Senior Veterinary Surgeon

Make a difference every day with PDSA  

About Us   

Join us to help keep even more people and pets together when times are tough. For over a century, PDSA have provided vital veterinary care for the pets of people in financial hardship.    

We’re now on a journey to expand our reach to support even more people and their beloved pets. To achieve this ambitious goal, we need passionate and driven individuals who are ready to embrace change and help shape a future-focused PDSA. Together, we'll build a stronger organisation to ensure our services help those who need us most for the next hundred years.    

If you're ready to make a real difference and be part of a team that's creating positive change, we want you to join us. Let's build a brighter future for pets and their owners, together.   

About you  

We’re looking for a Senior Veterinary Surgeon (SVS) to join our friendly team at Leeds. If you thrive on variety, enjoy taking the clinical lead and want to make a meaningful impact, this could be the role for you. At PDSA, no two days are ever the same – you’ll see a wide range of medical and surgical cases, including more complex workups, giving you the chance to develop your skills while making a real difference to pets and owners who really need our help. 

You’ll bring strong clinical confidence, sound judgement and a calm, pragmatic approach to decision-making. You’re comfortable leading on cases, supporting colleagues with second opinions and discussing realistic, evidence-based options with clients. Excellent communication skills are key, you’ll build trust with pet owners, explain treatment plans clearly, and work closely with the wider clinical and client service teams to ensure joined-up, compassionate care. 

As a Senior Veterinary Surgeon, you’ll be a visible, approachable senior member of the team. You’ll lead a team of three vets initially, with plans to grow to five or six as the hospital develops. You’ll enjoy coaching and mentoring others, sharing your experience, and helping to embed high clinical standards and good governance in everyday practice.

You’ll also receive internal leadership training and ongoing support to help you thrive in the role.

Work pattern & rota 

We recognise the importance of work–life balance and have a rota designed to support it: 

• No weekend or bank holiday working

• Flexibility to work over four or five days per week, depending on what suits you best

• We’re very open to discussing your preferred working pattern at interview.

• The SVS role is currently split between clinical work and management responsibilities, giving you a varied and engaging week with time dedicated to both patient care and team leadership.

About the hospital  

Leeds is a highly collaborative, effective hospital, a great place for teamwork, case discussion and shared learning. The hospital is centrally located in Leeds, offering easy access to the city centre and excellent transport links.

Our teams have varied clinical interests, giving you access to a wide pool of knowledge and experience when discussing cases and treatment plans. There is also a strong support network across our regional hospitals and Regional Managers, ensuring you always have peer support when you need it.

Our Pet Hospitals are modern and well-equipped and include separate dog and cat kennelling facilities, in-house radiography, ultrasound, endoscopy, piped gases and extensive orthopaedic equipment.  

Rewards, support and benefits  

We’re really passionate about being a great place to work, somewhere people feel proud of what they do, connected to a meaningful purpose, and able to make a genuine difference every day. Our teams are collaborative and supportive, and we encourage everyone to bring their ideas, individuality and passion for pets to work with them.  

As well as a rewarding role and a positive, people-focused culture, we also offer a wide range of benefits, including:   

• Flexible working options to support your work–life balance and individual circumstances.  

• CPD allowance of one week and £1,000 per year for development.  

• Payment of your full RCVS fees, so you’re never out of pocket.  

• Extensive internal CPD programmes plus discounts for BSAVA Congress and London Vet Show.  

• 25 days’ holiday plus Bank Holidays, with option to buy or sell an extra five days.  

• Three paid special days off: Volunteering Day, Celebration Day and Wellbeing Day annually.  

• Generous pension options, with PDSA contributions starting at 5% and rising to 10%.  

• Life assurance providing four times your annual salary for added peace of mind.  

• AXA Health Employee Assistance Programme, 24/7 wellbeing support and private medical cover included.  

• Retail, holiday and lifestyle discounts available through our staff Fetch benefits platform.  

• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave to support you and your family.  

• 10% discount on PDSA Pet Insurance plus access to staff veterinary services.  

To apply for this role, click Apply Now at the top of the page, create a candidate account and complete our simple application form.   

PDSA is committed to embedding a culture of diversity and inclusion within our teams that reflect the communities we serve. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals are able to make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies and opportunities for flexible working arrangements to support team members from different backgrounds.   

If you have any questions or concerns regarding accessibility, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss via email or telephone reasonable adjustments that you may require throughout the recruitment process.   

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, adults at risk and all our colleagues and expect everyone who works for us to also share this commitment and to treat people with courtesy and respect.   

To support this commitment, our recruitment & selection processes are robust and rigorous. All appointments will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate background checks.