Lead Veterinary Surgeon | Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Lead Veterinary Surgeon to take responsibility for a well-established small animal practice in the Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire area. Offering a salary of up to £75,000, plus a Lead Vet Bonus Scheme worth up to an additional 20% of earnings, this role offers genuine clinical autonomy, the opportunity to shape the future direction of the practice and an excellent Monday-to-Friday rota with no weekends and no OOH.

Key Highlights

• Salary up to £75,000.
• Lead Vet Bonus Scheme – up to an additional 20% of earnings.
• Permanent, full-time Lead Veterinary Surgeon position.
• 40 hours per week.
• Monday to Friday only.
• Working hours of 8:30am – 6:00pm.
• No weekends.
• No out-of-hours.
• Genuine clinical autonomy and opportunity to shape the practice.
• Established nursing and support team.
• Potential pathway to partnership for the right candidate.
• £1,500 CPD allowance plus 3 paid CPD days.
• Funded certificates and career development.
• Visa sponsorship and relocation support available.

The Practice

This established small animal practice is looking for an experienced Veterinary Surgeon to step into a key clinical leadership position following a recent leadership transition.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to make the practice their own, helping shape its clinical direction, standards and future development while retaining hands-on responsibility for consultations, surgery and patient care.

You'll be supported locally by a Practice Manager, Registered Veterinary Nurse, Head Veterinary Nurse, Veterinary Care Assistant and Client Care Assistant, alongside access to experienced colleagues and nearby practices within the wider regional network.

The position provides an excellent combination of clinical independence and wider support, making it particularly attractive to an experienced Veterinary Surgeon looking for their first leadership opportunity or an established Lead Vet seeking greater autonomy.

There is also a clear potential pathway towards partnership for a candidate interested in progressing into practice ownership in the future.

Facilities & Equipment

The practice is well equipped for a varied first opinion caseload, with facilities including:

• Digital X-ray.
• Dental X-ray.
• Ultrasound.
• In-house laboratory facilities.
• Surgical and diagnostic facilities for first opinion cases.
• Access to advanced diagnostics through the wider clinical network.
• Access to CT and endoscopy when required.
• Additional clinical support from nearby practices.

The Role

This is a full-time position working 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 6:00pm.

A major benefit of the position is the rota, with no weekend working and no out-of-hours commitment, providing an unusually strong work-life balance for a senior veterinary leadership role.

Alongside delivering consultations, surgery and high-quality clinical care, you'll take responsibility for the clinical direction of the practice and play an important role in developing the team.

You'll have the autonomy to influence how the practice operates clinically, help develop its caseload and services, mentor colleagues and maintain high standards of patient and client care.

The Candidate

You will be an RCVS-registered Veterinary Surgeon with strong general practice experience and the confidence to take clinical responsibility within the practice.

You'll be comfortable with a varied first opinion caseload encompassing consultations, routine surgery, diagnostics and case management.

Previous leadership experience would be beneficial, although applications are also welcomed from experienced Veterinary Surgeons who are ready to take the next step into a Lead Vet position.

You'll ideally be someone who enjoys mentoring colleagues, developing clinical standards and having genuine input into the future direction of a practice.

Salary & Benefits

• Salary up to £75,000.
• Lead Vet Bonus Scheme offering up to an additional 20% of earnings.
• 40-hour working week.
• Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 6:00pm.
• No weekends.
• No OOH.
• 5 weeks' annual leave plus Bank Holidays, increasing with length of service.
• Additional paid 'Day for You' each year.
• £1,500 annual CPD allowance.
• 3 days' paid CPD leave.
• Funded certificate opportunities.
• Access to Clinical Communities and internal CPD.
• Private Medical Insurance from day one.
• Health Cash Plan from day one.
• 24/7 counselling and wellbeing support.
• Life Assurance at 3x salary.
• RCVS, VDS and BVA fees paid.
• Relocation support available.
• Visa sponsorship available where applicable.
• Sabbatical opportunities based on length of service.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Season Ticket Loan.
• Employee discounts on veterinary products and services.
• Potential pathway to partnership.

If you would like further information about this Lead Veterinary Surgeon opportunity in the Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire area, or would like to arrange a confidential and informal discussion, please get in touch with the Vet Seekers team today.

Interested?

CLICK APPLY NOW to submit your application.

If you have any questions before applying, or you're exploring other permanent or locum veterinary opportunities, contact the Vet Seekers team for a confidential discussion.

Please quote Job Reference: 26-00486

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