Job Description

Purpose-built hospital | Genuine leadership role | 4-day week

If you want to lead without losing why you became a vet

If you love clinical work but also care deeply about developing people, shaping standards, and creating a culture you are proud of, this role could feel like a real step forward, not a step away from practice.

The Opportunity

We are working with a not-for-profit veterinary organisation opening a brand-new, purpose-built hospital in St Helens. This is not about inheriting problems or firefighting legacy issues. You will be part of building something properly, from standards and workflows to culture and leadership tone.





This Lead Veterinary Surgeon role is designed for someone who wants to guide, mentor, and elevate a team while still being hands-on clinically. You will work closely with an experienced Practice Manager and Lead Nurse, sharing responsibility for clinical standards, performance, and the everyday rhythm of the hospital.





The wider mission matters here. This organisation exists to provide affordable, transparent veterinary care, reinvesting profits back into people and patients. That ethos shapes decision-making, caseloads, and the way the team supports one another.

Why This Role Is Different

A hospital built for excellent medicine

This is a large, modern facility designed to support calm, efficient clinical work, not constant compromise. You will have:

9 spacious consulting rooms

3 fully equipped operating theatres

A dedicated diagnostic suite with

digital X-ray

A

separate dental suite

An

isolation unit

Separate

cat and dog wards

for low-stress care A central prep area that genuinely improves workflow




The hospital will deliver first opinion, referral, and out-of-hours care, giving you clinical variety and influence without burning out the team.

Leadership with support, not pressure

You are not expected to do everything alone. Leadership here is shared and supported. You will coach and mentor vets, lead clinical governance, and contribute to performance conversations, with structure around you rather than vague expectations.

Business exposure without corporate nonsense

You will be involved in reviewing KPIs and P&L performance, but curiosity and willingness matter more than previous experience. If you want to grow this side of your skillset, you will be supported to do so.

Your Journey Here

In your first month

, you will focus on getting to know the team, embedding values, understanding workflows, and setting the tone for clinical standards and communication.

By three months

, you will be confidently leading clinical discussions, supporting vets through coaching and one-to-ones, and contributing to performance and operational decisions alongside the management team.

By six months

, you will be a trusted clinical leader within the hospital, shaping governance, mentoring future leaders, and helping define how this site continues to grow and serve its community.

What's On Offer

Compensation and time

Salary up to

73,544

38 hours over a

4-day week

2:9 Saturdays 6 weeks' holiday

Professional support and development

Funded CPD

Support to complete

VetGDP

, if not already held

RCVS and VDS fees paid

Security and wellbeing

52 weeks sickness benefit

Private healthcare Free employee assistance programme Enhanced maternity and paternity pay Access to mental health, financial, and life counselling after 12 months

Extras that add up

Visa sponsorship available Cycle to work and E-Car schemes Staff discounts and Vivup store discounts Contributory pension scheme

The Candor Vets Difference

At Candor Vets, we do not push roles or rush decisions. We listen, we explain, and we help you decide if something is right for you.

Ready to Explore?

If this sounds like the kind of leadership role where you could do your best work and still have a life outside the clinic, let's have a confidential, no-pressure conversation.





Job Reference LVS009