We are pleased to open applications for a Hospital Director at the prestigious Linnaeus and Mars Veterinary Health owned “DWR Veterinary Specialists” located in Newmarket, Cambridge. In 2003, DWR was one of the UK’s first veterinary referral hospitals, and our initial aim still remains; to provide the best possible care and treatment for pets and the highest levels of service to pet owners and referring veterinary practice teams. 

We are proud to be home to a team of highly qualified colleagues across the widest range of clinical disciplines supported by incredible non-clinical teams. 

DWR is one of the largest specialist multi-disciplinary veterinary referral centres in Europe, offering outstanding levels of clinical care in fantastic facilities. 
 
The Hospital Director position has potential for career progression in a growing business leading within the Veterinary industry both within the UK and globally as part of Mars Veterinary Health.  

This is a key leadership, strategic and operational position. You will be responsible for all aspects of performance of the Referral Hospital business, leading and line managing your Hospital SLT, working alongside the Clinical Director, business partners and other stakeholders. You will report to the Operations Director for London and the Southeast and take responsibility for the continued delivery and growth in performance of DWR. 

 
In this key role, alongside the Clinical Director you will lead the Hospital SLT and the wider Hospital team on the delivery of strategic initiatives to ensure the Hospital achieves clinical excellence, enhance the client experience, strengthen team development, well-being and engagement whilst delivering the annual business performance across all operational elements including quality, people, finance, growth, customer experience and sustainability. 
 
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Applications for this role close at midnight on Monday 4th November 2024. 
 
 
Main purpose & goals 
 
• Drive excellence of clinical quality within DWR. 
• Delivery of the Linnaeus strategy, annual business plan and budget for your Referral Hospital. 
• Provide inspiration and motivational leadership for your Hospital team, leading, coaching and developing your SLT direct reports. 
• Drive engagement across your teams, actively promoting wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusion. 
• Deliver and contribute to the development of strategic initiatives to drive clinical quality, commercial growth and delivery of our sustainability goals. 
• Promote and contribute to collaborative, efficient ways of working between functional pillars of the Referral Hospital. 
• Be an ambassador for Mars Veterinary Health, Linnaeus, your Referral Hospital and the veterinary industry. 

Key Responsibilities 
 
• To be responsible for the delivery of Hospital strategy, business performance and P&L.  
• Providing hands on leadership, development and coaching of the Hospital SLT and line management of the Clinical Director, Head of Nursing Services, Operations Manager, HR Manager, and Business relationship manager (BRM). 
• Delivery & development of the highest quality clinical services, achieved through the involvement of your clinical and non-clinical teams and other key stakeholders, and promoting clinical research.  
• Delivering the agreed service elements within the operating plan, demonstrating commercial focus, a structured approach, intelligence, energy and enthusiasm.  
• Ensuring that the performance of the Hospital is efficient such that performance is delivered within budget. 
• Delivering clear Key Performance Indicators, both quantitative and qualitative in order to inform decision making for future growth.  
• Sharing in our passion in ‘Making a Better World for Pets’ always striving to improve the patient and client (patient owner) experience through the Hospital team. 
• Working closely with the Clinical Director and Head of Nursing Services to implement a robust clinical framework which will continually improve the clinical outcomes of the animals under your care. 
• Working in partnership with your HR manager & HR Business Partner to support and deliver a robust people plan for the Hospital which addresses associate engagement, talent management, retention and attrition, and well-being. 
• Working closely with the Marketing Manager and Business Relationship Manager in order to promote and facilitate the referral of cases to the Hospital. Ensuring that the referral process is robust and efficient, exceeding the expectations of referring vets and delivering market leading customer service. 
• Openly sharing best practice with your peers to enable the wider group to continually benefit, and being responsible for the cascade of information through the Hospital team. Being responsible for the management and positive development of a range of internal operational relationships in support of mutually beneficial approaches and synergies.  
• Ensuring the maintenance of compliance on Health & Safety, property and maintenance of the Hospital through the Operations Manager & Facilities Manager and other internal and external stakeholders. 
• Actively promoting a positive attitude to maintain health & mental wellbeing in the workplace.  
• Leading from the front demonstrating the values & behaviours of Linnaeus and Mars Veterinary Health. 
• Contributing to and participating in the periodic reporting of business performance to the Linnaeus Executive along with the Operations Director and business partners. 
 
 
Person Specification 

Desirable 
 
Experience  

Minimum of 5 Years’ experience of leading and developing successful teams in a multi-disciplinary, multi functional setting 
 
Multi functional experience in areas such as finance, marketing, HR, client experience, reception, facilities, business relationship management 
 
Experience in B2B and B2C service delivery 
 
The ability to analyse and interpret financial and operational information 
 
A can-do attitude with a determination to succeed and a strong team ethos 
 
Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills with the ability to problem solve and deliver on objectives 
 
Project management experience  
 
Veterinary or Healthcare experience 
 
Marketing and / or Client Service Experience  
 
Business Relationship Management experience 
 
Knowledge  
 
Strong commercial acumen with previous P&L management and accountability 
 
Level of understanding in the principles and practices of working in a regulated healthcare profession 
 
Knowledge of current Health & Safety legislation, and competent in Risk Assessments and Root Cause Analysis 
 
Qualifications Educated to degree level or equivalent work experience 5+ years § Business / management qualification level 5 or above 
 
Coaching / Leadership qualification 
 
Chartership (e.g. ACCA, CIMA, CMI, CIPD) 
 
Skills & abilities  
 
Excellent communication skills with associates at all levels 
Strong influencer and inspirer 
Excellent decision maker 
Ability to work under pressure and deal with any situation in a calm manner 
Strong analytical and reporting skills – ability to interpret & present multiple forms of data 
Excellent time and priority management 
Effective team leader 
Able to work collaboratively with key stakeholders, both internal and external to the business 
 
Resilient with good self management and the ability to manage emotions 
 
Inclusive approach to all interactions 
 
Other qualities Full UK Driving Licence and ability to travel nationally as required  
 

Health & safety 
 
• It’s important that all roles within Linnaeus understand our Health & Safety principles and continually enforce and embrace the need for compliance. 

For further information regarding the role please contact: 

[email protected] 

Senior Talent Acquisition Business Partner