A unique opportunity has arisen for an experienced people manager to join Ashleigh Vets in Manchester as a Director of Practice.
In this role, you will be responsible for leading, managing, and developing a diverse team, while driving sustainable business growth and profitability.
As the Director of Practice, you will work closely with the Area Director and Area Support Manager to ensure key initiatives are effectively implemented. You will also collaborate with peer groups during regular meetings, contributing as needed to the overall success of the business.
Who We Are
Ashleigh Vets has been very proudly caring for the pets of South Manchester for the last 50 years and is fortunate to have a lovely client base and good reputation. We are a two-site practice, Chorlton – our main branch has our Small animal work & our Avian and Exotic Referral Clinic. Here we see both cat and dog patients, and first opinion and referral exotic patients. Sale - our Cat only Clinic, where we provide consults and routine surgeries.
We are lucky enough to have a wonderful, cohesive team. We are RCVS silver accredited and rabbit welfare silver accredited. We are staffed 24 hours a day for improved patient welfare and client care (we have a dedicated OOH team of vets/nurses, as well as auxiliary nurses who look after our in-patients OOH).
We are 2.5 miles from the vibrant centre of Manchester and 1 mile from Old Trafford. The Peak District can be reached in 30 minutes, and the Lake District, or beaches, within 1 hour. We also have excellent transport links, being at the axis of the motorways, and Manchester Airport is a 10-minute drive.
Role Overview
As the Director of Practice, you will manage the daily operational functions, reporting directly to the Area Director. Your focus will be on providing excellent patient and client care, supporting our team's professional development, and overseeing financial growth, financial forecasting, and operational excellence. Responsibilities will include HR, financial management, marketing, and maintaining compliance across all practice functions.
Working Hours
This is a full-time role working 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, between the hours of 8 am and 8 pm, with on-site presence to effectively manage your team. The successful candidate will be primarily based in Chorlton; however, regular travel across both sites will be expected.
What We're Looking For
We are seeking an individual with proven management experience in a healthcare setting, particularly those who have managed large, single-site or multi-site businesses. While we welcome applicants from the veterinary industry, we also value relevant experience from other sectors. The ideal candidate will have a strong focus on supporting outstanding patient and client care, achieved through excellent management of a high-performing team. You will collaborate closely with senior veterinary surgeons and the management team to enhance clinical service delivery and ensure the highest standards of care.
Why Join Us?
We offer a supportive, growth-focused work environment, where you'll have a significant impact on our operations and client experience. At Ashleigh Vets, you'll join a team that cares deeply, shares knowledge, and dares to innovate. In addition to a competitive salary, you will benefit from:
Work Life Balance
* 6.6 weeks annual leave plus additional time off for your birthday
Wellbeing
* Private medical insurance
* Enhanced family-friendly policies, including maternity/ paternity/ adoption/ shared parental and surrogacy pay
* Cycle to work scheme
* Initiatives focused on employee wellbeing
* Non-accidental injury support
Development
* Learning and development opportunities via the IVC Evidensia Academy
* Quality Improvement Programme
Additional
* Pawsome Benefits - reward gateway giving discounts and cashback with 100's of retailers
* Pension scheme
* Discounted staff pet care
At IVC Evidensia, we are committed to Diversity, Equality, Inclusion and Belonging. We are keen to hear from candidates from all minority and diverse groups. As a Disability Confident Employer, we are keen to hear from candidates with disabilities and long-term health conditions and would be happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments needed
£50,000 - £60,000 a year Salary up to £60,000 DOE