Lead Veterinary Surgeon

Lead Veterinary Surgeon

Chelmsford Full-Time 65000 - 91000 Β£ / year (est.) No home office possible
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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 Β£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 Β£ 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 β€” including future partnership opportunities.

Salary from Β£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 β€” 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 Β£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!

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Lead Veterinary Surgeon employer: Menlo Park

Join a well-established, independent small animal practice near Guildford, where you will thrive in a collaborative and supportive environment. With a focus on work-life balance, offering a 4-day week and no out-of-hours duties, this role provides excellent opportunities for professional growth, including potential partnership for the right candidate. Enjoy a loyal client base, a strong nursing team, and the chance to mentor junior vets while working with state-of-the-art facilities.
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Contact Detail:

Menlo Park Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🀫

We think this is how you could land Lead Veterinary Surgeon

✨Tip Number 1

Get to know the practice before you apply! Research their values, team culture, and recent achievements. This way, when you chat with them, you can show off your knowledge and enthusiasm for joining their friendly crew.

✨Tip Number 2

Don’t just wait for the interview; reach out! Give them a call or drop an email to express your interest. It shows initiative and gives you a chance to ask any burning questions about the role or the team.

✨Tip Number 3

During the interview, be yourself! Share your experiences and how they align with their needs. Highlight your mentoring skills and collaborative spirit, as they’re looking for someone who fits right into their supportive environment.

✨Tip Number 4

After the interview, don’t forget to follow up! A quick thank-you note can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in the position and appreciate their time.

We think you need these skills to ace Lead Veterinary Surgeon

Veterinary Surgery
Consultation Skills
Mentoring
Team Collaboration
Communication Skills
Flexibility
Client Care
Diagnostic Skills
Surgical Procedures
Leadership
Problem-Solving
Time Management
Adaptability
Independence

Some tips for your application 🫑

Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for veterinary medicine shine through. We want to see your genuine love for the field and how it aligns with our practice's values.

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience in both consulting and surgery. We’re looking for someone who can mentor others, so don’t forget to mention any leadership roles or mentoring experiences you've had.

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so avoid jargon and focus on what makes you a great fit for our team.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this fantastic opportunity!

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 and how you approached them. This shows confidence and competence, which is exactly what they’re looking for!

✨Show Your Mentoring Side

Since this role involves mentoring junior vets, think of examples where you've supported or guided colleagues in the past. Share stories that highlight your leadership skills and how you foster a collaborative environment.

✨Be Ready for Practical Scenarios

Prepare for potential scenario-based questions where you might need to demonstrate your decision-making process in both consulting and surgical situations. Practising these scenarios can help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.

✨Ask Insightful Questions

At the end of the interview, don’t shy away from asking questions about the practice’s culture, team dynamics, and future partnership opportunities. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.

Lead Veterinary Surgeon
Menlo Park
Location: Chelmsford
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  • Lead Veterinary Surgeon

    Chelmsford
    Full-Time
    65000 - 91000 Β£ / year (est.)
  • M

    Menlo Park

    50-100
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