Lead Veterinary Surgeon

If you are a current Linnaeus Associate, you will need to apply internally. In order to do this, please contact our Talent Acquisition team (details can be found via The Link) and someone will be in touch to discuss and progress your application.

Job Title: Lead Veterinary Surgeon

Location: Rickmansworth & Chorleywood, Hertfordshire

Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)

Practice: Chess Veterinary Clinic

Salary: £65,000–£75,000 DOE per annum

Are you an experienced small animal vet looking for your next step, where you can combine clinical excellence with the opportunity to influence and support a talented team? Chess Veterinary Clinic offers a unique opportunity for a Lead Vet to shape clinical standards, support colleagues, and continue practicing high-quality medicine within a stable, welcoming environment.

With loyal clients, experienced nurses, excellent facilities, and a genuine surgical caseload, this is a role where your clinical opinion will be valued, your experience will make a difference, and you will have the autonomy to help drive the continued success of the practice.

Why join us?

• Opportunity to influence clinical standards and support the continued development of the practice
• Balanced caseload with approximately 40–50% surgery, allowing you to maintain and develop your clinical skills
• Trusted, experienced team with RVNs who have been with the practice for over a decade
• Loyal, largely insured client base who value high-quality, proactive veterinary care
• Structured and predictable rota: 40 hours/week, 1 in 4 Saturdays (1pm–6pm)
• Excellent facilities with opportunities to further develop imaging and advanced clinical skills

The practice & team

Chess Veterinary Clinic has been serving the Hertfordshire community for over 75 years, building trusted relationships with generations of clients. You’ll be primarily based at our Rickmansworth site, a charming, characterful practice set within a converted stable, and will spend 1–2 days per week at our Chorleywood branch, which features a large consult room, spacious waiting area, and recently refurbished facilities.

Both sites are fully equipped to support high-quality medicine, with an in-house laboratory for thyroid, cPLI, cortisol, routine haematology and biochemistry testing, digital radiography including dental imaging, ultrasound for abdominal and cardiac scans, endoscopy equipment, a dedicated theatre, and a separate area for dentals and ultrasonography.

Our experienced team includes a Nursing Manager with 14 years in practice, RVNs with over a decade of experience, a Practice Manager who is also an RVN, and long-standing reception staff. The team is welcoming, collaborative, and supportive, with a strong culture of open case discussion and shared learning.

As Lead Vet, you will play an important role within this established team, using your experience to support colleagues, encourage best practice, and help ensure excellent standards of patient and client care continue across both sites.

The practice is located in an affluent area with excellent access to London, near the Rickmansworth Aquadrome and Chorleywood Common, offering a mix of village charm, countryside walks, and cafes for a great work-life balance.

What We’re Looking For

Experienced small animal GP vet with ideally 8+ years’ UK experience (10+ years preferred)

Strong clinical confidence across both consulting and surgical cases

A passion for working cases up thoroughly and delivering high standards of patient care

A supportive, approachable leader who enjoys mentoring and sharing knowledge with colleagues

Someone who is confident contributing to clinical discussions and helping shape best practice

Excellent communication skills with a collaborative approach to teamwork

A desire to continue developing personally while supporting the growth of others

What We’re Looking For

• Solid small animal GP experience - minimum 3 years UK
• Confidence in both consults and surgery
• Enjoys working up cases fully rather than referring early
• Interest in developing imaging or endoscopy skills
• Values collaboration and open case discussion
• Pride in delivering high standards of patient care
• Ability to work full-time within a structured rota

Benefits

• 5 weeks holiday + bank holidays + Birthday Leave
• RCVS & VDS fees paid
• CPD allowance and 4 days each year to attend events plus Linnaeus CPD Programme (including certificate holder level CPD)
• 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
• Recruitment referral reward scheme
• Employee assistance program
• Eyecare voucher scheme
• Free annual Flu jab
• Cycle to work scheme

Chess 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.

If you would like to apply for the role or for an informal chat to discuss it further, please get in touch with Joanne in the recruitment team ***email_hidden***