Head Veterinary Surgeon

Head Veterinary Surgeon, Alnorthumbria  Ponteland, Northumberland. 

Rota: 37.5 - 40 hours per week across 4 days a week. Other options available so please get in touch.

Alnorthumbria, Northumberland, are looking for a Head Veterinary Surgeon, to join our Ponteland practice. This is a great opportunity to lead and work within a well-equipped practice and a supportive team culture.

At CVS, we put our colleagues first, giving you the support you need to provide the best possible care. From clinical to non-clinical challenges, you'll always have the resources and teams alongside you. We'll be your biggest supporter it's in our nature.

With market leading learning, on the job training, and collaboration with skilled colleagues, you'll have the tools to grow whether you're building confidence early in your career or looking to deepen your expertise. From advancing in your current role to exploring new leadership or specialist pathways, we provide the support and opportunities to help you achieve your goals. 

Life at Alnorthumbria

Our practice is easily accessible, with disabled access and parking. We are staffed 24/7 to enable a high level of hospitalised inpatient care and out-of-hours service.

Alongside our facilities and specialist equipment, our friendly and experienced veterinary team provides the highest quality of veterinary care, surgery and treatment – along with regular check-ups and routine procedures.

We fully support CPD and career progression, whichever path that may be, and strive to ensure all staff have fantastic job satisfaction. Certificates are encouraged and funded.

We have a visiting diagnostic imager, dermatology, referral dentistry service, ECC and internal medicine certificate holders.

We are a sociable and welcoming team that works hard and plays harder. We hold regular meals out, brunches, and dog walks, and can enjoy the nearby coasts and hills that Northumberland has to offer, as well as being close to both Newcastle and Edinburgh.

About you:

You'll be passionate about coaching, empowering your team, and consistently driving high standards of patient and client care. Your leadership will be key to our continued development as a centre of excellence.

You will be an experienced veterinary surgeon with strong clinical capability and a natural mentor who enjoys developing and supporting colleagues. Proactive and solutions‑focused, you will bring resilience and a positive outlook  while collaborating effectively as a team player who adds professionalism and energy. As a forward‑thinking leader, you will be eager to help shape the future of the practice.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead, motivate, and inspire the veterinary team, upholding exceptional clinical standards and a culture of excellence.
• Deliver outstanding care to clients and patients in line with best practices and RCVS guidelines.
• Work closely with the Practice Manager to maintain and elevate clinical standards, contributing to strategic planning and service development.
• Manage the veterinary team, including routine check-ins, competency assessments, salary discussions, and rota planning in collaboration with the Practice Manager.
• Participate in business performance activities such as budgeting, financial planning, and optimisation of client service.
• Be clinically confident and able to manage both surgical, medicine and emergency cases
• Lead on innovation by introducing progressive medical and surgical techniques to enhance patient outcomes.
• Build and maintain strong, trusting relationships with clients through first-class care and compassionate communication.

The benefits

At CVS, we know that care for our patients starts with dedicated people like you. That's why we invest in your growth and your future. When you join our team, you'll receive:

• RCVS & VDS fees paid in full
• Generous CPD allowance, BSAVA library access, 450+ courses, and fully funded postgraduate qualifications (CertAVP, PgCert) with tuition, exams, and study leave covered
• Up to 33 days holiday (with option to buy/sell)
• CVS Pension Scheme
• Access to Vet Oracle telemedicine specialists, Advanced Clinical Services Network and Regional Clinical Leads for case support and mentoring
• Health cash plan, Employee Assistance Programme, Wellbeing Champions and enhanced family leave policies
• Staff pet care discounts – 50% off services, MiPet food and medications

Interested?

Please click apply now! For further details or an informal chat, please contact Jim in the recruitment team at jim.mcdowell-massar@cvsvets.com. To submit an online application, click Apply Now, upload your CV and we'll be in touch.

Join us at CVS

We're committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome, valued and able to do their best work. We foster an inclusive and equitable workplace, where diverse perspectives are invited and people feel safe to speak up.

Wellbeing support is always available, from monthly line-manager check-ins to our network of 400 Wellbeing Champions, Pastoral Support Vets and personal mentors. We offer leading benefits and policies, such as our Health Shield which provides support for physical and mental health.

Our aim is to free up clinical colleagues to do what they do best, so we offer practices a wide range of operational support. Central expert HR, recruitment, payroll, IT, finance, procurement teams are on hand to support with all aspects relating to the smooth running of each practice.

We prioritise investment in our facilities, delivering significant enhancements across numerous practices through a dedicated multi-million-pound improvement fund. We are based in Ponteland commutable from Darras Hall, Medburn, Prestwick, Kirkley, Milbourne, Berwick Hill, Dinnington, Stamfordham, Matfen, Throckley, Belsay, Whalton, Heddon-on-the-Wall, Hazlerigg, Newburn, Stannington, Seaton Burn, Wideopen, Brunswick Village, Killingworth, Lemington, Wylam, Blaydon, Benwell, Meldon, Gosforth, Horsley, Cramlington, Prudhoe, Newcastle upon Tyne, Whickham, Seghill, Bedlington, Gateshead, Morpeth, Backworth, Seaton Delaval, Hartburn, Rowlands Gill, Wallsend, Shiremoor, Hebron, Felling, Pegswood, Burnopfield, Lamesley, Blyth, Tanfield, Jarrow, Rothley, Whitley Bay, North Shields, Corbridge, Ashington, Healey, Tynemouth, South Shields, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Annfield Plain, Pelton, Longhorsley, Stanley, Consett, Ryton, Ovingham, Ovington, Stocksfield, Riding Mill, Stocksfield, Mickley, Chopwell, Ebchester, Burnhope, Dipton, Leadgate, Sunniside, Marley Hill, Swalwell, Dunston, Low Fell, Birtley, Washington, Chester-le-Street, Hebburn, Boldon Colliery, East Boldon, West Boldon, Whitburn, Cullercoats, Monkseaton, Seaton Sluice, Earsdon, New Hartley, Holywell, Bebside, Choppington, Guide Post, Stakeford, Bomarsund, Bothal, Longhirst, Mitford, Tranwell, Hepscott, Clifton, Stannington Station, Duddo, Capheaton, Bolam, Hartburn, Cambo, Wallington, Scots Gap, Kirkwhelpington, Great Whittington, Matfen, Ryal, Ingoe, Fenwick, Dalton, Dissington, Eachwick, Black Callerton, Callerton, Dalton, Great North Park, Dudley, Camperdown, Burradon, Annitsford, East Cramlington, Seaton Burn, Dudley, Fordley, Forest Hall, Benton, Longbenton, Killingworth Village, Holystone, West Allotment, Murton Village, New York, Battle Hill, Howdon, Walker, Byker, Pelaw, Bill Quay, Ryton, Crawcrook, Clara Vale, Greenside, High Spen, Hamsterley Mill, Medomsley, Shotley Bridge, Blackhill, Castleside, Tantobie, Lanchester, Sacriston, Great Lumley, Ouston, Beamish, Craghead, Langley Park, Witton Gilbert, Corbridge, Acomb, Hexham, Warden, Wall, Slaley, Riding Mill, Newton, Bywell, Prudhoe, Wark, Humshaugh, Chollerford, Barrasford, Stamfordham, Kirkwhelpington, Acklington, Amble, Felton and Longframlington and other locations in the Northumberland, County Durham and Tyne and Wear.