Lead Veterinary Surgeon
Salary: £75,000 DOE
Welcome Bonus: up to £8,000
Relocation Allowance: up to £5,000
Vine Tree Vets have an exciting opportunity for a Lead Veterinary Surgeon to join our practice in the heart of the Wye Valley. You’ll lead a supportive team of vets and nurses, manage clinical operations, and enjoy the freedom to shape a varied and rewarding caseload.
This role is ideal for an experienced Senior Vet ready to step up or a Clinical Director seeking a fresh challenge with a stronger clinical focus, working alongside an experienced Head Nurse and Practice Director.
You’ll oversee all clinical aspects of the practice, ensuring high standards of care aligned with RCVS guidance, industry regulations, and IVC Evidensia best practices. Key responsibilities include clinical governance, protocol implementation, audits, quality improvement, and mentoring the team.
This is a leadership role that requires advanced clinical expertise, strong decision-making, and a commitment to continuous improvement - driving both operational excellence and outstanding patient care and you’ll hold personal and team-wide accountability, in line with the Veterinary Surgeon role profile and RCVS standards.
If this sounds like something you would be interested in, we would love to hear from you!
This role can be offered on a full or part-time basis, between 30 to 40 hours per week, worked over 4 or 5 days between 8:30am and 7pm. There are no out-of-hours or on-call requirements, though participation in the Saturday morning rota will be expected.
Our established practice
Vine Tree Vets is located in the beautiful Wye Valley, within easy reach of the Forest of Dean, Bath, Gloucester, Bristol and the Cotswolds. Vine Tree has an extensive small animal case load, giving you exposure to a diverse caseload.
We are a purpose built, modern practice that was converted from a pub in 2015. We have two consulting rooms, one operating theatre, an imaging room (including digital x ray, dental x ray, bronchoscope, endoscope and ultrasound), a main prep room, a cat only prep room leading to cattery and a separate dog ward.
Lead our long-standing team
The team at Vine Tree is made up of 4 vets, 5 nurses, 2 receptionists and 1 practice director; with the longest team member being with us for over 25 years.
Our Vine Tree team is at the heart of everything we do; our priority is to create a wonderful team atmosphere where everyone looks after each other, regardless of their role, and is something we pride ourselves on. We understand the significance of supporting mental health within the veterinary profession and this is of particular importance to us. The team regularly get together to explore the outdoors, for dogs walks or just around the beautiful area.

What You’ll Do:

• Deliver outstanding clinical care across species
• Mentor and support vets, nurses, and support staff
• Champion clinical governance and continuous improvement
• Lead audits, ensure compliance, and support CPD
• Work closely with the Director of Practice on strategy and service development
• Build strong client relationships and manage complex cases

What We’re Looking For:

• MRCVS-qualified with strong clinical experience
• Proven leadership and mentoring skills
• Deep understanding of clinical governance and RCVS standards
• Passion for developing teams and delivering patient-first care
• A collaborative, solution-focused approach

Bonus Points:

• Postgraduate clinical or leadership qualifications
• Experience as a Vet GDP advisor

You Matter to Us – Your Benefits at a Glance

Work-life Balance & Wellbeing

• 6.6 weeks’ holiday including bank holidays – plus your birthday off
• Private medical insurance
• Enhanced family-friendly leave and pay
• 24/7 confidential Employee Assistance Programme

Development

• £1,250 CPD allowance + 40 hours paid CPD
• Certificate and advanced learning support & Access to Vetlexicon online resources
• World leading IVC Evidensia Training Centres
• £1,250 annual Care Fund for every vet

Professional Memberships

• BVA membership
• VDS cover
• RCVS fees

Colleague Benefits

• Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (eligibility applies)
• Retail discounts and cashback offers
• Reduced-cost veterinary care for your own pets

Apply today or get in touch for an informal, confidential chat.
Up to £75,000 DO

• Deliver outstanding clinical care across species
• Mentor and support vets, nurses, and support staff
• Champion clinical governance and continuous improvement
• Lead audits, ensure compliance, and support CPD
• Work closely with the Director of Practice on strategy and service development
• Build strong client relationships and manage complex case