As Head Veterinarian at SPCA Wellington, you'll lead and develop our veterinary team, provide clinical oversight across a diverse caseload, make complex veterinary and welfare decisions, and work alongside our Centre leadership, animal care, inspectorate and foster teams to improve outcomes for animals in our care.

• Permanent - Part-Time
• 32 hours per week
• Competitive remuneration within the not-for-profit sector

OUR PURRRKS

This is more than just a veterinary leadership role, it's an opportunity to influence animal welfare outcomes on a large scale and we want you to have the support, flexibility and resources to do your best work.

Here's what you can look forward to:

• Paid birthday leave because your special day deserves to be yours!
• Up to $2,000 in Continuing Professional Development expenses reimbursed (pro rated based on hours worked).
• 5 days of CPD leave per year (pro-rated based on hours worked).
• Reimbursement or payment of annual VIN, APC, and NZVA membership fees (after commencement).
• Exclusive employee discounts and benefits, including pet insurance and retail offers
• Access to 24/7 confidential wellness support
• Meaningful work that directly improves the lives of animals across New Zealand
• All SPCA team leaders will be enrolled in a leadership course in their first year to support the work they do

ABOUT YOU

You're an experienced veterinarian and people leader who is passionate about animal welfare and committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for animals in need. You enjoy developing others, influencing positive change and balancing clinical excellence with operational leadership. We would encourage applicants that may not have lots of people leadership experience, as long as you have the right attitude, we will be able to support the right candidate.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and develop a high-performing team of Veterinarians and the Head Veterinary Nurse.
• Provide clinical oversight and guidance across hospital cases, treatment plans and veterinary decision-making.
• Ensure veterinary services align with SPCA animal welfare standards, legislative requirements and professional obligations.
• Oversee animal flow, welfare outcomes and resource utilisation to support the best possible outcomes for animals in care.
• Support workforce planning, rostering, budgeting and operational effectiveness across veterinary services.
• Partner closely with Centre leadership, veterinary nurses, inspectors, foster teams and animal care staff.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, policy development and best-practice approaches to shelter medicine. What we're looking for
• Qualified Veterinarian with a current New Zealand practising certificate
• Proven leadership experience, developing and leading high-performing veterinary teams.
• Strong clinical expertise with the confidence to make complex animal welfare and veterinary decisions.
• Experience in operational management, budgeting and resource planning.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to build strong professional relationships.
• Passion for animal welfare, shelter medicine and the mission and values of SPCA.

TO APPLY

For more information click the apply now button and that will take you to our careers site.

On our careers site you can click here for more about the impressive work we do and the impact we have and click here for the job description.

We value diversity and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. All candidates must have the legal right to work in New Zealand.