At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a dedicated team while overseeing operational performance and strategic direction.
- Company: Village Vets is a respected veterinary group in North Wales, committed to exceptional pet care.
- Benefits: Enjoy 6.6 weeks annual leave, private medical insurance, and a competitive salary up to £50,000.
- Why this job: Shape the future of veterinary care in a collaborative environment that values your leadership.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience is essential; veterinary background is a plus but not required.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with occasional late shifts and weekends; significant impact on operations.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK\’s leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.
Applications will close on Friday 18th July.
We\’re looking for an experienced and driven leader to take on the role of Director of Practice at Village Vets – a thriving 4-branch veterinary group in North Wales. This is an exceptional opportunity to influence, guide, and grow a well-established and respected practice, working alongside a dedicated team who truly care.
Lead with purpose, inspire with passion
As Director of Practice, you\’ll be the sole accountable leader for the Village Vets group, setting strategic direction and overseeing all aspects of operational performance. You\’ll work closely with a strong leadership team – including the Lead Vet, Nurse Manager, Referrals Manager, and Assistant Practice Manager – who each lead their own functions and teams.
Your role will be pivotal in maintaining high clinical standards, delivering exceptional client care, and ensuring strong commercial performance. You\’ll also be a key driver in our plans to open a brand-new site in 2026, leading everything from planning to launch.
This role reports to the Area Director and will be primarily based at our hospital in Buckley, with regular time spent across all four sites.
A full job description will be provided at telephone interview stage.
Shape the future of Village Vets
Village Vets is a trusted and respected veterinary group offering a mix of first opinion and referral services to the local community and beyond. Our four sites work closely together to provide outstanding care and support for pets and their owners. The main hospital in Buckley is fully equipped and acts as the hub of the group.
The team is made up of 14 vets supported by experienced nursing and non-clinical teams. We pride ourselves on our collaborative, inclusive culture – people genuinely enjoy working here, and it shows.
What you\’ll bring to our team
We\’re looking for an experienced leader with a proven track record of managing people, operations, and performance. While veterinary industry experience would be an advantage, it\’s not essential – what matters most is your leadership capability, strategic mindset, and emotional intelligence.
You\’ll need to be commercially astute, people-focused, and confident in making decisions that balance clinical, client, and business needs. Strong communication, team engagement, and change management skills are a must.
Working pattern
This is a full-time position, 40 hours per week, to be worked across 4 or 5 days at your preference. Regular presence across all four sites is expected, with a home base at our Buckley hospital. Flexibility requests will be considered within reason, but it is imperative that our Director of Practice has reasonable crossover with the whole team, which will include occasional late shifts (19:00 finish) and weekends.
Because our people matter
We offer a supportive, growth-focused work environment, where you\’ll have a significant impact on our operations and client experience. In addition to a competitive base salary up to £50,000 per annum, you will benefit from:
Work Life Balance
* 6.6 weeks annual leave
* Additional time off for your birthday
Wellbeing
* Private medical insurance
* Enhanced family-friendly policies, including maternity/ paternity/ adoption/ shared parental and surrogacy pay
* Cycle to work scheme
* Initiatives focused on employee wellbeing
* Non-accidental injury support
Development
* CPD Allowance
* Learning and development opportunities via the IVC Evidensia Academy
* Access to Vetlexicon – our encyclopaedia provider
* Infection prevention and control programme
* Quality Improvement Programme
Additional
* Discretionary performance-based bonus scheme
* Pawsome Benefits – reward gateway giving discounts and cashback with 100\’s of retailers
* Pension scheme
* Discounted staff pet care
£0 – £0 a year
Up to £50,000 DOE
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Director of Practice - Non-clinical employer: IVC Evidensia
Contact Detail:
IVC Evidensia Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Practice - Non-clinical
✨Tip Number 1
Research Village Vets thoroughly before your interview. Understand their values, mission, and the specific challenges they face in the veterinary industry. This knowledge will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate your genuine interest in leading their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Village Vets if possible. They can provide insights into the company culture and expectations for the Director of Practice role, which can be invaluable during your discussions.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how it aligns with the collaborative culture at Village Vets. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed teams and driven performance in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Think about your vision for the new site opening in 2026. Be prepared to articulate your strategic approach to planning and launching this new location, as this will show your forward-thinking mindset and commitment to the growth of Village Vets.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Practice - Non-clinical
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and expectations of the Director of Practice position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the strategic direction and operational performance required for this role.
Craft a Compelling CV: Your CV should clearly showcase your leadership experience, operational management skills, and any relevant achievements. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage teams and drive performance, especially in a non-clinical context.
Write a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for leading a veterinary group and your vision for the future of Village Vets. Highlight your emotional intelligence and people-focused approach, as well as your strategic mindset. Make it personal and engaging to stand out.
Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your application, take the time to proofread your documents. Check for spelling and grammatical errors, and ensure that your writing is clear and professional. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and commitment to quality.
How to prepare for a job interview at IVC Evidensia
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of the Director of Practice. Familiarise yourself with the operational performance aspects and how they align with the strategic direction of Village Vets.
✨Showcase Leadership Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous leadership roles and how you've successfully managed teams and operations. Highlight specific examples that demonstrate your ability to inspire and guide others.
✨Emphasise Emotional Intelligence
Given the importance of people-focused leadership, be ready to talk about how you handle team dynamics and client relationships. Share instances where your emotional intelligence made a positive impact.
✨Discuss Commercial Acumen
Be prepared to discuss your understanding of balancing clinical needs with business performance. Bring examples of how you've made decisions that positively affected both client care and commercial outcomes.