About this role

This is a genuine clinical leadership role for an experienced vet who wants more influence without giving up the hands-on work that made them choose veterinary medicine in the first place.

Working mainly across Bushey and Hatch End, you will partner with the Directors to shape clinical standards, support the development of colleagues and identify practical ways to improve how the practice works. You will have room to bring ideas forward, help refine protocols and turn good clinical discussions into meaningful change.

You will also remain firmly part of the clinical team. The caseload is approximately 40% consulting and 60% surgery, giving you substantial time with patients while you mentor colleagues and help guide the wider team.

Previous Lead Vet experience is not essential. If you are already the person colleagues turn to for advice, regularly mentor others or naturally take responsibility for clinical standards, this could be the right next step.

About you

You will suit this role if you are an experienced, confident clinician who enjoys helping other people do their best work. You will be comfortable making decisions, open to discussing cases and approachable enough that colleagues feel able to bring questions and ideas to you.

You will also bring:

• A collaborative, positive leadership style
• Confidence across a varied first opinion consulting and surgical caseload
• Strong communication skills with both clients and colleagues
• A genuine interest in mentoring, coaching and developing others
• The initiative to identify opportunities for improvement and help make them happen
• Previous line management, mentoring or clinical leadership experience, highly desirable
• At least five years of small animal veterinary experience, ideally within UK practice

Our location

Bushey gives you a quieter, greener base while keeping London within easy reach. The area has a village feel, independent cafés, green spaces and a strong local community, while Watford is only minutes away for shopping, restaurants and leisure.

Watford Junction offers direct trains into central London in under 20 minutes, making the area a practical option if you want more space without losing easy access to the city. Relocation support of up to £5,000 is available for eligible direct candidates.

Our offer

The salary is £70,000 to £80,000 per annum, depending on experience.

The full-time roster is 40 hours across four days, with one in three Saturdays, one in six full weekends and no on-call. Part-time applications are also considered.

You will also receive:

• Five weeks’ holiday plus bank holidays and your birthday off, pro rata for part-time
• RCVS and VDS fees paid
• Funded external CPD and access to Linnaeus online CPD
• Career progression opportunities across the wider Linnaeus network
• Staff discount schemes
• Enhanced sickness pay
• Enhanced equal family leave
• Employee assistance and wider wellbeing support
• Eyecare vouchers, annual flu vaccination and cycle to work scheme
• Relocation support of up to £5,000 for eligible direct candidates

If you want to take more ownership of clinical standards and people development while continuing to consult, operate and follow your own cases, this role gives you room to do both.