibrant market town offering excellent rural quality of life: great restaurants, pubs, outdoor spaces, and a cat café—all within easy reach of Manchester, Birmingham, and East Midlands Airport (under an hour away).

The beauty of this position is the support structure. You’ll work closely with the Clinical Director and Practice Director, attend dedicated monthly leadership meetings, and have protected non-clinical time for strategic responsibilities. An experienced and friendly nursing and PCA team, plus established admin support, have your back every day.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide clinical leadership and mentoring to the veterinary team at Eccleshall
• Work collaboratively with the Clinical Director, Practice Director, and fellow Lead Vets across the multi-site practice
• Review KPIs and performance figures; implement changes to ensure clinical and financial success within the branch and wider practice
• Support team wellbeing and handle day-to-day line management of the Eccleshall vet team
• Deliver high standards of patient and client care
• Contribute to strategic decisions affecting the practice and branch operations

Requirements

• RCVS registered Veterinary Surgeon
• Solid first opinion/primary care experience
• Confident clinician ready to step into leadership (experience as a Lead Vet is desirable but not essential—this role is designed to support first-time leaders)
• Team player with a genuine passion for high-quality patient and client care

Benefits

• Leave & Time Off: 5 weeks’ holiday plus bank holidays and birthday leave
• Professional Support: RCVS and VDS fees paid in full
• CPD & Development: Certifications encouraged with funding available; extensive internal and funded external CPD
• Pension & Protection: Employer contribution pension scheme, life assurance, and private health insurance
• Lifestyle Benefits: E-car salary sacrifice scheme, enhanced equal family leave
• Salary: Up to £65,000 depending on experience, plus £3,000 welcome bonus (direct applicants only)

About the Practice

Shires Vets has been established for over 70 years, with branches in Stone, Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford, Eccleshall, and Gnosall. The team is collaborative, friendly, and progressive, with multiple certificate holders across medicine, surgery, ophthalmology, and feline medicine. The Eccleshall site is purpose-built and well-equipped with full medical and surgical facilities, digital X-ray and ultrasound imaging, separate dog and cat waiting areas, and kennels/cattery. It’s just 10 minutes from the larger Stone Practice, so wider support is always on hand.

Shires Vets is part of Linnaeus and Mars Veterinary Health, the largest family-owned veterinary company in the world. As a privately owned group, Linnaeus is driven by purpose rather than short-term profits, offering associates access to a huge network of specialists, worldwide development opportunities, and a comprehensive wellbeing package prioritising physical and mental health.