About this role

We are looking for an experienced Lead Veterinary Surgeon to work in partnership with our Clinical Director, support the continued development of our clinical team and help guide the next stage of growth for our recently opened hospital.

This is a hands-on clinical leadership position that combines a varied small animal caseload with protected time for mentoring, clinical governance and broader leadership responsibilities.

You will oversee the day-to-day clinical caseload, provide guidance to veterinary colleagues and help ensure consistently high standards of patient care, clinical decision-making and client service.

Working closely with the Clinical Director and Practice Manager, you will:

• Provide approachable clinical leadership across the veterinary team
• Mentor and support colleagues, including graduate veterinarians
• Promote strong clinical governance and adherence to practice protocols
• Contribute to rota planning, team wellbeing and operational performance
• Help develop a positive, supportive and accountable team culture
• Support the strategic growth and continued development of the hospital
• Represent our clinical values across the wider Linnaeus network

You will have meaningful input into how the hospital develops, supported by an experienced clinical team and established resources across human resources, finance, health and safety, and practice operations.

For someone seeking further leadership progression, the role also offers a clear pathway towards a future Clinical Director position.

About you

You are an experienced small animal Veterinary Surgeon who enjoys combining clinical practice with mentoring, decision-making and team leadership.

Previous leadership experience is essential. As part of the requirements for our PSS Hospital status, you must also hold a postgraduate certificate.

You will bring:

• Confident clinical judgement and strong diagnostic reasoning
• The ability to provide clear direction and support to colleagues
• A genuine interest in mentoring and developing veterinary professionals
• An understanding of clinical governance and practice protocols
• A calm and considered approach within a busy hospital environment
• Clear, empathetic communication with colleagues and clients
• A collaborative leadership style that strengthens team culture
• A commitment to high standards of patient care and client service

You will be comfortable making informed clinical decisions while remaining approachable, supportive and open to the perspectives of those around you.

Our location

Melton Mowbray is a characterful Leicestershire market town surrounded by open countryside and well connected to Leicester, Nottingham and the wider East Midlands.

The area offers an appealing balance of town and country living, with local markets, independent businesses, schools, walking routes and welcoming communities. It provides space to enjoy life outside work while keeping larger regional centres within easy reach.

Relocation support is available for the successful applicant.

Our offer

The salary for this role is up to £75,000 per annum, depending on experience, with a welcome bonus of up to £5,000 available to direct applicants.

The position is based around a four-day working week, with shifts of either 8am to 6pm or 8.30am to 6.30pm. Protected leadership and administration time is built into your schedule, giving you dedicated space to manage responsibilities away from the clinical caseload.

There is no on-call commitment. Weekend and bank holiday daytime duties are shared equally across the team on a 1:5 rota.

We understand that important commitments outside work matter, and our diary is planned wherever possible to accommodate family events, personal responsibilities and unexpected situations.

In addition, you will receive:

• Five weeks’ annual leave
• Bank holidays and birthday leave
• Relocation support
• RCVS and VDS fees paid
• Employer contribution pension scheme
• Generous staff discount scheme
• Life assurance
• Electric car salary sacrifice scheme
• Enhanced equal family leave
• Extensive internal CPD
• Funded external CPD
• Support for further qualifications
• Leadership development opportunities
• A clear pathway towards Clinical Director