Lead Veterinary Surgeon

Job Description

Introduction
Our Client’s practice is opening a brand-new, state-of-the-art veterinary surgery in Feltham and is looking for a Head Vet to lead it from day one.
This is a rare opportunity to take full clinical ownership of a new practice, build your own team, and shape how care is delivered from the ground up. The successful candidate will lead a modern, purpose-built surgery and play a key role in developing clinical standards, patient care, client experience, team culture and the overall direction of the practice.

This role would suit a confident and experienced Vet who is looking for more than just a clinical position and wants the opportunity to make a practice their own.

Working Hours / Rota
This is a full-time role working an average of 39 hours per week. The working pattern includes 4 days per week, with 9-hour shifts and 1 in 4 weekends. Dedicated admin time is built into every shift, supporting the Head Vet with leadership, clinical governance, team development and operational responsibilities.

Role Description
As Head Vet, you will be responsible for delivering excellence in both patient care and team performance. This is a hands-on leadership role combining first-opinion clinical work with genuine influence and responsibility.
Daily duties will include leading and inspiring the clinical team, setting and upholding high standards of clinical governance, delivering outstanding first-opinion medicine and surgery, supporting and developing colleagues, and building strong relationships with clients and the local community.

You will also play a key role in shaping the culture and success of the surgery from the beginning. The role involves leading by example clinically, supporting continuous improvement, encouraging a learning culture, helping to recruit and induct new veterinary colleagues, and working collaboratively with the wider leadership team.
There will be opportunities to influence the services offered by the surgery, support clinical development, improve patient care pathways, and help build a centre of clinical excellence.

Team Size
As this is a brand-new surgery, the Head Vet will have the opportunity to build and shape the clinical team from day one. The role will involve leading Veterinary Surgeons, Locum Veterinary Surgeons and supporting EMS Veterinary Students, while working closely with nursing, client experience and wider leadership colleagues.

Practice Details
The surgery is currently being developed from a 5,200 sq ft unit into a state-of-the-art veterinary practice, anticipated to open in August 2026.
The site will service Feltham and the surrounding areas and will feature 8 consult rooms and 3 operating theatres, including a dedicated orthopaedic theatre and dental suite. The practice will also include in-house laboratory facilities, imaging facilities and a CT scanning unit.

The wider group is a nationwide, independent, family-owned veterinary group with a clear purpose focused on helping pets live long, happy and healthy lives. Its surgeries are designed to feel calm, modern and built around both patient and team wellbeing.

Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will be a confident and experienced Vet with strong all-round GP experience and a passion for high-quality patient care.
They will enjoy leading, mentoring and developing others, while being comfortable taking ownership of a practice and making it their own. Strong communication skills are essential, alongside the ability to build trust with clients and colleagues.

The successful candidate will care deeply about patient outcomes and customer experience, enjoy working collaboratively, communicate clearly and empathetically, and remain organised, proactive and calm under pressure. They will also be motivated by the opportunity to help build something new from the very beginning.

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