At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dedicated team while providing exceptional care to pets and shaping clinical standards.
- Company: Join Village Vet, part of the largest family-owned veterinary group globally.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Work-life balance in beautiful Berkhamsted with access to London.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a supportive environment while enjoying a varied clinical caseload.
- Qualifications: Experienced Veterinary Surgeon with strong leadership skills and a passion for animal care.
The predicted salary is between 45293 - 55359 £ per year.
Location: Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire
Hours: 42 hours per week across 4 days, including weekends with flexible options available - A choice of either a consulting weekend rota (1 in 3 Saturdays and 1 in 12 Sundays) or a hospital weekend rota (1 in 6 full weekends), with appropriate time off in lieu and overtime arrangements.
Practice: Village Vet Berkhamsted & St Albans Hospital
Salary: Up to £75,000 DOE + relocation support available for direct candidates
If you're an experienced Veterinary Surgeon ready to take the next step in your career, this is an opportunity to make a genuine impact without stepping away from the clinical work you love. We're looking for a Lead Veterinary Surgeon to join our welcoming and established Berkhamsted team, combining hands-on first opinion practice with the opportunity to shape the future of the clinic.
Whether you've already led a team or you're ready to step into your first leadership position, you'll have the autonomy to influence clinical standards, support and develop your colleagues, and help drive the practice forward, whilst continuing to enjoy a varied and rewarding clinical caseload.
This is more than a traditional Lead Vet role. It's an opportunity to lead an established practice with the support of the wider Village Vet network and St Albans Hospital behind you. You'll enjoy the autonomy of leading your own team whilst benefiting from collaboration with experienced colleagues, access to advanced facilities and the confidence of knowing you're never professionally isolated. It's the ideal balance for someone who wants to make a real impact whilst continuing to grow both clinically and as a leader.
Why join us:
- Competitive salary of up to £75,000 DOE, with relocation support available for direct candidates
- A genuine leadership opportunity where you can influence clinical standards, ways of working and the future direction of the practice whilst remaining hands-on clinically
- Approximately 60% consulting and 40% surgery, allowing you to enjoy a varied caseload whilst balancing your leadership responsibilities
- A loyal, affluent and highly insured client base, giving you the clinical freedom to investigate cases thoroughly and practise evidence-based medicine to a high standard
- Work within a well-equipped practice featuring ultrasound, digital radiography, digital dental radiography, a dedicated operating theatre, separate dental suite, kennel facilities and vivariums
- Strong collaboration with the wider Village Vet network and St Albans Hospital, providing access to experienced colleagues, advanced facilities and additional clinical support whenever needed
- A stable, experienced and genuinely supportive team environment where your ideas, leadership and clinical expertise will be valued
- Excellent opportunities for continued professional development, leadership development and long-term career progression within one of the UK's leading veterinary groups
The team and practice:
You’ll be joining an established and close-knit team that prides itself on delivering exceptional patient care whilst maintaining a collaborative, supportive and enjoyable working environment. We’re particularly keen to hear from Veterinary Surgeons with a passion for companion animal medicine and surgery, helping to further strengthen and complement our clinical offering, and you will be supported by a collaborative team of 3 RVNs and 4 Client Care Assistants.
As Lead Vet, you’ll play an important role in shaping the clinical direction of the practice, supporting and developing your colleagues, encouraging clinical excellence and fostering a positive team culture where everyone can thrive. Whilst dedicated new graduate mentoring sits within the wider Village Vet programme, you’ll have opportunities to coach and support colleagues as part of your leadership role without carrying sole responsibility for a graduate from day one.
Village Vet Berkhamsted has built an excellent reputation within the local community and benefits from a loyal, affluent client base with a high proportion of insured patients. This allows our vets the clinical freedom to work cases up thoroughly, explore the best treatment options and deliver exceptional patient care based on clinical judgement rather than financial limitations.
Working closely with our St Albans Hospital gives you the best of both worlds. You’ll enjoy the autonomy and continuity of leading your own first opinion practice whilst having access to experienced colleagues, advanced diagnostics, additional equipment and a wider multidisciplinary network whenever required. It creates a collaborative environment where you’re empowered to make decisions independently but always have expert support available when you need it.
Situated on the edge of the beautiful Chiltern Hills, Berkhamsted offers an exceptional quality of life. Combining historic charm with independent cafés, restaurants, green open spaces and excellent schools, it’s an ideal location for those looking to enjoy a better work-life balance. With direct rail links into London in around 30 minutes, you’ll benefit from countryside living without sacrificing access to the capital.
What We’re Looking For:
- An experienced small animal Veterinary Surgeon with strong UK first opinion practice experience (at least 5 years) confident managing routine medical and surgical cases independently
- Previous experience working within UK general practice is essential, enabling you to confidently lead the clinical team and make sound independent clinical decisions
- Someone ready to take ownership of a practice, influence clinical standards and inspire those around them
- A collaborative leader who enjoys supporting and developing colleagues whilst creating a positive, inclusive and high‑performing team culture
- Excellent communication skills with a passion for building trusted, long‑term client relationships
- A strong interest in companion animal medicine and surgery, particularly dogs and cats
- A commitment to delivering exceptional standards of patient and client care every day
- Previous leadership experience is welcomed but isn’t essential, we’d also love to hear from experienced clinicians who are ready to take the next step into a Lead Veterinary Surgeon role
What We Offer:
- 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays and Birthday Leave
- RCVS and VDS fees paid
- External CPD funded
- Extensive free online Linnaeus CPD program
- Career progression opportunities
- Staff discount schemes
- Life Assurance
- Enhanced sickness pay
- Enhanced equal family leave
- E-car salary sacrifice scheme
- Employer contribution pension scheme
- Recruitment referral reward scheme
- Wellness program including: Employee assistance program, Eyecare voucher scheme, Free annual Flu jab, Cycle to work scheme
About Us:
Village Vets is part of Linnaeus and Mars Veterinary Health, the largest family-owned veterinary company in the world. Being privately owned, we can truly be driven by our purpose, to create a better world, and think long‑term as opposed to being focused solely on short‑term profits. At Linnaeus, A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS starts with a better world for our people. Our Associates are over 6000 strong and empowered to speak up, step up and deliver quality services. You’ll have access to a huge network of specialists, worldwide development opportunities and an easily accessible, comprehensive wellbeing package that prioritises your physical and mental health, allowing you to focus on what you do best – care for pets. We are committed to fostering a culture that is inclusive and diverse, we care about you and want you to be authentic, with everything you need to perform at your best. We are all individual but two important things bring us together: a commitment to excellence and our passion to achieve our purpose.
Lead Veterinary Surgeon - Village Vet Berkhamsted employer: Village Vet
At Village Vet Milton, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values work-life balance and professional development. Our Twilight Veterinary Surgeons enjoy a unique shift pattern that allows for meaningful patient care while working alongside a supportive and experienced team in one of Cambridgeshire's few RCVS Tier 3 accredited hospitals. With extensive CPD opportunities, a commitment to high standards of care, and a culture that fosters collaboration and inclusivity, we empower our staff to thrive both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Veterinary Surgeon - Village Vet Berkhamsted
✨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 Lead Veterinary Surgeon - Village Vet Berkhamsted at Village Vet.
✨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 Village Vet!
✨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 Lead Veterinary Surgeon - Village Vet Berkhamsted.
✨Leverage University Career Services
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We think you need these skills to ace Lead Veterinary Surgeon - Village Vet Berkhamsted
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:When applying for the Lead Veterinary Surgeon - Village Vet Berkhamsted at Village Vet, 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 Lead Veterinary Surgeon - Village Vet Berkhamsted at Village Vet. 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 Village Vet will definitely appreciate!
How to prepare for a job interview at Village Vet
✨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.
