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:
- 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.
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
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 staff 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:
Nestled on the edge of the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park, Abergavenny was named Best Place to Live in Wales by The Sunday Times – and for good reason! Great food, lively community, and beautiful surroundings make it a great place to live and work.
Close to Bristol and Cardiff (45 mins) and London (2.5 hrs).
Our excellent range of benefits includes (pro rata):
- 28 days holiday including bank hols (based on 4 days/week)
- £1750 CPD allowance per annum plus 5 days (based on 4 days/week)
- Health Shield – wide ranging contributions for health and wellbeing treatments – from dentistry to sports massage
- RCVS Membership paid and two other membership subscriptions
- VDS cover
- Enhanced paternity, maternity, adoption, shared parental leave and surrogacy pay
- Discounted veterinary fees
- One day paid for volunteering (your choice of where)
- My Perks – offers, discounts and cashback on shopping, travel, entertainment and much more
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Company sick pay
- Visa sponsorship
- Annual pay reviews
- Focus on employee wellbeing
- Career progression opportunities
- Colleague engagement survey
- CPD/training support
If you’re interested in this great opportunity, please get in touch!
For more information/an informal chat or to apply with a CV email our Clinical Director, Maegan Potter Maegan.potter@abbeyvets.co.uk
We look forward to hearing from you
