Job Description

An exciting new collaboration between

MBM Equine, The Equine Vet Clinic,

and

Avondale Equine

--under the stewardship of IVC Evidensia--has led to the creation of

Thistle Equine Vets

, a dedicated first opinion equine veterinary service based on Scotland's west coast.

Over recent years, these three practices have worked closely together, successfully launching a shared out-of-hours service and an RCVS Specialist-led referral centre. With this new partnership comes an exciting leadership opportunity: we're now looking for a

Director of Practice

to join our team.

About Thistle Equine

Thistle Equine offers a wide-ranging and highly experienced service for horse owners, including:Ambulatory care A fully integrated out-of-hours service A specialist-led surgical referral service A team of advanced equine practitioners and qualified equine veterinary nurses


This collaborative model allows us to deliver exceptional clinical care while supporting a cohesive and forward-thinking team.

Could You Be Our New Director of Practice?

We're looking for a strategic, people-focused leader with a passion for equine veterinary care. You'll need to bring experience in operational management--ideally within the equine or veterinary sector--and be driven to lead high-performing clinical and support teams across multiple sites.

Key Responsibilities

As Director of Practice, you will work alongside the Clinical Directors and play a central role in the leadership and management of the practice. You'll be responsible for:

1. Business Growth & Strategic LeadershipDeveloping and delivering the annual business plan Driving continuous improvement and change initiatives Monitoring business performance and engaging the team in shared goals Sharing best practices across the wider IVC Evidensia network


2. Clinical ExcellenceSupporting high clinical standards and governance compliance Promoting a culture of learning, development, and performance improvement


3. Client ExperienceChampioning excellence in client care Supporting client engagement and retention strategies


4. People & CultureCreating an engaging, supportive, and high-performance culture Ensuring appropriate resource planning and team development Maintaining a safe, compliant, and positive working environment


5. Financial ResponsibilityManaging the full P&L of the practice Meeting budgetary goals and driving sustainable business growth


What We're Looking For

Qualifications & Experience:Degree-level education Proven leadership and operational management experience (equine or veterinary sector preferred) A strong understanding of business operations and financial management Experience managing across multiple locations is an advantage


Skills & Attributes:High emotional intelligence (self-awareness, empathy, motivation, self-regulation) Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills Confident problem-solver with sound decision-making abilities Strong organisational skills and time management


This is a unique opportunity to step into a key leadership role within a thriving, collaborative veterinary environment.

Working Hours

This full-time role requires 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with on-site presence.

Why Join Us?

We offer a supportive, growth-focused work environment, where you'll have a significant impact on our operations and client experience. In addition to a competitive salary up to 50,000 per annum, you will benefit from:

Work Life Balance6.8 weeks annual leave Additional time off for your birthday


WellbeingPrivate medical insurance Enhanced family-friendly policies, including maternity/ paternity/ adoption/ shared parental and surrogacy pay Cycle to work scheme Initiatives focused on employee wellbeing Non-accidental injury support


DevelopmentCPD Allowance Learning and development opportunities via the IVC Evidensia Academy Access to Vetlexicon - our encyclopaedia provider Infection prevention and control programme Quality Improvement Programme


Professional MembershipsVDS Cover RCVS Fees


AdditionalPawsome Benefits - reward gateway giving discounts and cashback with 100's of retailers Pension scheme Discounted staff pet care

Up to 50,000 per annum DOE