Location
Job description
Join a Supportive Team in Beautiful South Wales Make a Real Impact – Clinically, Professionally and as a Leader
Are you an experienced Small Animal Vet looking for the next step in your career? Do you enjoy mentoring colleagues, driving clinical standards, and helping shape how a practice operates, while still maintaining a strong clinical caseload? Abbey Vets is looking for a confident and compassionate Lead Veterinary Surgeon to join our friendly, forward-thinking team in South Wales. This is an exciting opportunity for a vet who enjoys both clinical practice and leadership responsibilities. You’ll work closely with our Clinical Director and Practice Management team to support the continued development of our veterinary service, team culture, and client experience.
The Role As Lead Veterinary Surgeon, you’ll be a key member of the leadership team, combining high-quality first opinion clinical work with mentoring, operational support, and team development responsibilities. Alongside your clinical duties, you will:
This role would suit someone who enjoys developing others, improving processes, and helping create a practice environment where both patients and colleagues thrive.
Our Practice Abbey Vets is a 4-branch RCVS-accredited small animal practice with an established and supportive team culture. Our facilities include:
We encourage clinical freedom, case continuity, and evidence-based decision making, while ensuring colleagues feel well-supported.
Why Join Abbey Vets? A genuinely supportive culture We pride ourselves on being approachable, collaborative, and supportive. We work hard for each other and value kindness, teamwork, and mutual respect. Protected work-life balance We believe sustainable veterinary practice matters. Admin time is built into the day, lunch breaks are protected, and we support flexible working arrangements. Leadership and career development Whether you’re looking to develop leadership skills, pursue a certificate, or further your surgical experience, we’ll actively support your professional goals. A family-friendly approach We understand the importance of balancing work and life commitments and aim to create flexibility wherever possible. A place to enjoy coming to work From regular team socials to daily dog walks and dedicated colleague spaces, we want our teams to genuinely enjoy their working environment.
What Our Team Says “I started at Abbey following a career break. Coming back into practice initially seemed daunting but was made much easier with a friendly and supportive team. There is a collaborative approach to cases and fabulous nursing and admin support. Flexibility with hours and a family-friendly approach has allowed me to find a better work-life balance.” “Starting at Abbey Vets as a New Grad has been a great experience and has helped me to develop my skills and confidence in both surgical and medical cases. The environment encourages learning and improving skills.”
More About the Opportunity
Life in South Wales Based on the edge of the beautiful Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park, Abergavenny offers fantastic access to outdoor activities, excellent food, and a vibrant local community. Recently named one of the best places to live in Wales, the area combines countryside living with excellent transport links:
As proud members of the VetPartners family our excellent benefits package includes:
Join an Employer of the Year! VetPartners has been recognised for outstanding team culture and support. We’d love to hear from you. ** Please apply directly – no agency submissions**
Are you an experienced Small Animal Vet looking for the next step in your career? Do you enjoy mentoring colleagues, driving clinical standards, and helping shape how a practice operates, while still maintaining a strong clinical caseload? Abbey Vets is looking for a confident and compassionate Lead Veterinary Surgeon to join our friendly, forward-thinking team in South Wales. This is an exciting opportunity for a vet who enjoys both clinical practice and leadership responsibilities. You’ll work closely with our Clinical Director and Practice Management team to support the continued development of our veterinary service, team culture, and client experience.
The Role As Lead Veterinary Surgeon, you’ll be a key member of the leadership team, combining high-quality first opinion clinical work with mentoring, operational support, and team development responsibilities. Alongside your clinical duties, you will:
- Support and mentor junior colleagues and new graduates
- Assist with clinical leadership and workflow management across the practice
- Help oversee rota planning and day-to-day diary management
- Support the investigation and management of clinical complaints
- Conduct or assist with one-to-ones, probation reviews, and PDRs
- Promote high clinical standards and collaborative working across the team
- Work closely with the Clinical Director and Practice Manager to support the smooth running of the practice
- Contribute to a positive, supportive, and progressive team culture
This role would suit someone who enjoys developing others, improving processes, and helping create a practice environment where both patients and colleagues thrive.
Our Practice Abbey Vets is a 4-branch RCVS-accredited small animal practice with an established and supportive team culture. Our facilities include:
- Well-equipped branches with in-house laboratory equipment, ultrasound, and digital X-ray
- Abergavenny as our main clinical hub with:
- Newly upgraded DR X-ray
- Dental X-ray
- Ultrasound
- Laser therapy
- Blood gas machines
- 24-hour on-site nurse-led inpatient care Monday–Friday
- Strong clinical support and excellent case discussion culture
- Team of 12 vets, including certificate holders in Medicine and Radiology, plus visiting Specialists
- Surgical mentorship available from Cert AVP colleagues to support advanced surgical development
We encourage clinical freedom, case continuity, and evidence-based decision making, while ensuring colleagues feel well-supported.
Why Join Abbey Vets? A genuinely supportive culture We pride ourselves on being approachable, collaborative, and supportive. We work hard for each other and value kindness, teamwork, and mutual respect. Protected work-life balance We believe sustainable veterinary practice matters. Admin time is built into the day, lunch breaks are protected, and we support flexible working arrangements. Leadership and career development Whether you’re looking to develop leadership skills, pursue a certificate, or further your surgical experience, we’ll actively support your professional goals. A family-friendly approach We understand the importance of balancing work and life commitments and aim to create flexibility wherever possible. A place to enjoy coming to work From regular team socials to daily dog walks and dedicated colleague spaces, we want our teams to genuinely enjoy their working environment.
What Our Team Says “I started at Abbey following a career break. Coming back into practice initially seemed daunting but was made much easier with a friendly and supportive team. There is a collaborative approach to cases and fabulous nursing and admin support. Flexibility with hours and a family-friendly approach has allowed me to find a better work-life balance.” “Starting at Abbey Vets as a New Grad has been a great experience and has helped me to develop my skills and confidence in both surgical and medical cases. The environment encourages learning and improving skills.”
More About the Opportunity
- Salary up to £70,000 FTE, DOE and qualifications
- Higher salary considered for certificate holders or candidates with significant leadership/surgical experience
- Full-time preferred (4-day week)
- Part-time and flexible working patterns considered
- 1:5 Saturday rota
- Inpatient on-call support rota 1:6 (Monday–Friday only)
- No weekend or bank holiday nights on call
- Dedicated night RVN support on-site
- 8:45am start
- Last appointment at 6:15pm
- 15-minute appointments
Life in South Wales Based on the edge of the beautiful Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park, Abergavenny offers fantastic access to outdoor activities, excellent food, and a vibrant local community. Recently named one of the best places to live in Wales, the area combines countryside living with excellent transport links:
- Cardiff – approx. 45 minutes
- Bristol – approx. 45 minutes
- London – approx. 2.5 hours
As proud members of the VetPartners family our excellent benefits package includes:
- 28 days holiday including bank holidays (pro rata)
- £1,750 CPD allowance plus 5 days CPD leave FTE
- RCVS fees paid plus two additional memberships
- VDS cover
- Health Cash Plan - contributions for wellbeing treatments
- Enhanced family leave policies
- Discounted veterinary fees
- One paid volunteering day annually
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Company sick pay
- Visa sponsorship available
- Annual pay reviews
- Wellbeing support initiatives
- Career progression opportunities
- Colleague engagement initiatives and ongoing CPD support
Join an Employer of the Year! VetPartners has been recognised for outstanding team culture and support. We’d love to hear from you. ** Please apply directly – no agency submissions**
