Operations Support Manager - North East in Watford

This role covers the Newcastle and Middlesborough areas. This is a hands-on, field-based role where you’ll work from clinics five days a week, supporting Partners and Lead Vets with the day-to-day running of their practices. You’ll be the first point of contact for operational queries, helping teams stay focused on delivering outstanding client and patient care.

If you enjoy solving problems, building strong relationships and keeping busy environments running like clockwork, this role offers the chance to make a real difference across multiple clinics. This role includes working approximately 1 in 6 weekends, including Bank Holidays, as part of a rotating Ops Support Manager schedule to ensure the network is always covered.

• Operational Excellence
  • Visit each clinic at least every two weeks, acting as the primary point of contact for Partners and Lead Vets.
  • Support the cascade of key communications from the central team into clinics.
  • Help clinics run effective team meetings and maintain strong internal communication.
  • Support the smooth transfer of patients between hub & spoke clinics and referral centres.
  • Ensure complaints are logged and resolved within 15 days, liaising with the Head of Ops Admin when needed.
  • Escalate risks, issues and opportunities to the Network Partner or Network Director.
• Recruitment & Onboarding
  • Coordinate recruitment activity, including organising interviews and supporting hiring managers.
  • Ensure new starters receive a high-quality onboarding experience.
  • Support BP launch days and wider onboarding activities.
• Resource Planning & Rotas
  • Build and maintain clinic rotas working closely with the Network Administrator, ensuring clinics remain fully covered and locum support is arranged when needed.
  • Review appointment availability and diary structure to ensure effective diary management.
  • Check Workday dashboards daily for tasks and notifications including payroll activities such as timesheets or leave request and absence.
• Health & Safety and Facilities maintenance
  • Log and manage maintenance requests, ensuring timely resolution.
  • Support clinics during incidents or crisis situations, escalating where appropriate.
  • Oversee accommodation administration for clinic-related housing.
  • Ensure all Health & Safety actions are completed on time.
  • Support clinics in maintaining compliance with Medivet standards and regulatory requirements.
• Inventory & Finance
  • Approve invoices promptly and check them against purchase orders, supporting clinics with any issues.
  • Review stock management processes and escalate issues where needed.
  • Support stock takes approvals and manage aged IBDC requests.

You’ll be a highly organised, proactive and people-focused operations professional who thrives in a fast-paced, field-based environment. You enjoy being the go-to person for clinics, solving problems quickly, building strong relationships and helping teams deliver brilliant care every day.

You’ll bring:

• Solid understanding of operational delivery in a veterinary, healthcare or multi-site service setting.
• Experience supporting service delivery teams across multiple locations.
• Excellent organisational and planning skills to support multiple clinics effectively.
• Strong communication and relationship-building ability with Partners, Lead Vets and support teams.
• High attention to detail in rotas, payroll and compliance documentation.
• Confidence using systems such as Workday, D365, Excel and Outlook.
• A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with strong accountability and follow-through.
• Resilience and adaptability in a busy, hands-on environment.
• Experience with rota planning, resource allocation, recruitment coordination and onboarding.
• Familiarity with Health & Safety, compliance, financial controls and inventory processes.
• An understanding of people processes and how to support teams effectively.
• A full UK driving licence for regular travel between clinics.

You’ll be part of a supportive, forward-thinking organisation that invests in its people and believes in continuous improvement and shared success. You’ll have the autonomy to shape your network, the backing of a strong central team, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on colleagues, clients and pets across the UK.

If you’re ready to lead with purpose and help shape the future of veterinary care, we’d love to hear from you.