Veterinary Development Coach

The University of Lancashire is an international, multi-campus university tracing its roots back to 1828 and leading the way in modern learning today.

Today we’re one of the UK’s largest universities with a staff and student community approaching 38,000. Our employment-focused course portfolio has over 350 undergraduate programmes, nearly 200+ postgraduate courses and rich array of CPD courses.

Our new School of Veterinary Medicine is one of only eleven in the UK, and Lancashire’s first.

The School will provide state-of-the-art, sector leading purpose-built training amenities, including high-specification anatomical skills laboratories, simulated operating theatres, diagnostic suites and pharmacies, microscopy labs and immersive teaching facilities to enhance the learning for students studying a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across the veterinary and animal sciences. The school focus will be on producing much-needed industry-ready graduates for our region and beyond.

Did you know …

• We are ranked in the top 7% of universities worldwide (Center for World University Rankings 2023).
• We are proud to have gained various 5 Star (Excellent) accolades in the internationally recognised QS Stars 2022 ratings system. Our University has a 4 QS Stars (Very Good) rating overall.
• We’ve transformed our Preston Campus with the opening of our Engineering Innovation Centre, Student Centre and University Square. These transformations are for the benefit of our colleagues, students and the wider community.

We are delighted to offer two Veterinary Development Coach positions, both term-time only, providing an excellent opportunity for professionals seeking a rewarding role with enhanced work–life balance. These posts are ideally suited to individuals who are passionate about supporting the next generation of veterinary professionals while benefiting from the flexibility that aligns with the academic year.

As a Veterinary Development Coach, you will contribute to the delivery of our Veterinary Coaching and Mentoring Programme, which runs throughout all five years of study. This programme is designed to help students thrive at university while preparing them for fulfilling, sustainable careers. You will play a key role in supporting students as they adapt to a new way of learning, encouraging independence, confidence, and the ability to seek support from peers, mentors, and tutors.

You will also work closely with in-practice educators, supporting placement providers to create exceptional learning environments and ensuring students have meaningful, high-quality clinical experiences.

This is a dynamic and developing environment, and we are looking for individuals who are enthusiastic, collaborative, adaptable, and willing to contribute wherever needed as the veterinary school continues to grow.

The roles are based in Preston, with some regional travel expected.

The successful candidates will have extensive experience working in a clinical veterinary setting and experience in mentoring others within a clinical veterinary environment. 

You will be a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) or Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (MRCVS) (or eligible to register with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS); or have significant experience working in a veterinary educational or practice setting (Application).

• Experience of working in a clinical or educational veterinary setting (Application/Interview). 
• Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) or Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (MRCVS) (or eligible to register with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS); or significant experience working in a veterinary educational or practice setting (Application). 
• Knowledge of current UK veterinary practice (Application/Interview). 
• Experience of coaching and mentoring in a professional setting (Application/Interview). 
• Excellent, written and verbal communication skills, along with the ability to work on own initiative as well as part of a team (Application/Interview). 
• Ability to understand the learning/development needs of students and the ability to translate complex clinical concepts to aid the understanding of others (Application/Interview). 
• Proficient in the use of IT, including Microsoft Office (Application/Interview) 
• Experience of dealing with individuals experiencing complex and distressing circumstances (Application/Interview). 
• Understanding of and commitment to maintaining confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries (Application/Interview). 
• Demonstrable commitment to continuous professional development and to engage with supervision (Application/Interview). 
• Able to support an inclusive environment where everyone feels respected and able to participate (Interview). 
• Understands the University’s values and can work in line with expected professional behaviours (Interview).
• Experience of teaching or working in a Further Education or Higher Education setting (Application/Interview). 
• Experience of clinical quality assurance (Application/Interview). 
• ILM Level 7 Coaching and Mentoring qualification or equivalent (Application).

1. Provide one-to-one coaching sessions to students, along with delivering practical teaching sessions and engaging in student assessment, to support the delivery of the curriculum, particularly the How to Thrive elements of the curriculum. 
2. Utilise clinical expertise and experience to mentor students to develop their skills and prepare students for clinical placements through coaching and mentoring interaction and the co-creation of learning objectives. 
3. Mentor the Clinical Tutors in the partner practices to deliver excellent practice education to our students. 
4. Visit students when on clinical placement to provide ongoing coaching support, including supporting students to interpret placement feedback and reflections, with the subsequent creation of action plans to support development and improvement. 
5. Work with services across the University to understand when to refer students to other University services. 
6. Input, review and maintain data via any specified/core University systems, e.g. data on student attendance and interventions with students. 
7. Work collaboratively within the Coaching and Mentoring team to contribute to knowledge transfer, team upskilling, and the evolution of the Coaching and Mentoring Programme. 
8. Work alongside the Veterinary Placements Lead to ensure the quality assurance of student placements 
9. Complete in-practice audits of placement providers in order to meet the RCVS Degree Accreditation Standards. 
10. Engage with student admissions processes and outreach activities.
11. Adhere to quality assurance and enhancement systems to ensure high standards are maintained, and the student experience is enhanced. 
12. Gain a good understanding of the BVMS curriculum to support student interaction. 
13. Undertake any duties relevant to the School’s activities and commensurate with the level of the post, as directed by the Associate Dean.

These roles are 36.25 hours per week on a term-time-only basis, working 39 weeks of the year. This means that you are not required to work during the vacation periods. 

Your pay will be spread across the year, which means that you will be paid the same salary every month, whether it is term time or vacation.

The roles are based in Preston, with some regional travel expected.

We have a fantastic package of rewards and lifestyle benefits – from an attractive annual leave entitlement to access to a comprehensive employee benefits platform which includes a 24/7 online GP.

Our people are our most important asset. We’ll encourage you to make the most of your talents and continually develop your skills and knowledge. As well as realising your career ambitions, you’ll be making a positive difference to other people’s lives.

Use of AI in applications: We want to understand your genuine interest in the role, and artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience, and the written elements of your application should accurately reflect your own communication style. 

Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience.

Closing date for applications: Sunday 5 July 2026 at 11.59 pm

Interview date: Monday, 13 July 2026

Informal enquiries can be made via email to Charlotte Flynn Veterinary Coaching and Mentoring Lead, in the first instance. 

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.