Animates Vetcare NZ

Lead Veterinarian | Veterinary Director - Kāpiti Coast

Animates Vetcare NZ  •  Wellington, NZ / Paraparaumu, NZ (Onsite)  •  5 hours ago
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Job Description

Hands-on leadership for an experienced companion animal veterinarian

Are you an experienced companion animal veterinarian ready to lead from the front? We're looking for a Veterinary Director to provide clinical leadership across our Paraparaumu and Waikanae clinics while remaining actively involved in patient care. This is a hands-on leadership role where you'll mentor and support your team, drive clinical excellence, and help shape the future of two well-established practices.

Why this role?

This role offers the flexibility, development, and support you need to build a rewarding leadership career while continuing to practice high-quality veterinary medicine.

You'll be backed by experienced Practice Managers, a wider clinical leadership network, and a national veterinary group committed to professional growth, wellbeing, and clinical excellence. Whether you're an established leader or a senior veterinarian ready for your next step, you'll have the support to succeed.

What you'll do

  • Provide exceptional companion animal veterinary care and maintain high clinical standards.
  • Lead and support veterinarians and nurses through coaching, mentoring, and clinical guidance.
  • Foster a culture of continuous improvement and clinical excellence across both clinics.
  • Partner with Practice Managers and leadership teams to support clinic performance and growth.
  • Contribute to strategic initiatives that enhance team success, patient outcomes, and client experience.

What you need

Essential requirements:

  • Veterinary qualification recognised in New Zealand and eligibility for NZVSB registration.
  • Significant companion animal clinical experience with confidence as a senior clinician.
  • A genuine passion for delivering outstanding patient care.
  • Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
  • The ability to lead, influence, and develop others.

It's a bonus if you have:

  • Previous leadership, mentoring, or clinical coaching experience.
  • Experience supporting practice development or business improvement initiatives.

What you'll get

  • A leadership position with real influence and autonomy.
  • Ongoing professional development and generous CPD support, including access to the Lincoln Institute Leadership Development Training Program.
  • Access to experienced clinical leaders and a national support network.
  • The opportunity to continue practicing medicine while developing your leadership capability.
  • Modern, well-equipped clinics with digital radiography, dental facilities, diagnostics, and ultrasound technology.
  • Less admin, more time for what matters, with CoVet AI helping streamline clinical notes.
  • A collaborative team environment where wellbeing and professional growth are genuinely prioritised.

Life on the Kapiti Coast

Enjoy the best of both worlds with a rewarding veterinary career and an exceptional lifestyle. The Kapiti Coast offers stunning beaches, great cafés, outdoor recreation, and a strong sense of community, all within easy commuting distance of Wellington. It's an ideal location for those seeking more balance, space, and time outside of work.

About us

We’re proud to create a workplace where people feel supported, valued and empowered to do their best work. Our teams are collaborative, inclusive and united by a genuine commitment to delivering exceptional care for our patients and clients.

With strong clinical leadership, ongoing investment in professional development, modern facilities and a genuine focus on wellbeing, we’re committed to creating an environment where veterinarians can grow, thrive and build a rewarding career.

We celebrate different backgrounds, perspectives and experiences and want everyone to feel they can bring their authentic selves to work. We’re proud to be a Rainbow Tick Certified Employer and the first organisation in Aotearoa to achieve Gold-level recognition in the Mental Health First Aid Workplace Recognition Programme, reflecting our commitment to a connected, inclusive and mentally healthy workplace.

Ready to grow your career, make an impact and be part of a team that genuinely cares? We’d love to hear from you.

Animates Vetcare NZ

About Animates Vetcare NZ

New Zealand's leading Pet Specialty Retailer for 20+ years (or 121 if you're a Labrador).

We operate 47 stores, 28 grooming salons, 15 vet clinics and we continue to grow!

We’re passionate about creating awesome experiences for people and their pets; to provide our customers with everything they need to become great pet parents, whether it is products; services or advice that they need. It’s what has made Animates, New Zealand’s leading pet retailer.

To find out more about us, visit: www.animates.co.nz

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We are always looking for new people to join the Animates family, from Retail specialists, Fish experts, Area Mangers, through to Vets, Vet Nurses, Groomers and Support Office personnel.

Animates is proudly a Rainbow Tick certified employer and we continue to partner with the SPCA to give pets a second chance and help find their forever-homes.

Industry
Retail & Ecommerce
Company Size
201-500 employees
Headquarters
Auckland, NZ
Year Founded
1995
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