Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a supportive team, mentor junior vets, and manage a balanced caseload of consults and surgeries.
- Company: Independent small animal practice near Guildford with a friendly culture.
- Benefits: Salary from £65,000+, flexible CPD, partnership potential, and a 4-day work week.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team, enjoy work-life balance, and make a real impact in veterinary care.
- Qualifications: Experienced small animal vet, confident in consulting and surgery, with mentoring skills.
- Other info: Strong support team and excellent facilities for advanced procedures.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 91000 £ per year.
Job Description
A well-established and proudly independent small animal practice near Guildford is seeking a confident and experienced Veterinary Surgeon to join their friendly, supportive team. This is an excellent opportunity for a Vet who thrives in a collaborative environment, enjoys both consulting and surgery, and wants genuine scope for progression — including future partnership opportunities.
Salary from £65,000+
The exact salary within this banding will be awarded commensurate on experience.
Location: Near Guildford, Surrey
The Role
- Full-time: 4 days per week (fixed day off, likely Thursday).
- Part-time considered for the right candidate.
- 1 in 3 Saturdays, 8am–12pm, no Sundays or bank holidays.
- No OOH – outsourced to VetsNow.
- 15-minute consults as standard.
- Typical caseload: 40–50 consults daily across 2–3 vets, plus 3–5 surgeries.
- Senior role: mentoring junior vets, supporting clinical decisions, and leading by example.
- Balanced caseload: consults, surgery (routine and visiting specialist procedures), diagnostics, and admin.
Candidate Requirements
- Experienced and competent small animal veterinary surgeon.
- Confident in both consulting and operating.
- A natural mentor who enjoys supporting younger colleagues.
- A flexible team player with excellent communication skills.
- Someone who values the independence of a non-corporate practice.
- Open to long-term development — with potential partnership opportunities.
Practice Overview
- Independently owned and proudly local.
- Facilities: 3 consult rooms, sterile theatre, prep area, dedicated dental room, x-ray suite.
- Equipment: digital x-rays (including dental), ultrasound, endoscopy, in-house labs, full sterile surgical kits.
- Caseload: routine neutering, dentals, lump removals, plus visiting specialist for advanced procedures twice a month.
- Clients: loyal, insured and committed to excellent care.
- Support: strong and highly experienced nursing team.
Benefits
- Salary from £65,000+ DOE.
- Flexible CPD allowance with full certificate support.
- Partnership potential for the right candidate.
- Work/life balance: 4-day week, no OOH, no bank holidays.
- Loyal client base and a genuinely supportive team.
Next stepsFor further details on this exceptional role, please click the Apply Now button. If you can specify the best time to talk, please do; we will get in touch when it suits you best. You will then be contacted by one of our specialist consultants, who will provide you with further details about the role.
If you would like to talk ahead of sending us your CV, please give us a call on 0113 5129626
Please note, any contact is in the strictest confidence and we will not send your details to any practice without your expressed consent to do so.
Is this role almost right for you, but not quite ticking all the boxes? If so, we have many other roles available and also offer a Bespoke Job Search Service where we work proactively to find you your perfect job.
We have been named as the Recruitment Firm of the year at the HealthInvestor Awards, Winners of the Professional Service Provider of the Year at the General Practice Awards, Winners of the Recruitment Award at the LaingBuisson Awards and named on the Recruiter Hot100 list, so in dealing with us you'll be in safe hands!
For every placement we make, Menlo Park plants two trees! We plant one on your behalf and the other on the surgery's behalf. By planting two trees we offset 0.6 tonnes of CO2, the equivalent of driving 1,466 miles in a standard car. We want to contribute towards helping save the planet!
JBRP1_UKTJ
Lead Veterinary Surgeon employer: Menlo Park
Contact Detail:
Menlo Park 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 fellow vets, attend local meet-ups, or 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
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio of your work, whether it’s surgeries or case studies, bring it along to interviews. It’s a great way to demonstrate your expertise and passion for veterinary medicine.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job ads to pop up. Reach out directly to practices you admire, like the one near Guildford. A friendly email expressing your interest can go a long way!
✨Tip Number 4
Keep it casual but professional during interviews. Be yourself, share your experiences, and don’t hesitate to ask questions about the practice culture. This shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of their team.
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 passion for veterinary medicine shine through. We want to see your enthusiasm for both consulting and surgery, so share specific experiences that highlight your love for the field.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Lead Veterinary Surgeon. Highlight your experience in mentoring junior vets and any leadership roles you've had. We appreciate candidates who can demonstrate their ability to thrive in a collaborative environment.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where necessary to make it easy for us to read. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can communicate effectively, so show us you can do that right from the start!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates about your application status.
How to prepare for a job interview at Menlo Park
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your veterinary knowledge, especially around small animal care and surgery. Be ready to discuss specific cases you've handled, as well as any advanced procedures you've performed. This will show that you're not just experienced but also passionate about your work.
✨Show Your Mentoring Side
Since this role involves mentoring junior vets, think of examples where you've supported or guided less experienced colleagues. Share how you approach teaching and collaboration, as this will highlight your leadership skills and fit within their supportive team environment.
✨Emphasise Teamwork
This practice values a collaborative atmosphere, so be prepared to talk about your experiences working in teams. Discuss how you communicate with colleagues and support each other, especially during busy days with high caseloads. This will demonstrate that you’re a flexible team player.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare some thoughtful questions about the practice's culture, future partnership opportunities, and how they support ongoing professional development. This shows that you're genuinely interested in the role and eager to grow with the practice, which aligns perfectly with their long-term vision.
