Lead Veterinary Surgeon
Salary: £75,000 DOE
Welcome Bonus: up to £8,000
Relocation Allowance: up to £5,000
Vine Tree Vets have an exciting opportunity for a Lead Veterinary Surgeon to join our practice in the heart of the Wye Valley. You'll lead a supportive team of vets and nurses, manage clinical operations, and enjoy the freedom to shape a varied and rewarding caseload.
This role is ideal for an experienced Senior Vet ready to step up or a Clinical Director seeking a fresh challenge with a stronger clinical focus, working alongside an experienced Head Nurse and Practice Director.
You'll oversee all clinical aspects of the practice, ensuring high standards of care aligned with RCVS guidance, industry regulations, and IVC Evidensia best practices. Key responsibilities include clinical governance, protocol implementation, audits, quality improvement, and mentoring the team.
This is a leadership role that requires advanced clinical expertise, strong decision-making, and a commitment to continuous improvement - driving both operational excellence and outstanding patient care and you'll hold personal and team-wide accountability, in line with the Veterinary Surgeon role profile and RCVS standards.
If this sounds like something you would be interested in, we would love to hear from you!
This role can be offered on a full or part-time basis, between 30 to 40 hours per week, worked over 4 or 5 days between 8:30am and 7pm. There are no out-of-hours or on-call requirements, though participation in the Saturday morning rota will be expected.
Our established practice
Vine Tree Vets is located in the beautiful Wye Valley, within easy reach of the Forest of Dean, Bath, Gloucester, Bristol and the Cotswolds. Vine Tree has an extensive small animal case load, giving you exposure to a diverse caseload.
We are a purpose built, modern practice that was converted from a pub in 2015. We have two consulting rooms, one operating theatre, an imaging room (including digital x ray, dental x ray, bronchoscope, endoscope and ultrasound), a main prep room, a cat only prep room leading to cattery and a separate dog ward.
Lead our long-standing team
The team at Vine Tree is made up of 4 vets, 5 nurses, 2 receptionists and 1 practice director; with the longest team member being with us for over 25 years.
Our Vine Tree team is at the heart of everything we do; our priority is to create a wonderful team atmosphere where everyone looks after each other, regardless of their role, and is something we pride ourselves on. We understand the significance of supporting mental health within the veterinary profession and this is of particular importance to us. The team regularly get together to explore the outdoors, for dogs walks or just around the beautiful area.
What You'll Do:
Deliver outstanding clinical care across species
Mentor and support vets, nurses, and support staff
Champion clinical governance and continuous improvement
Lead audits, ensure compliance, and support CPD
Work closely with the Director of Practice on strategy and service development
Build strong client relationships and manage complex cases
What We're Looking For:
MRCVS-qualified with strong clinical experience
Proven leadership and mentoring skills
Deep understanding of clinical governance and RCVS standards
Passion for developing teams and delivering patient-first care
A collaborative, solution-focused approach
Bonus Points:
Postgraduate clinical or leadership qualifications
Experience as a Vet GDP advisor
Because our people matter
We recognise that our people are fundamental to the success of our business. Investing in our people, premises and processes is at the heart of what we do. In addition to a competitive base salary, you will benefit from -
Work-life balance
7.6 weeks annual leave, inclusive of bank holidays
Additional holiday entitlement for your birthday
Wellbeing
Private Medical Insurance
Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 confidential helpline
Enhanced family-friendly policies, including maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay
Initiatives focused on colleague wellbeing
Development
£1250 CPD allowance with 40 hours paid CPD leave pro rata
Certificate support
Learning and development opportunities via the IVC Evidensia Academy
Access to Vetlexicon - our online encyclopaedia provider
All our Vets & Nurses can apply for research funding
All our Vets get £1250 per annum to spend via our Care Fund
Infection Prevention and Control Programme
Quality Improvement Programme
Professional Memberships
BVA membership
VDS cover
RCVS fees
Colleague Benefits
Company pension scheme. IVC Evidensia will make a contribution as well
Supporting a greener commute to work with a Cycle to Work scheme and Green Cars Scheme, subject to eligibility criteria
Voluntary benefits: we give you the flexibility to choose from a range of voluntary benefits to suit you
Access to discounts/cashback with hundreds of participating retailers
Discounted treatment for your own pets at an IVC Evidensia practice
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