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- Tasks: Lead a team of vets, providing vital care to pets in need.
- Company: Join PDSA, a century-old charity dedicated to helping pets and their owners.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous holiday, and professional development support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of pets and their owners every day.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified veterinary surgeon with strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Make a difference every day with PDSA. Join us to help keep even more people and pets together when times are tough. For over a century, PDSA has provided vital veterinary care for the pets of people in financial hardship. We’re now on a journey to expand our reach to support 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.
About you: We’re looking for a Senior Veterinary Surgeon (SVS) to join our friendly team at Leeds. If you thrive on variety, enjoy taking the clinical lead and want to make a meaningful impact, this could be the role for you. At PDSA, no two days are ever the same – you’ll see a wide range of medical and surgical cases, including more complex workups, giving you the chance to develop your skills while making a real difference to pets and owners who really need our help.
You’ll bring strong clinical confidence, sound judgement and a calm, pragmatic approach to decision-making. You’re comfortable leading on cases, supporting colleagues with second opinions and discussing realistic, evidence-based options with clients. Excellent communication skills are key; you’ll build trust with pet owners, explain treatment plans clearly, and work closely with the wider clinical and client service teams to ensure joined-up, compassionate care.
As a Senior Veterinary Surgeon, you’ll be a visible, approachable senior member of the team. You’ll lead a team of three vets initially, with plans to grow to five or six as the hospital develops. You’ll enjoy coaching and mentoring others, sharing your experience, and helping to embed high clinical standards and good governance in everyday practice. You’ll also receive internal leadership training and ongoing support to help you thrive in the role.
Work pattern & rota: We recognise the importance of work–life balance and have a rota designed to support it:
- No weekend or bank holiday working
- Flexibility to work over four or five days per week, depending on what suits you best
The SVS role is currently split between clinical work and management responsibilities, giving you a varied and engaging week with time dedicated to both patient care and team leadership.
About the hospital: Leeds is a highly collaborative, effective hospital, a great place for teamwork, case discussion and shared learning. The hospital is centrally located in Leeds, offering easy access to the city centre and excellent transport links. Our teams have varied clinical interests, giving you access to a wide pool of knowledge and experience when discussing cases and treatment plans. There is also a strong support network across our regional hospitals and Regional Managers, ensuring you always have peer support when you need it. Our Pet Hospitals are modern and well-equipped and include separate dog and cat kennelling facilities, in-house radiography, ultrasound, endoscopy, piped gases and extensive orthopaedic equipment.
Rewards, support and benefits: We’re really passionate about being a great place to work, somewhere 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:
- Flexible working options to support your work–life balance and individual circumstances.
- CPD allowance of one week and £1,000 per year for development.
- Payment of your full RCVS fees, so you’re never out of pocket.
- Extensive internal CPD programmes plus discounts for BSAVA Congress and London Vet Show.
- 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, 24/7 wellbeing support and private medical cover included.
- Retail, holiday and lifestyle discounts available through our staff Fetch benefits platform.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave to support you and your family.
- 10% discount on PDSA Pet Insurance plus access to staff veterinary services.
PDSA is committed to embedding a culture of diversity and inclusion within our teams that reflect the communities we serve. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals are able to make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit. We offer a range of family-friendly, inclusive employment policies and opportunities for flexible working arrangements to support team members from different backgrounds.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding accessibility, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss via email or telephone reasonable adjustments that you may require throughout the recruitment process. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, adults at risk and all our colleagues and expect everyone who works for us to also share this commitment and to treat people with courtesy and respect. To support this commitment, our recruitment & selection processes are robust and rigorous. All appointments will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate background checks.
Senior Veterinary Surgeon in Leeds employer: PDSA
Contact Detail:
PDSA Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Veterinary Surgeon in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow vets, attend local events, and connect with PDSA staff on social media. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching PDSA’s mission and values. Show us how your passion for animal welfare aligns with our goals. We love candidates who are genuinely excited about making a difference!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your clinical scenarios! Be ready to discuss your approach to complex cases and how you’d lead a team. We want to see your clinical confidence and decision-making skills in action.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression. It shows us you’re keen and professional, which is exactly what we’re looking for.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Veterinary Surgeon in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your passion for veterinary care shine through! We want to see how much you care about making a difference for pets and their owners, so share your experiences that highlight this.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to fit the Senior Veterinary Surgeon role. Highlight your clinical skills, leadership experience, and any specific cases that demonstrate your ability to handle a variety of situations. We love seeing how you align with our mission!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to explain your qualifications and experiences. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for our team.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the easiest 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 Stuff
As a Senior Veterinary Surgeon, you'll need to showcase your clinical confidence and sound judgement. Brush up on common medical and surgical cases, especially those that are more complex. Be ready to discuss your approach to treatment plans and how you would lead a team in these situations.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves leading a team of vets, it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Prepare examples of how you've coached or mentored colleagues in the past. Highlight your experience in fostering a collaborative environment and how you plan to support your team at PDSA.
✨Communicate Clearly
Excellent communication skills are key for this position. Practice explaining complex medical concepts in simple terms, as you'll need to build trust with pet owners. Think about how you would handle difficult conversations and ensure you can convey empathy and understanding.
✨Embrace Change and Innovation
PDSA is on a journey to expand its reach, so show your enthusiasm for embracing change. Be prepared to discuss how you've adapted to new challenges in your previous roles and how you can contribute to shaping a future-focused PDSA. Your passion for making a difference will resonate well with the interviewers.