Senior Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal

Senior Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal

Full-Time 70000 - 70000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Spring Lodge Veterinary Group - Broomfield Road

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and support a dynamic team while providing hands-on veterinary care.
  • Company: Join the UK's number one vet care provider, dedicated to animal health.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holiday, and private medical insurance.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional development and growth.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of veterinary care while making a real impact on animal wellbeing.
  • Qualifications: RCVS registration and strong clinical skills required.

The predicted salary is between 70000 - 70000 £ per year.

Salary of up to £70,000 DOE. Relocation allowance up to £3,000. Welcome bonus up to £3,000.

At inspiring vet care, our people are at the heart of everything we do. As the UK’s number one vet care provider, we're trusted with the care of over 2 million animals, delivering our purpose of healthier animals and happier owners. We are looking for an experienced Veterinary Surgeon to step into an additional Clinical Lead role, joining our established Clinical Lead team within a six‑site practice in Essex. This is a key position for a confident clinician who enjoys a varied caseload while helping to shape clinical standards, support colleagues, and contribute to the continued growth of our practice.

You won’t be leading alone; you’ll work alongside our existing senior leadership group, adding your experience and perspective to a collaborative Clinical Lead structure that already supports our teams across all sites. This role has been created to strengthen our leadership capacity as we continue to expand, evolve, and invest in clinical excellence.

A Role That Balances Clinical Work and Leadership

You’re an experienced Veterinary Surgeon with RCVS registration, strong clinical capability, and a natural ability to support and guide others. You will play a key role in shaping clinical direction, supporting less experienced vets, and working closely with the wider leadership team, whilst continuing to enjoy hands‑on clinical work across consultations, surgery, and diagnostics. You’ll have the opportunity to influence how the practice grows and evolves, contributing to clinical standards, continuous improvement and a strong, collaborative culture amongst our six clinics.

As an established six‑site small animal practice, we have a large clinical team supported by experienced support staff and we offer strong support for certificate development and clinical interests across the team. If you’re an experienced vet ready to shape the future of a well‑established practice while continuing hands‑on work, this could be the perfect next step.

Clinical Variety with Real Depth

Experience within a senior role would be an advantage, but just as important is your ability to communicate well, build relationships and create an environment where people feel supported to do their best work. See a broad mix of patients including cats, dogs, small furries and wildlife. The caseload includes routine work alongside certificate holders in surgery, cardiology, ophthalmology and internal medicine, with hospital status allowing exposure to complex cases.

Have access to ultrasound, endoscopy, ECG, a full IDEXX lab, digital and dental x‑ray, and a wide range of laparoscopic and orthopedic equipment, all within a practice committed to continuous improvement and sustainability. Main site offers separate cat and dog areas, multiple consult rooms, three theatres, dedicated imaging and lab spaces, purpose‑built wards, quiet office areas and welcoming staff facilities, opportunities to work across multiple branches.

Vets work 40 hours over four days, with shifts from 8am to a 6.30pm last appointment. The rota includes 1 in 5 Saturday mornings and 1 in 8 emergency day cover for our own clients only. There’s no on‑call, and weekend working is balanced with extra time off, allowing up to five consecutive rest days.

You Matter to Us - Your Benefits at a Glance

  • Work‑life Balance & Wellbeing: 6.8 weeks’ holiday including bank holidays - plus your birthday off, private medical insurance, enhanced family‑friendly leave and pay, 24/7 confidential Employee Assistance Programme.
  • Development: £1,250 CPD allowance + 40 hours paid CPD, certificate and advanced learning support & access to Vetlexicon online resources, world leading independent vet care training centres, £1,250 annual Care Fund for every vet.
  • Professional Memberships: BVA membership, VDS cover, RCVS fees.
  • Colleague Benefits: Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (eligibility applies), retail discounts and cashback offers, reduced‑cost veterinary care for your own pets.

We’re committed to supporting our people through career development opportunities, wellbeing initiatives and access to world‑class learning resources. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take the next step in your career, inspiring vet care offers the support, opportunity and community to help you grow.

Senior Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal employer: Spring Lodge Veterinary Group - Broomfield Road

At Inspiring Vet Care, we prioritise our people and their professional growth, making us an exceptional employer for Veterinary Surgeons. Located in Essex, our six-site practice offers a collaborative work culture, generous benefits including a competitive salary, relocation allowance, and extensive CPD support, all while ensuring a healthy work-life balance with 6.8 weeks of holiday. Join us to shape the future of veterinary care while enjoying a varied caseload and the opportunity to lead within a supportive team environment.

Spring Lodge Veterinary Group - Broomfield Road

Contact Details:

Spring Lodge Veterinary Group - Broomfield Road Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow vets, attend industry events, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios specific to veterinary practice. Role-play with a friend or mentor to build your confidence and refine your answers.

Tip Number 3

Showcase your passion for animal care during interviews. Share stories about your experiences with different cases and how you've contributed to team success. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly cares.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our inspiring vet care community.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Veterinary Surgeon - Small Animal

RCVS Registration
Clinical Capability
Leadership Skills
Communication Skills
Relationship Building
Surgery Skills
Diagnostic Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Senior Veterinary Surgeon role. Highlight your clinical capabilities, leadership experience, and any special interests that match our practice's needs.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for veterinary care and how you can contribute to our collaborative culture. Don’t forget to mention why you’re excited about joining our team in Essex!

Showcase Your Clinical Experience:We want to see your hands-on experience! Include specific examples of cases you've managed, surgeries performed, or any leadership roles you've taken on. This will help us understand your depth of knowledge and commitment to clinical excellence.

Apply Through Our Website:To make sure your application gets the attention it deserves, apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and keep track of your application throughout the process!

How to prepare for a job interview at Spring Lodge Veterinary Group - Broomfield Road

Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your clinical knowledge and recent advancements in veterinary medicine. Be prepared to discuss specific cases you've handled, especially those that showcase your leadership skills and ability to support colleagues.

Showcase Your Leadership Style

Since this role involves a Clinical Lead position, think about how you can demonstrate your leadership abilities. Prepare examples of how you've guided less experienced vets or contributed to a collaborative team environment in the past.

Understand the Practice's Values

Familiarise yourself with the practice's mission and values. Be ready to explain how your personal values align with theirs, particularly around animal care and team collaboration. This shows you're not just looking for any job, but that you're genuinely interested in being part of their community.

Ask Thoughtful Questions

Prepare some insightful questions to ask during the interview. Inquire about their approach to continuous improvement and how they support professional development. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the practice is the right fit for you.