Work for us

Thinking of applying for a job with us? About to have an interview? Find out more about what it’s like to work at the RCVS and the benefits we offer.

On this page:

• Our culture
• Where and how we work
• Staff benefits
• Applying for a job with us 
• Immigration status and visas
• RCVS apprenticeships

Our culture

Here at the RCVS, we're proud of the excellent work culture we've created. We realise the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. We work as a team to support each other and offer flexibility. We care less about where you’ve come from and more about where you’re going.

We recognise and reward people with great attitudes and behaviours, who go the extra mile and stay the course. We pay well, we support and develop our people and we offer great benefits.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Diversity and inclusion are two of our core values. It's only by adhering to these values that we can best serve the public, our professions and animal health and welfare. 

As an employer, we strive to create an inclusive environment. We want our staff to feel able to be themselves at work and feel valued for their diverse experiences.

London living wage

We are an accredited Living Wage employer. Everyone working for us receives at least the London living wage.

Where and how we work

Hybrid working

Here at the RCVS, we offer hybrid working. Our staff work in a variety of locations, including at home, in our offices, or elsewhere.

We don’t have an organisation-wide arrangement when it comes to where you have to work and when. How often you’re in the office depends on your role and the needs of your team, balanced with where and how you work best. We want our people to work where they feel most productive and supported.

Working hours

Our working week is 33.75 hours. Most of us work from 9.15am to 5pm with an hour for lunch.

Our core office hours are 10am to 4pm, and you can flex your start and finish times around these times.

Our offices

We are based in our own fabulous new headquarters in Clerkenwell, right in the heart of one of London’s most vibrant and creative neighbourhoods. Our address is the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, 1-2 Hardwick Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1R 4RB.

Staff benefits

We're pleased to offer an attractive benefits package to all our staff, including:

• 25 days of holiday a year, plus bank holidays
• An extra day off each year of your choice
• An extra day of holiday for every two years you work for us (up to 30 days)
• Health insurance
• £250 wellbeing allowance – Spend up to £250 on anything linked with wellbeing
• £150 life assurance – Get £150 for taking out a life assurance policy
• Standard Life Pension – We’ll contribute up to 12% of your basic salary when you pay into our pension scheme
• Two days of paid volunteering a year
• Private medical insurance from AXA PPP (taxable option – restrictions apply)
• Season ticket loan – Spread the cost of your season ticket over 10 months, up to £10,000 a year
• Cycle to work scheme – Buy yourself a bike and pay for it in 12 monthly instalments through deductions from your gross salary
• Discounts and benefits through Reward Gateway, offering discounts at over 900 retailers
• Enhanced parental leave
• Learning and development opportunities, including in-house training, short courses and further education
• Holiday trading – buy, sell or carry over up to five holiday days each year
• Loyalty bonus – we want to recognise loyalty, so every four years employees receive £1,000
• eMedapp – see a doctor over the phone or on facetime, free of charge for you and your family
• Employee assistance program – receive counselling and other support
• Free eye tests and £50 towards frames and/or contact lenses
• Free fruit at the office
• Flu jabs
• PAWs awards – ad hoc awards with cash values
• Sabbatical after 10 years

Some benefits are pro rata if you're part-time.

Applying for a job with us

You can view our vacancies on our recruitment website.

We particularly welcome applications from sections of the community that are currently underrepresented within our teams. This includes applicants who identify as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic.

View our job vacancies

Our recruitment process

We pride ourselves in creating a smooth and efficient recruitment process. If you apply for a job with us, you can expect the following:

Online application

• The process begins by completing the online application form, which links to our in-house recruitment portal.
• We try to include as much detail as possible in the job vacancy. This includes details of interview dates and more information about the interviews if possible.

If you’re shortlisted

• We’ll tell you whether or not you’ve been shortlisted as soon as possible after the role closes.
• If you have been shortlisted, we’ll also tell you about potential interview dates and times (we’ll try and be as flexible as possible).

Interviews

• We hold most of our interviews online via Microsoft Teams. We also offer some in-person interviews at our offices.
• We'll tell you about the interview process in advance, including details of any second interview or tasks.
• We offer reasonable adjustments to make sure all candidates are treated fairly.
• During the interview, we’ll use competency-based questions to confirm that you have the skills, experience and qualifications for the role.

Offer

• We think it's important that candidates don't wait too long to hear the outcome of their interview, so we'll be in touch as soon as we can. 
• If you haven't been successful, we'll let you know as soon as possible after your interview.

Induction

• We aim to welcome all new employees with a dedicated and informative induction programme, connecting you with other new employees.

Immigration status and visas

On 31 December 2024, the UK government replaced physical immigration papers with digital proof of immigration status, known as an eVisa.

From the 1 January 2025, successful candidates will need to be able to provide a share code from the Home Office. You can get a new share code if you need one – you do not have to remember a single unique code to be able to prove your status.

Employees who have been issued with a digital immigration status (eVisa) can only evidence their right to work using the Home Office online service. 

RCVS apprenticeships

Our apprenticeships are a great opportunity for anyone who is just starting out or looking to develop their career. They're designed with a career in mind, offering a clear pathway to future progression.

To find an apprenticeship that suits you, please visit our recruitment website.