Lead Veterinary Surgeon

Job Description

Introduction
Our Client is an independently owned hospital and operates as a not-for-profit Community Interest Company (CIC). They are preparing to launch a brand-new veterinary hospital in Hull, further expanding their services across Yorkshire, with plans to open in January 2027. The hospital will provide accessible, affordable, high-quality veterinary care while operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, offering continuous patient care and emergency services. Their commitment to affordable veterinary medicine, including free daytime consultations and transparent pricing, enables them to deliver outstanding care while supporting a varied and rewarding caseload.

Working Hours / Rota
This is a full-time position working 40 hours over four days per week. The role includes participation in a 2 in 9 weekend rota. As the hospital operates 24/7, the successful candidate will contribute to delivering continuous patient care and emergency services.

Role Description
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Lead Veterinary Surgeon to play a key role in the launch and development of a brand-new veterinary hospital. Working closely with the Practice Manager and Lead Nurse, the successful candidate will support the day-to-day operations of the hospital while leading and mentoring the veterinary team to ensure consistently high clinical standards.

The role includes coaching Veterinary Surgeons, embedding Animal Trust’s values throughout the team and creating a caring, supportive working environment. Alongside clinical responsibilities, the successful candidate will contribute to evaluating key performance indicators (KPIs) and profit and loss performance, helping to drive the continued success of the hospital. The position also involves conducting one-to-one meetings, supporting performance management and confidently leading staff meetings and clinical governance meetings.

Team Size
The successful candidate will work alongside the Practice Manager and Lead Nurse while leading and supporting the hospital’s Veterinary Surgeons. Together, they will establish a collaborative, positive and supportive team culture as the new hospital grows.

Practice Details
The practice is a brand-new veterinary hospital scheduled to open in January 2027, expanding Animal Trust’s services across Yorkshire. As an independently owned, not-for-profit Community Interest Company (CIC), the organisation is unique within the UK veterinary profession, focusing on delivering accessible and affordable veterinary care rather than maximising profits.

Operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the hospital will provide continuous inpatient care and emergency services alongside routine veterinary treatment. Its affordable consultation model and transparent pricing structure will provide a varied and rewarding clinical caseload, creating excellent opportunities for professional development.

Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will be an experienced Veterinary Surgeon with strong clinical expertise and a passion for coaching and mentoring colleagues. They will possess excellent communication skills and enjoy working collaboratively with both clients and the wider practice team.

Applicants should be confident leading staff meetings, clinical governance meetings, conducting one-to-one meetings and supporting performance management. A VetGDP qualification is desirable, although candidates willing to obtain the qualification are encouraged to apply. An interest in evaluating business KPIs and profit and loss performance would be beneficial but is not essential.

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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