At a Glance
- 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.
- Other info: Be part of a passionate team committed to continuous improvement and animal welfare.
- 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.
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
PDSA is an exceptional employer for Registered Veterinary Nurses, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment in Leeds. With a strong focus on animal welfare, employees benefit from flexible working options, a generous CPD allowance, and numerous opportunities for professional growth, making it a fulfilling place to advance your veterinary career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Veterinary Services in England
✨Get Involved in Local Health Initiatives
Dive into local health initiatives or volunteer at community health events. This not only boosts your practical experience but also gets you noticed among professionals in human medicine who may have leads on full-time positions like Director of Veterinary Services at PDSA.
✨Connect with Professionals via Medical Associations
Join professional associations related to human medicine, such as the Royal College of Physicians. Attend their conferences and networking events to meet potential employers in a relaxed setting. Who knows, you might just bump into someone from PDSA!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise Online
Build a personal website or a professional blog where you can share your insights on human medicine topics. This portfolio can catch the eye of recruiters looking for dedicated individuals for full-time roles like Director of Veterinary Services.
✨Leverage University Career Services
If you’re still in or recently graduated from university, don’t hesitate to use your career services. They often have exclusive listings and contacts in the human medicine field that can help you land a full-time gig at places like PDSA.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Veterinary Services in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:When applying for the Director of Veterinary Services at PDSA, focus on highlighting your clinical experience and any specific training you've undergone. Include any relevant placements or internships you’ve completed, as well as any certifications that bolster your qualifications in human medicine.
Highlight Your Soft Skills:In the field of human medicine, soft skills are just as crucial as technical knowledge. Mention your communication skills, empathy, and teamwork experiences in your CV and cover letter. This shows that you can work well in a clinical setting and with patients, which is super important in this industry!
Tailor Your Cover Letter Thoughtfully:Be sure to personalise your cover letter for the Director of Veterinary Services at PDSA. Mention why you’re passionate about human medicine and how you align with the company’s mission. This is your chance to convey your enthusiasm and make a case for why you'll be a valuable addition to the team!
Include Continuing Education:Make sure to mention any ongoing education or courses you’re taking to keep your skills sharp. In human medicine, staying updated with the latest practices is key. It shows you’re dedicated to your field, which employers like PDSA will definitely appreciate!
How to prepare for a job interview at PDSA
✨Brush Up on Clinical Knowledge
Since you're aiming for a role in human medicine, make sure you’re sharp on the latest clinical guidelines and practices relevant to the position. Be prepared to discuss case studies or scenarios you might encounter in the role. This will show that you're not just knowledgeable but also ready to apply that knowledge in real-life situations.
✨Demonstrate Soft Skills
In human medicine, technical skills are crucial, but don’t forget to showcase your soft skills like communication, empathy, and teamwork. In your answers, share specific examples of how you've worked effectively with patients or colleagues in the past, as these traits are highly valued in clinical settings.
✨Know Your CV Backwards
As you’re applying for a full-time position, your CV should tell a story. Be ready to discuss every part of it, especially your clinical experiences, the impact you had, and what you learned. Employers want to see how your journey has prepared you for this role, so think of it like you're taking them through your professional narrative.
✨Prepare for Ethical Scenarios
Ethics are a big deal in human medicine, so expect questions that assess your decision-making in tricky situations. Think about how you'd handle ethical dilemmas or patient confidentiality concerns. Prepare a few examples that illustrate your thought process and how you prioritise patient welfare in your decision-making.
