Senior Veterinary Surgeon – Small Animal

About the Role

Unicorn Vets is seeking a confident Senior Veterinary Surgeon to take full clinical ownership of their Park Surgery branch in Southampton. This is a sole charge position offering genuine autonomy and leadership, ideal for an experienced vet ready to drive a practice forward. You’ll work 40 hours per week across four or five days with a 1:6 Saturday morning rota (8:30am–12:30pm)—no out-of-hours or on-call commitments. Part-time arrangements are also welcome.

Based in Southampton for over 30 years, Unicorn Vets operates two established practices and is preparing the Park branch for an upcoming refurbishment. You’ll enjoy a varied small animal caseload and real scope to shape services, pursue clinical interests, and manage case continuity with full autonomy to refer where appropriate.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide clinical leadership and full solo ownership of the Park Surgery branch with day-to-day support from two RVNs and a receptionist
• Manage a varied small animal caseload including dogs, cats, rabbits, and small furries—balancing consultations and surgery throughout the day
• Drive case continuity and develop cases to high standards while making independent referral decisions
• Shape practice services and pursue your own clinical interests with high-level independence
• Support the wider group and neighbouring branches as needed
• Contribute to continued learning and professional development within the practice

Requirements

• Qualified veterinary surgeon with significant experience in small animal practice
• Confidence and autonomy to work as sole charge with clinical leadership capability
• Strong clinical skills and commitment to high standards of patient care
• Interest in case continuity and practice development
• Willingness to take part in a 1:6 Saturday morning rota

Benefits

• Compensation: Salary up to £75,000 DOE, up to £5,000 relocation allowance, plus up to £5,000 welcome bonus
• Leave: 6.6 weeks annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays), plus additional holiday for your birthday
• Professional Development: £1,250 CPD allowance with 40 hours paid CPD leave, certificate support, access to IVC Evidensia Academy, Vetlexicon online encyclopaedia, research funding opportunities
• Wellbeing: Private Medical Insurance, 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, enhanced family-friendly policies (maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay)
• Professional Memberships: BVA membership, VDS cover, RCVS fees covered
• Financial: Company pension scheme with employer contribution, £1,250 annual Care Fund allocation per vet
• Sustainability & Perks: Cycle to Work scheme and Green Cars Scheme (subject to eligibility), voluntary benefits with flexibility, discounts/cashback at hundreds of retailers, discounted pet treatment at IVC Evidensia practices

About the Practice

Unicorn Vets has served the Southampton area for over 30 years with two well-established practices: Fairfield and Park. Part of IVC Evidensia, the practice combines independent roots with group support and resources. The Park branch is currently being prepared for refurbishment and is well-equipped with digital X-ray, in-house haematology and biochemistry (extended panels including SDMA and T4), ultrasound with echocardiography, endoscopy, capnography, tonometry, and ECG—enabling thorough workup and confident case management.

Southampton combines coastal living with city convenience, offering easy access to the New Forest, South Downs, and Solent coastline alongside excellent shopping, dining, culture, and direct train links to London—making it ideal for building both a career and a lifestyle.