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- Tasks: Lead and innovate veterinary services to enhance care for pets in need.
- Company: Join PDSA, a century-old charity dedicated to providing vital veterinary care.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holiday, and wellness support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of pets and their owners.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in service delivery and operational management.
- Other info: Be part of a passionate team committed to continuous improvement and animal welfare.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
For over a century, PDSA has provided vital veterinary care to pets belonging to people in financial hardship. We are now on a journey to expand our reach, supporting even more people and their beloved pets. To achieve this ambitious goal, we need passionate and driven individuals who are ready to embrace change and help shape a future-focused PDSA. Together, we will build a stronger organisation to ensure our services continue to help those who need us most for the next hundred years. If you’re ready to make a real difference and be part of a team creating positive change, we want you to join us.
We are excited to offer a unique opportunity to join our Senior Leadership Team as Director of Veterinary Services. In this role you will collaborate closely with the Chief Operating Officer, Chief Veterinary Advisor and Executive Leadership Team to shape and implement strategic initiatives that drive efficiency, elevate quality, expand accessibility and enhance client satisfaction across our nationwide veterinary services.
With 46 PDSA Pet Hospitals and clinics delivering more than 2.2 million veterinary treatments annually, supported by over 2,000 employees and 2,000 volunteers, no other charity matches our scale or impact on people and their pets in their time of need. As Director of Veterinary Services, you will play a central role in defining the future of PDSA’s veterinary operations. You will lead service delivery and operational teams through the full employee lifecycle, developing high-performing teams and embedding a culture of continuous improvement. You will directly manage seven senior leaders and oversee more than 1,600 colleagues across our Pet Hospitals and clinics. You will ensure alignment with our business plan while delivering a pragmatic veterinary service to those most in need.
As part of the Senior Leadership Team, you will inspire collaboration, compassion and excellence, ensuring our veterinary services remain sustainable, efficient and aligned with PDSA’s overarching goals.
As Director of Veterinary Services, you will provide senior leadership for PDSA’s UK-wide, multi-site veterinary service, playing a pivotal role in delivering our charitable mission through consistently high standards of care, strong clinical governance and an excellent client experience. This is a role of significant scale and complexity, requiring a highly visible leader who can set clear direction and translate strategy into measurable delivery across multiple sites and teams.
Sitting on the Senior Leadership Team, you will contribute to decision-making that shapes PDSA more broadly, bringing a strong operational and clinical perspective to organisational priorities, risk, performance and transformation. While the day-to-day focus remains leading veterinary services at a senior level, the impact of the role extends across the charity, supporting sustainable, joined-up decisions that maximise our reach and impact.
We are looking for an innovative, values-led leader who can modernise services, champion new ways of working, embed a culture of continuous improvement and have impact beyond their direct area of responsibility. You will use data, insight and best practice to strengthen performance, improve consistency and lead large-scale change, ensuring our services remain accessible, effective and sustainable while maintaining the highest standards of professional practice and animal welfare.
You will bring substantial operational leadership experience within a service delivery environment, including leading major change initiatives in complex, multi-site settings. You will take clear accountability for clinical standards and governance, ensuring quality, safety and compliance are embedded consistently, and that risk is actively managed across a national footprint. Strong commercial acumen is essential. You will be accountable for budgets, resource allocation and financial planning, making confident, evidence-based decisions that deliver value for money and long-term sustainability while protecting quality and outcomes. You will be comfortable shaping investment choices, improving productivity and optimising resources to maximise impact for pets and the people who love them.
This is a UK-wide leadership role requiring extensive travel to maintain visibility, engagement and strong connection with teams and services.
We’re truly passionate about being a great place to work, where people feel proud of what they do, connected to a meaningful purpose and able to make a genuine difference every day. Our teams are collaborative and supportive, and we encourage everyone to bring their ideas, individuality and passion for pets to work with them.
As well as a rewarding role and a positive, people-focused culture, we also offer a wide range of benefits, including:
- Car allowance £5,500 per annum
- 25 days’ holiday plus Bank Holidays, with option to buy or sell an extra five days.
- Three paid special days off: Volunteering Day, Celebration Day and Wellbeing Day annually.
- Generous pension options, with PDSA contributions starting at 5% and rising to 10%.
- Life assurance providing four times your annual salary for added peace of mind.
- AXA Health Employee Assistance Programme, with 24/7 wellbeing support
- Retail, holiday and lifestyle discounts available through our staff Fetch benefits platform.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave to support you and your family.
- Access to Vitality Private Medical Insurance single cover with the option to upgrade to cover family members.
- 15% discount on PDSA Pet Insurance plus access to staff veterinary services.
If you have any questions regarding your application, please reach out to us and we’ll be happy to help.
Seniority level: Director
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Health Care Provider, Management, and Business Development
Hospitals and Health Care, Non-profit Organizations, and Health and Human Services
Director of Veterinary Services in England employer: PDSA
Contact Detail:
PDSA Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Veterinary Services in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the veterinary field and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching PDSA's mission and values. Show us how your passion for animal welfare aligns with our goals. Tailor your responses to highlight your leadership experience and how you can drive change in our veterinary services.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence. Focus on articulating your vision for the future of veterinary services and how you can contribute to PDSA’s mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you fresh in our minds as we make our decisions.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Veterinary Services in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for veterinary services shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference for pets and their owners, so share your personal experiences or motivations that drive you.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Director of Veterinary Services. Highlight your leadership experience, operational skills, and any relevant achievements that align with our mission at PDSA. We love seeing how your background fits with what we do!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the role.
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 the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about PDSA and what we stand for.
How to prepare for a job interview at PDSA
✨Know Your PDSA Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into PDSA's mission, values, and recent initiatives. Understanding their journey and how they support pets in need will show your genuine interest and alignment with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Director of Veterinary Services, you'll be leading teams across multiple sites. Be prepared to discuss your leadership philosophy and provide examples of how you've successfully managed change and fostered collaboration in previous roles.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle complex situations. Think of specific examples where you've improved service delivery or enhanced client satisfaction, and be ready to share those stories.
✨Demonstrate Your Financial Acumen
Since the role involves budget management and resource allocation, brush up on your financial planning skills. Be ready to discuss how you've made evidence-based decisions that balance quality and cost-effectiveness in past positions.