Senior Veterinary Surgeon

About the Role

This is a leadership opportunity that goes beyond clinical work. You’ll be the Head Veterinary Surgeon at Vets Now Milton Keynes, driving standards across a busy emergency and critical care clinic whilst mentoring and supporting a collaborative veterinary team. The role averages 40 hours per week with a manageable 1:2 weekend rota (mix of night and day shifts), and you’ll never work more than three consecutive nights—leaving genuine space for the leadership duties and protected meeting time that matter.

Milton Keynes offers excellent transport links, strong proximity to London, affordable living compared to the capital, and plenty of green spaces—attractive for vets relocating from elsewhere. You’ll work alongside registered vet nurses, animal care assistants, and receptionists on every shift, and can reach out to Vets Now’s network of clinics and referral centres across the UK for case discussion and support.

The practice is open to part-time arrangements depending on clinic needs, so flexibility is genuinely available if your circumstances require it.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead by clinical example, setting the standard for quality care in emergency and critical care cases
• Support the growth, training, and wellbeing of your veterinary team members
• Identify and shape clinical development opportunities and progression pathways for colleagues
• Champion innovation and service improvement initiatives within the clinic
• Take clinical leadership in emergency situations and complex cases
• Maintain and uphold clinical standards across all areas of the clinic’s work

Requirements

• Registered Veterinary Surgeon with solid ECC experience and demonstrable leadership capability
• Proven ability to mentor and inspire a team
• Strong clinical knowledge in emergency and critical care medicine
• Excellent communication and collaborative working style
• Willingness to take on a visible leadership role within the clinic

Benefits

• Salary: Up to £100,000 depending on experience
• Recognition bonus: £10,000 Recognition Bonus
• Relocation support: Up to £5,000 relocation allowance
• Annual leave: Seven weeks pro rata
• Professional development: £1,875 CPD allowance plus 35 paid CPD hours (pro rata); access to AdvantEdge clinical training platform
• Professional fees: RCVS fees, VECCS membership, and VDS cover included
• Health & wellbeing: Private medical insurance; enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption pay
• Pension: Standard contributions (5% employee / 3% employer)
• Career development: Leadership Development Programme
• Perks: Up to 50% discounted pet care

About the Practice

Vets Now Milton Keynes is part of Vets Now Emergency, a network of dedicated emergency and critical care clinics across the UK. The clinic operates 24/7 to provide emergency care when pets need it most, supported by a professional Call Handler and Customer Care team that manages the administrative side so clinical staff can focus on patient care.

The practice is backed by Vets Now’s Support Office in Dunfermline and has access to specialist referral centres across the UK network for complex cases. Vets Now is a Disability Confident Employer and welcomes applications from all backgrounds.