Head Veterinary Surgeon - Leadership Role in a Supportive, Modern Practice

Welcome bonus: £5,000 | Salary up to £80,000 | Full clinical leadership responsibility

We are seeking an experienced and confident Head Veterinary Surgeon to take clinical leadership of a well-established, standalone small animal practice. This is a key senior role for a vet who wants to shape clinical standards, mentor colleagues, and influence the future direction of a thriving practice while remaining hands-on clinically.

Your Role as Head Veterinary Surgeon:

You will lead the clinical direction of the practice, working closely with the practice owner. You’ll be responsible for guiding, supporting, and developing a team of 3 Vets, helping to ensure consistently high clinical standards and a collaborative, progressive culture.

This is a genuine leadership position with autonomy over clinical decision-making and case management, while remaining embedded in a supportive, owner-led structure. You’ll play a central role in shaping the continued growth and reputation of the Rayleigh practice.

The Team Around You:

You’ll join a strong, established team including:

• 3 Vets (whom you will lead and mentor)


• 4 RVNs


• 1 Student Nurse


• 4 VCAs


• Dedicated Client Care Team 

Work–Life Balance & Hours:

• Full-time position with flexible working patterns


• No on-call, no bank holidays, and no out-of-hours requirements


• Weekend rota: 1:4 (Saturday 9am–5pm, Sunday 10am–4pm), shared fairly across the team 

Salary & Benefits:

• Salary up to £80,000 Dependant on Experience


• £5,000 welcome / relocation bonus


• Pension and paid professional memberships


• Visa sponsorship available (A+ rated sponsor)


• Relocation support (UK and international)


• Extensive career progression opportunities


• Exclusive lifestyle and retail discounts (including up to 30% off Pets at Home) 

The Practice:

This is a modern, purpose-built practice with advanced equipment and a broad, varied caseload. Clinical freedom is actively encouraged, supported by regular clinical meetings, in-house CPD, and collaboration with a visiting orthopaedic certificate holder.
The culture is genuinely team-focused, with strong communication systems including weekly updates and regular clinical discussions to maintain high standards of care.

Location – Rayleigh:

Rayleigh is a well-connected Essex market town, offering excellent transport links:

• 40 minutes to London Liverpool Street by train


• Short walk to Rayleigh station and high street


• Easy access to Chelmsford, Southend-on-Sea, and major airports


• Close to the Essex coastline and open countryside


• Near major retail destinations including Bluewater and Lakeside 

This is a location that genuinely supports a strong work–life balance, combining city access with coastal and rural living.

Location: SS6 7JN

We take our inspiration from pets in embracing people from all walks of life, and we value, respect and celebrate difference. We encourage our people to be their best selves so that we can create a better world for Pets, our Planet, and People. Our ambition is to reflect the diversity of the communities we operate in, and we are intentional in addressing and removing barriers to create opportunities for the exceptional talent and potential in our communities. Even if your skills and experience don’t perfectly align, if you think you can make a unique contribution through your values and behaviours, we want to hear from you!