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- Tasks: Lead a dynamic veterinary team and shape clinical excellence in a brand-new hospital.
- Company: Join Rutland Veterinary, part of the Linnaeus family, known for collaboration and support.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holiday, relocation support, and extensive CPD opportunities.
- Why this job: Take the lead in a modern facility and make a real impact on animal care.
- Qualifications: Must be a confident vet with leadership experience and relevant certificates.
- Other info: Work-life balance with a 4-day week and supportive administrative team.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 78000 £ per year.
Job Title: Lead Veterinary Surgeon
Salary: Up to £75,000 per annum (Depending on experience)
Location: Rutland Veterinary Centre, Uppingham, Rutland
Hours: 40 hours per week over 4 or 5 days, with a 1:5 weekend rota (currently 1:10) and protected admin time. There will be no on call with this role.
We have a unique opportunity for a Lead Veterinary Surgeon to join our team. As Lead Veterinarian, you’ll work alongside our Clinical Director to maintain clinical excellence, support team growth, and help drive the ongoing success of our practice. Whether you’re an experienced vet looking for your next challenge, or ready to take that important step into leadership, this is your chance to grow, lead, and thrive. Come and join us – and help shape the future of veterinary care with us.
Why join us?
- Lead with purpose – make meaningful decisions, mentor others, and elevate standards of care.
- Varied caseload – from routine to more complex cases, giving you scope to continually develop.
- Collaborative team – work alongside friendly colleagues with postgraduate certificates who value mentorship and shared learning.
- Invest in your future – access leadership training, CPD support, and encouragement to pursue clinical interests and certificates.
- Excellent facilities – including dental x-ray, laparoscope and gastroscope.
- Work-life balance – enjoy a four-day working week (or spread across five days if preferred) with built-in admin time, plus flexibility for important appointments, family events, and emergencies.
The Team
We are a first opinion practice with our RCVS-accredited branches in Corby, Market Harborough, Melton Mowbray, Oakham and Syston, along with our RVCS-accredited veterinary hospital in Uppingham. We pride ourselves in offering on-site emergency care, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our dedicated team of clinical and non-clinical staff provide high standards of bespoke, affordable care to our patients and our clients. We are heavily involved in the local community and actively support many local pet charities.
Whilst our vets currently cover on-call duties, these will be minimal as we transition into our brand-new hospital with a dedicated night-team at Melton Mowbray in April 2026. Weekend day shifts will be worked on a rota basis along with a shared bank holiday day shift rota.
You’ll have the backing of a dedicated administrative team (HR, H&S, finance) to handle the non-clinical details, freeing you to focus on veterinary excellence.
As part of the Linnaeus family, you’ll also benefit from collaborating with like-minded colleagues across the group, attending clinical, business, and leadership meetings, and contributing to veterinary excellence on a wider scale.
What we’re looking for
- A confident and experienced veterinary surgeon able to provide clinical leadership and support the team.
- Upholds high standards of care and client service.
- Drives clinical governance and ensures compliance with practice protocols.
- Collaborates with the Practice Manager on rota planning, team wellbeing, and operational decisions.
- Enjoys supporting others, building team culture, and leading with empathy and clarity.
- Strong clinical decision‑making abilities and able to interpret diagnostics effectively.
- Thrives in a fast‑paced environment and remains calm under pressure.
- Collaborative team player who helps maintain a positive culture and fosters excellent client relationships.
What we offer
- 5‑weeks holiday plus bank holidays and birthday leave
- Relocation support
- Paid lunch break
- RCVS and VDS fees paid
- Employer contribution pension scheme
- Life assurance
- Generous staff discount for your pets
- E‑car salary sacrifice scheme
- Enhanced equal family leave
- Extensive internal and funded external CPD
About us
Rutland and Kings Vets is part of Linnaeus and Mars Veterinary Health, the largest family‑owned veterinary company in the world. Being privately owned, we can truly be driven by our purpose, to create a better world, and think long‑term as opposed to being focused solely on short‑term profits.
At Linnaeus, A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS starts with a better world for our people. Our Associates are over 6000 strong and empowered to speak up, step up and deliver quality services. You’ll have access to a huge network of specialists, worldwide development opportunities and an easily accessible, comprehensive wellbeing package that prioritises your physical and mental health, allowing you to focus on what you do best – care for pets.
We are committed to fostering a culture that is inclusive and diverse, we care about you and want you to be authentic, with everything you need to perform at your best. We are all individual but two important things bring us together: a commitment to excellence and our passion to achieve our purpose.
If you would like to apply for this position or would simply like to discuss it in more detail, please contact Lissa.semerdak@linnaeusgroup.co.uk or complete the application form below.
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Lead Veterinary Surgeon employer: Linnaeus
Contact Detail:
Linnaeus Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Veterinary Surgeon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the veterinary field, attend local events, and join online forums. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios specific to veterinary leadership. Think about how you would handle clinical governance or team dynamics, and be ready to share your experiences.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for veterinary medicine! During interviews, let your enthusiasm shine through. Talk about your commitment to high standards of care and how you plan to mentor and support your team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our fantastic team at Rutland Veterinary.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Veterinary Surgeon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for veterinary medicine shine through! We want to see why you’re excited about this role and how you can contribute to our new hospital.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Lead Veterinary Surgeon position. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant certificates. We love seeing how your background aligns with what we’re looking for!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at our brand-new facility.
How to prepare for a job interview at Linnaeus
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your veterinary knowledge, especially around clinical governance and the latest best practices. Be ready to discuss your experience with complex cases and how you've led teams in the past.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed a team or mentored colleagues. Highlight your ability to promote high standards of care and how you’ve contributed to a positive team culture.
✨Understand the Practice
Familiarise yourself with Rutland Veterinary's values and the specifics of their new hospital. Knowing about their facilities and the support they offer will show that you're genuinely interested in joining their team.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the practice's future plans, team dynamics, and how they support ongoing professional development. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.
