This is a rare opportunity to step into a true leadership role while staying close to what you love most, delivering excellent clinical care.
We are looking for a Director of Practice and Clinical Services to join Castle Vets NI, a large, highly respected mixed practice set at the foot of the beautiful Mourne Mountains. If you’re an experienced vet ready to shape the future of a well-established practice while continuing hands-on work, this could be the perfect next step.
This role offers the best of both worlds. Around 80% of your time will be spent in practice, working across a varied and rewarding caseload, from consults to surgery. Alongside this, you will play a key leadership role, supporting and developing your colleagues, guiding clinical discussions and helping to build confidence in less experienced vets and new graduates.
You’ll also have the opportunity to influence how the practice grows and evolves, contributing to clinical standards, continuous improvement and a strong, collaborative culture across two busy sites.
You’ll be joining a genuinely friendly, experienced and supportive team of vets, RVNs and client care colleagues who enjoy working together and supporting one another. The practice is well equipped, with digital and dental X-ray, ultrasound and multiparameter monitoring, giving you everything you need to deliver high-quality care.
All of this is set against the backdrop of the Mourne Mountains, offering an exceptional place to live and work.
The role is designed to support balance as well as impact. You’ll work a full-time pattern of 40 hours across four or five days, with a share of one in three Saturdays. There are no out-of-hours or on-call commitments, with dedicated support from the mixed vet team. While this is a full-time position, we are open to part-time applications of 30 hours or more.
We are ideally looking for someone to start in November 2026, but we can be flexible for the right person.
As part of Inspiring Vet Care, you’ll be connected to a network of over 900 practices and referral centres across the UK, Ireland and Europe, all working towards a shared goal of healthier animals and happier owners.
We’re passionate about creating an environment where people can grow, feel valued and build a career without limits.
You’re an experienced Veterinary Surgeon with RCVS registration, and you’ve already developed strong clinical skills alongside a natural ability to lead and support others. You’ll be comfortable guiding a team, shaping standards and driving quality, while maintaining a calm, collaborative and approachable leadership style.
Experience within a mixed practice setting would be an advantage, but just as important is your ability to communicate well, build relationships and create an environment where people feel supported to do their best work.
At Inspiring Vet Care, we believe leadership should feel rewarding and supported. In this role, you’ll have genuine influence over clinical standards, governance and service development, alongside access to ongoing development in leadership, strategy and change management.
We invest in our people, offering funded CPD, access to IVC Academy training and a £1,250 annual Care Fund. Whether you want to deepen your leadership impact or explore broader opportunities in the future, you’ll be supported every step of the way within a collaborative, values-led culture.
At IVC, we’re committed to supporting you in a senior clinical leadership role. When you join us, you’ll benefit from:
The opportunity to shape and lead the clinical strategy across a large practice, hospital, or group of services with senior-level influence over clinical standards, governance, and service development
Support to further develop strategic leadership, change management, and organisational impact
Funded learning and development including CPD allowance and access to IVC academy training centres & role-relevant courses
£1,250 annual Care Fund for every vet
Clear career pathways with progression opportunities into Director of Practice and Clinical Services or wider executive leadership roles
A collaborative, values-led culture focused on care, innovation, and continuous improvement
In addition to a salary of up to £85,000 DOE, you will benefit from:
£3,000 Welcome Bonus (subject to eligibility)
£3,000 Relocation Bonus (subject to eligibility)
7 weeks’ holiday including bank holidays
Private medical insurance
Enhanced family leave and pay across maternity, paternity, adoption and surrogacy
BVA membership, VDS cover & RCVS fees
Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (eligibility applies)
Retail discounts and cashback offers
Reduced-cost veterinary care for your own pets
8 Dublin Road, Castlewellan, BT31 9AQ, United Kingdom
Animals treated
Farm animals
Exotic Friendly
At IVC Evidensia we are a committed to Diversity, Equality, Inclusion and Belonging, we are keen to hear from candidates from all minority and diverse groups. As a Disability Confident Employer, we are keen to hear from candidates with disabilities and long-term health conditions and would be happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments needed during the recruitment process.
Speak to Shonagh Dawson from our recruitment team who would be happy to help you with any questions you have before applying for this role.