Lead Veterinary Surgeon

Job Title: Lead Veterinary Surgeon 
Salary: Up to £70,000 per annum (D.O.E) Welcome bonus of up to £5,000 (direct applicants only) 
Location: Donnachie and Townley Veterinary Centre, Stafford & Rugeley 
Job Type: Permanent 
Hours: 40 hours per week over 4 days with a 1:3 Saturday mornings only and No OOH 

Are you an experienced Veterinary Surgeon ready to take the next step into a leadership role? We are looking for a confident and compassionate Lead Veterinary Surgeon to help guide our clinical team, support the development of colleagues, and maintain the high standards of care our clients and patients have come to expect. 

Join Donnachie & Townley, where compassion, clinical excellence, and professional growth go hand in hand. This is an exciting opportunity to influence the clinical direction of a well-established practice while enjoying a varied caseload and building lasting relationships with patients and clients. 

Why Join Us? 

• Established and respected practice – Donnachie and Townley Veterinary Centre has proudly served the local community for over 30 years across our two small animal sites in Rugeley and the surrounding areas. 

• True clinical leadership – As Lead Veterinary Surgeon, you will play a key role in shaping clinical standards, protocols and best practices across the practice. You will work closely with the Practice Manager and senior team to support the continued growth and success of the practice. 

• Influence and autonomy – You will have the opportunity to influence clinical decision-making, help develop services, and drive clinical excellence while maintaining a high level of autonomy in your day-to-day work. 

• Mentorship and team development – Support and mentor colleagues, including our newer vets, helping to build confidence, share knowledge and develop clinical skills within a supportive learning environment. 

• Modern, well-equipped premises – Recently renovated, light and spacious sites with two theatres at Rugeley (linked by glass), plus digital X-ray, Vista scanner, in-house blood machines, ultrasound, and dental radiography. 

• High standards of care – Both sites hold Cat-Friendly Silver status, along with Silver RWAF, Dog Friendly status and Green Investors in the Environment (iiE) accreditation. 

Our Team 

Our team consists of 4 experienced Veterinary Surgeons and one new graduate, supported by a skilled nursing team and a friendly front-of-house team. As Lead Vet, you will play a key role in supporting and developing the veterinary team, providing clinical guidance, mentorship and case support when needed. 

We actively encourage CPD and further qualifications, and our nursing team are Schedule 3 trained, allowing us to deliver high-quality patient care efficiently and collaboratively. 

We have close associations with all Linnaeus practices in the area, enabling access to a wider range of facilities and services across the group. This network also allows us to share CPD events, collaborate on complex cases, and support specific caseloads between practices. 

We take great pride in our close-knit and supportive team culture. We are highly motivated, passionate about our work, and committed to maintaining exceptional standards of care. We are also a sociable group who genuinely enjoy working together. 

As a local practice, we value building strong, long-term relationships with our clients and prioritise case continuity wherever possible. 

What We’re Looking For 

• An experienced small animal Veterinary Surgeon with strong clinical skills in first opinion practice. 

• A confident clinician who is comfortable managing routine surgical and medical cases and supporting colleagues with case discussions when required. 

• Previous leadership or mentoring experience is desirable, or a genuine interest in stepping into a leadership role. 

• Someone who enjoys mentoring colleagues, contributing to clinical discussions, and helping to develop a positive team culture. 

• A proactive individual who is keen to contribute to clinical standards, team development, and the continued success of the practice. 

What We Offer 

• 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays and birthday leave 
• Relocation support 
• RCVS and VDS fees paid 
• Employer contribution pension scheme 
• Life assurance 
• E-car salary sacrifice scheme 
• Enhanced equal family leave 
• Extensive internal and funded external CPD, including leadership development and management training 
• Access to Linnaeus clinical communities and specialist network for case collaboration and development 

About Us 

Donnachie and Townley 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 for pets – and think long-term rather than focusing solely on short-term profits. 

At Linnaeus, A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS starts with a better world for our people. Our Associates are over 6,000 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 a comprehensive wellbeing package that prioritises your physical and mental health, allowing you to focus on what you do best – caring for pets. 

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture where everyone feels valued and supported. We encourage our people to bring their authentic selves to work, with everything they need to perform at their best. While we are all individuals, two important things bring us together: our commitment to excellence and our shared passion for achieving our purpose. 

To apply, please complete the quick application form below. Alternatively, for more information please contact Lissa at Lissa.Semerdak@linnaeusgroup.co.uk or call 07523268918. 

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