Overview
We are looking to recruit a new Veterinary Director to join our executive team. This is an excellent opportunity to be at the forefront of the UK's work to safeguard our animal welfare, biosecurity, and food security. As head of the veterinary profession within APHA (numbering circa 450 vets) and the Director responsible for the 12,000 Official Veterinarians, you will ensure high standards of veterinary and technical training and practice. You will provide clear and decisive leadership to the APHA Veterinary Taskforce, delivering technical advice as required. As a member of the APHA Executive Board you will provide motivational leadership and robust governance of APHA, ensuring veterinary perspectives are at the heart of decision making across the Agency. You will motivate, engage and lead the 3,600-strong workforce to achieve strategic outcomes.
Responsibilities
* Provide inspiring and motivational leadership to APHA's veterinary workforce and the Professional Advice and Standards Directorate; support the CEO as the lead Board Member/Director for veterinary advice, standards, and technical assurance.
* Shape and develop veterinary strategies, processes, and policies to support the CEO in meeting stakeholder requirements, collaborating with HR to establish professional standards and ongoing professional development opportunities.
* Lead APHA Veterinarians' Taskforce to ensure consistent execution of high-priority objectives and regular reviews of veterinary roles, aligning skills and responsibilities with operational needs and strategic priorities.
* Serve as Head of Profession for the agency's veterinarians/technical staff, building capability and driving best practice, standards, and technical competence across APHA.
* Provide timely, evidence-based advice to policy colleagues and the Chief Veterinary Officers of the UK, Scotland, and Wales, ensuring operational delivery implications are fully considered.
* Be accountable for the cross-agency delivery of disease control strategies and preparedness (e.g., horizon scanning, modelling, operational planning); work with the Director of Service Delivery and Epidemiological Risk.
* Lead and oversee the Agency's frontline response during disease outbreaks, including stepping into the Outbreak Director role during periods of leave.
* Ensure effective coordination and timely delivery of high-quality briefing products and advice to Ministers, the CEO, Executives, and Steering Boards, and to devolved administrations.
* Represent APHA to Ministers and senior external stakeholders as required by the CEO; participate in Defra and Devolved Administration committees and national veterinary organisations on behalf of the CEO.
* Lead the Veterinary Taskforce to ensure efficient deployment of the workforce and align operational needs with strategic priorities; manage recruitment, talent management, and succession planning for veterinary posts.
* Support the CEO as the lead Board Member for veterinary advice and standards, and collaborate with DEFRA, Scottish and Welsh Governments and stakeholders to deliver strategic outcomes.
* Lead the development of veterinary strategies, processes, standards, and training to maximise delivery; drive cross-agency collaboration and consistency.
* During exotic disease outbreaks, partner with the Outbreak Director to lead the Agency's veterinary response at the National Disease Control Centre (NDCC) and maintain communications with policy colleagues and CVOs.
* Ensure effective briefing products and advice for Ministers and senior governance groups; maintain professional relationships with policy and government entities.
* Be a visible leader, supporting APHA employee engagement activities and career development pathways for veterinary staff.
* Lead, monitor, and advance the professional standards across APHA to ensure high standards of veterinary practices within the Agency and effective responses to animal health issues.
Accountabilities and Governance
* As a member of the Executive Board, contribute to strategy, governance, and decision-making for APHA.
* Provide governance and assurance for veterinary advice, standards, and technical delivery; ensure risk management and performance management arrangements are in place for veterinary roles.
* Oversee budgetary stewardship for the Professional Standards Directorate and ensure financial probity and value for money; support government Spending Review submissions on behalf of APHA.
* Ensure timely, accurate reporting of financial and non-financial information.
Qualifications and Experience
* Experience operating at a senior level in a veterinary leadership role; proven track record of leading veterinary and technical teams.
* Ability to provide strategic leadership, motivate diverse teams, and act as a role model for APHA staff.
* Strong communication skills with the ability to influence policymakers and stakeholders at national and devolved levels.
* Experience in outbreak response and cross-agency collaboration is desirable.
Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant who declares a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job. In some recruitment situations, such as high-volume periods, interview numbers may be limited. For more details please see the employer’s Disability Confident information.
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