Lead Veterinary Surgeon

Job Description

Introduction
Our Client is an independently owned practice and operates as a not-for-profit Community Interest Company (CIC), committed to providing accessible, affordable, high-quality veterinary care. They are seeking an experienced Veterinary Surgeon to join their Ashton practice as a Development Team Leader. This leadership position combines clinical responsibilities with mentoring, training and professional development, making it an excellent opportunity for a Veterinary Surgeon passionate about developing the next generation of clinicians while maintaining exceptional standards of patient care.

Working Hours / Rota
This is a full-time position working 38 hours per week over four days, with a fixed day off each Thursday. The role also includes participation in a 2 in 9 Saturday rota.

Role Description
The Development Team Leader plays a key leadership role within the practice, focusing on clinical excellence, mentorship and the development of Veterinary Surgeons. The successful candidate will oversee the training and progression of recent graduates and Veterinary Surgeons with less than three years’ qualification, acting as a VetGDP Advisor and ensuring clinicians develop confidently and successfully.

Working closely with the Lead Veterinary Surgeon, Practice Manager and Clinical Operations Lead, the role involves identifying training needs, delivering clinical training programmes and supporting the implementation of clinical governance initiatives. Responsibilities include line managing newly qualified Veterinary Surgeons, supporting performance reviews and career development, contributing to clinical audits and maintaining compliance with RCVS standards and company protocols. In the absence of the Lead Veterinary Surgeon, the successful candidate will also support the management of more experienced clinicians while contributing to the strategic direction of the practice and preparing for future progression into a Lead Veterinary Surgeon role.

Team Size
The successful candidate will work closely with the Lead Veterinary Surgeon, Clinical Operations Lead and Practice Manager while mentoring and line managing newly qualified Veterinary Surgeons. They will also collaborate with the wider leadership team to promote a supportive culture focused on professional development, clinical excellence and outstanding patient care.

Practice Details
The practice is part of an independently owned, not-for-profit Community Interest Company (CIC) dedicated to delivering accessible and affordable veterinary care. A strong emphasis is placed on clinical governance, mentoring and continuous professional development, creating an environment where Veterinary Surgeons are encouraged to develop their clinical and leadership skills. The practice actively supports graduate development through the VetGDP programme and promotes a collaborative culture centred around learning, high clinical standards and excellent patient outcomes.

Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will be an MRCVS or FRCVS qualified Veterinary Surgeon who is VetGDP accredited and has strong clinical experience combined with a genuine passion for mentoring and developing colleagues. They will possess excellent communication, leadership and organisational skills, with the confidence to guide newly qualified clinicians while maintaining high standards of clinical care.

Previous experience mentoring graduates is desirable but not essential. Applicants should have an appreciation for clinical governance and its role in maintaining excellent standards of veterinary care, alongside the ambition to progress into a Lead Veterinary Surgeon position in the future.

This is just some of the information about the job and company, but there will be more questions. Tempus Veterinary Recruitment is happy to get those questions answered for you during the recruiting process. Tempus Veterinary Recruitment is here to make the recruiting process simple and stress free.

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