Lead Veterinary Surgeon
Lead Veterinary Surgeon

Lead Veterinary Surgeon

Full-Time 63000 - 78000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Linnaeus

At a Glance

  • 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.

If you are a current Linnaeus Associate, you will need to apply internally. In order to do this, please contact our Talent Acquisition team (details can be found via The Link) and someone will be in touch to discuss and progress your application.

Job Title: Lead Veterinary Surgeon

Salary: Up to £75,000 (dependent on experience)

Location: Calder Vets – Dewsbury Hospital

Job Type: Permanent. Full-time

Hours: 40 hours per week, over 4 days with a 1:4 full weekends (daytime only)

Are you an experienced Veterinary Surgeon ready to take the next step in your career? Or a Lead Vet seeking a new challenge and passionate about leading a highly respected, long-established hospital within a large practice group? If so, we’d love to hear from you.

Why join us?

  • Lead and work in a long-established, highly respected Tier 3 RCVS accredited hospital in Dewsbury that supports seven satellite clinics across South and West Yorkshire
  • Benefit from excellent referral support from our sister hospital, Paragon Veterinary Referrals, giving you confidence with more complex cases
  • Enjoy outstanding facilities including a CT scanner, digital X-ray, ultrasound, hydrotherapy, in‑house laboratory, endoscopy, state‑of‑the‑art dental suite, brand new Cryopen, and laparoscopy
  • No out‑of‑hours — a dedicated 24‑hour emergency team of experienced vets and nurses manages overnight care
  • Join a practice committed to sustainability, proudly holding Investors in Environment (iiE) Silver Accreditation 2025
  • Work in a Cat Friendly Clinic‑accredited group: Dewsbury Hospital (Gold), Mirfield, Penistone & Waterloo (Silver), Sandal & Denby Dale (Bronze)

The Team

We’re a passionate group of veterinary professionals committed to providing exceptional patient and client care. Our mission is to deliver high‑quality healthcare while ensuring every visit is a positive experience.

Our core values are Clinical Excellence, Client Care, Patient Care, Teamwork, Development, and Positivity, and we’re looking for like‑minded individuals to join our fantastic team.

Our team has a wide range of clinical interests, from dermatology to dentistry, with multiple certificates in surgery, medicine, and imaging. Certificate support and funding are actively encouraged for those looking to further develop their interests.

At Calder, you’ll thrive in a friendly, supportive environment that values your input and promotes engaging case discussions — helping you grow both personally and professionally.

We are looking for

  • A confident and experienced Veterinary Surgeon ready to provide clinical leadership and support.
  • Someone who consistently upholds high standards of clinical care and client service.
  • A leader who drives clinical governance and ensures adherence to practice protocols.
  • A collaborator who works closely with Senior Leadership team colleagues on driving gold standard veterinary care, team wellbeing, and operational decisions.
  • A supportive mentor who enjoys developing others and fostering a positive, cohesive team culture.
  • Strong clinical decision‑making skills and promotion of evidence‑based medicine
  • Someone who thrives in a fast‑paced environment and stays calm under pressure.
  • A positive team player who strengthens client relationships and contributes to a great workplace culture.

What We Offer

  • 5‑weeks holiday plus bank holidays and birthday leave
  • Relocation support
  • RCVS and VDS fees paid
  • Employer contribution pension scheme
  • Generous staff discount scheme
  • Life assurance
  • E‑car salary sacrifice scheme
  • Enhanced equal family leave
  • Extensive internal and funded external CPD
  • Dedicated Admin time within working week in private office space

About Us

Calder 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 the role or for an informal chat to discuss it further, please get in touch with Paige in the recruitment team paige.lyne@linnaeusgroup.co.uk

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Lead Veterinary Surgeon employer: Linnaeus

At Rutland Veterinary, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises both professional growth and personal well-being. With a brand-new purpose-built hospital in Melton Mowbray, our Lead Veterinary Surgeon will enjoy a balanced four-day work week, ample opportunities for leadership training, and a dedicated team that values mentorship and clinical excellence. Join us to make a meaningful impact in veterinary care while enjoying generous benefits, including relocation support and extensive CPD.
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

Clinical Leadership
Mentorship
Team Collaboration
High Standards of Care
Clinical Decision-Making
Diagnostic Interpretation
Operational Management
Rota Planning
Empathy
Communication Skills
Problem-Solving
Adaptability
Time Management
Client Relationship Management
Compliance with Practice Protocols

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.

Lead Veterinary Surgeon
Linnaeus

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