Overview
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. 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.
Practice and Environment
Our established practice 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 caseload, giving you exposure to a diverse range of cases. We are a purpose-built, modern practice that was converted from a pub in 2015. Facilities include 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 a cattery, and a separate dog ward.
Lead the Team
The team at Vine Tree is made up of 4 vets, 5 nurses, 2 receptionists and 1 practice director; with the longest-serving team member having been with us for over 25 years. Our team emphasizes a positive, supportive culture and mental health awareness, with regular outdoor activities and dog walks in the local 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
Benefits at a Glance
Work-life Balance & Wellbeing
* 6.6 weeks’ holiday including bank holidays – plus your birthday off
* Private medical insurance
* Enhanced family-friendly leave and pay
* 24/7 confidential Employee Assistance Programme
Development
* £1,250 CPD allowance + 40 hours paid CPD
* Certificate and advanced learning support & access to Vetlexicon online resources
* World leading IVC Evidensia Training Centres
* £1,250 annual Care Fund for every vet
Professional Memberships
* BVA membership
* VDS cover
* RCVS fees
Colleague Benefits
* Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (eligibility applies)
* Retail discounts and cashback offers
* Reduced-cost veterinary care for your own pets
Apply today or get in touch for an informal, confidential chat.
Location: Worcester, England, United Kingdom
Salary range: £0 - £75,000 a year; Up to £75,000 DOE
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