Senior Veterinary Surgeon (Kilmarnock)

Senior Veterinary Surgeon Emergency and Critical Care (ECC)

Location: Kilmarnock

Salary: up to 85,000 DOE

Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent

Collaborate, thrive, and save pets lives

At Vets Now, we believe that when your purpose is to make a difference, you deserve a team that shares your passion. In our Kilmarnock clinic, were looking for a Head/Lead Veterinary Surgeon to lead from the front – inspiring clinical excellence and guiding a high-performing and collaborative team that supports pets and people when they need it most.

Kilmarnock is home to a close knit and highly experienced team, with a particularly longstanding nursing cohort who have worked together for many years with minimal change. The clinic benefits from a stable and supportive culture, with veterinary surgeons who bring a wealth of experience, many having previously worked in charity practice. The team includes dedicated CE and Sunday vets, ensuring strong clinical continuity and support. Recruitment opportunities here are rare, reflecting the positive working environment and long-term retention within the clinic. Ideally located just behind Kilmarnock train station, the clinic is exceptionally well connected by public transport, making commuting straightforward from surrounding areas. As part of the wider Vets Now network, the clinic plays a vital role in providing trusted out-of-hours emergency care to pets across Kilmarnock and the surrounding communities.

Lead with Clinical Excellence

As Senior Vet, youll lead by example by blending clinical expertise with mentorship and collaboration. Youll set the tone for quality care, lead in emergency situations, and support the development of your fellow clinicians. You\’ll have responsibility for:

Driving and upholding clinical standards across the clinic

Supporting the growth, training and wellbeing of your veterinary team

Identifying clinical development opportunities and shaping team progression

Championing innovation and service improvement within the clinic

This is more than a job. This is a vital leadership role with real impact where your guidance helps shape the future of ECC, while making a difference to patients, clients, and colleagues every day.

Work-Life Balance That Works For You

This full-time role averages 40 hours per week, including:

Weekday nights and 1:2 weekends (mix of nights and days)

Nightshifts 18:00-0900, Saturday day 1200-1830 and Sunday day 0830-1830

Shared bank holidays

No more than three consecutive nights

Protected time for leadership duties and meetings

We understand that life outside of work matters too. Thats why we offer flexibility and can explore part-time arrangements, depending on clinic requirements because your balance is our priority.

Rewarding Work, Your Way

We look after you, so you can look after them, by offering a highly competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including:

Salary up to 85,000 DOE

Seven weeks pro rata annual leave

1,875 CPD allowance + 35 paid CPD hours (pro rata)

RCVS fees, VECCS membership, and VDS cover

Private medical insurance

Family-friendly policies – enhanced maternity, paternity & adoption pay

Leadership Development Programme

Access to our AdvantEdge clinical training platform

Standard pension contributions (5% employee / 3% employer)

Up to 50% discounted pet care

Support That Sets You Up for Success

Youre never alone at Vets Now: on-shift youll work alongside a registered vet nurse, an animal care assistant and a receptionist, and you can contact any of our clinics or referral centers across the UK at any time, day or night, if needing to discuss a particular case or share ideas.

Youll also be supported by our Support Office in Dunfermline, where our teams work behind the scenes to help you thrive. Our Call Handlers and Customer Care Advisors ensure you can focus on what matters most to your patients.

Ready to Lead with Purpose?

If youd like to visit the clinic or chat about the role before applying, contact Jessica in our Talent Team at jessica.allcock@vets-now.com

Inclusion and Accessibility

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability or health condition, were committed to making reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.