Lead Veterinary Surgeon – Small Animal

About the Role

Sussex Coast Vets and sister practice 1066 are looking for an experienced Lead Veterinary Surgeon to take clinical ownership of their small animal services. You’ll oversee all clinical aspects across both sites (though the role is flexible—a company car is provided for travel), working in partnership with an experienced Director of Practice who’ll support your leadership.

Based in Bexhill-on-Sea, you’ll be surrounded by picturesque East Sussex countryside and a stunning coastline. The vibrant arts scene, outdoor activities, and independent restaurants make this a genuinely appealing place to live and work. Brighton is just 45 minutes away, London an hour, and Gatwick Airport equally accessible—perfect for balancing work with weekends away.

This is a role built on work-life balance. The practice offers flexible rota patterns designed to respect your personal commitments, whether that’s hobbies, family time, or simply recharging. With 6.6 weeks’ holiday (including your birthday off) and genuine flexibility on working patterns, this isn’t corporate lip service—it’s built into how the practice operates.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all clinical governance, ensuring high standards aligned with RCVS guidance, industry regulations, and IVC Evidensia best practices
• Implement and audit clinical protocols and quality improvement initiatives across both sites
• Lead and mentor a collaborative team of veterinary surgeons (including a certificate holder in orthopaedics), nurses, and support staff
• Manage clinical decision-making and case oversight for a varied small animal caseload
• Work flexibly across Sussex Coast Vets and 1066, with company car provision for site travel
• Engage with local partnerships, including RSPCA neutering schemes for cats and bull-breeds

Requirements

• Qualified Veterinary Surgeon with leadership experience or demonstrable readiness to lead
• Strong clinical knowledge and commitment to high standards of small animal care
• Experience with clinical governance, protocols, and quality improvement
• Ability to mentor and support a multi-disciplinary team
• Current RCVS registration and professional indemnity insurance

Benefits

• Salary & Relocation: Up to £80,000 pro rata (DOE), plus up to £8,000 Welcome Bonus and up to £5,000 Relocation Allowance
• Accommodation: Fully furnished 1-bedroom flat available
• Holiday & Wellbeing: 6.6 weeks’ holiday including bank holidays, plus your birthday off; enhanced family-friendly leave and pay; 24/7 confidential Employee Assistance Programme; private medical insurance
• Professional Development: £1,250 CPD allowance plus 40 hours paid CPD time; certificate and advanced learning support; access to Vetlexicon online resources; world-leading IVC Evidensia Training Centres; £1,250 annual Care Fund
• Professional Memberships: BVA membership, VDS cover, and RCVS fees covered
• Additional Perks: Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (where eligible); retail discounts and cashback offers; reduced-cost veterinary care for your own pets; company car for practice travel

About the Practice

Sussex Coast Vets, Bexhill serves the Hastings and Bexhill area with high client numbers and a genuinely varied caseload. The practice boasts state-of-the-art facilities including digital X-ray, Doppler ultrasound, endoscopy, blood analysers, and more. The team is well-established and experienced, with a strong collaborative culture and genuine commitment to animal welfare.

The practice is part of IVC Evidensia, a global leader in animal healthcare with over 2,500 clinics and hospitals across 20 countries and around 41,000 employees. Despite the corporate scale, the practice maintains its local identity and community focus, collaborating with local charities and participating in RSPCA neutering schemes.