Head Veterinary Nurse – Lead & Inspire Your Team

Competitive salary: £40,000 | 4-day week | Independent practice | South West London

Are you an experienced RVN with the drive to take the next step in your career? This is a fantastic opportunity to join a thriving independent, multi-site small animal practice as their new Head Veterinary Nurse.

We’re looking for a confident, motivated leader who can inspire and support a team of 10 nurses (within a wider group of 25 staff), balancing hands-on clinical work with the management and development of the nursing team. If you’re passionate about both patient care and people leadership, this could be the role for you.

Why this role?

• Leadership with impact – Take ownership of a nursing team, motivating and mentoring colleagues while ensuring the highest clinical standards.

• Balanced responsibilities – 50% clinical nursing, 50% administrative and leadership duties.

• Work-life balance – 4-day working week with a fair rota and supportive culture.

• Competitive salary – £40,000 plus CPD allowance and benefits.

• Independent practice ethos – Have a genuine voice in shaping the team and the business, free from corporate red tape.

• Progressive environment – Work in a modern, well-equipped setting with access to advanced facilities and varied caseloads.

What you’ll be doing

• Leading and developing a team of 10 nurses plus support staff, creating a positive, collaborative culture.

• Driving clinical excellence across anaesthesia, inpatient care, diagnostics, and consults.

• Managing rotas, workflows, and nursing resources.

• Mentoring and supporting junior and student nurses.

• Contributing to wider business planning alongside the management team.

• Balancing clinical duties with leadership responsibilities (50/50 split).

About you

• Qualified RVN with experience as a Senior or Head Nurse (or ready to step up into leadership).

• Strong clinical standards and commitment to excellent patient care.

• Confident leader with proven team management and mentoring skills.

• Motivated, adaptable, and driven to help the practice grow and evolve.

What’s on offer

• Salary of £40,000

• 4-day week for great work-life balance

• CPD allowance with extra support for certificates where relevant

• Birthday day off each year

• Supportive and ambitious team culture

Ready to take the lead?

If you’re a confident and driven RVN looking for an exciting Head Nurse role where you can make a real impact, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today in confidence to find out more.
 

If this job isn't quite right for you but you are looking for a new position, please contact us on 028 8744 0649 or email niamh@lloydandcowan.com

If you know someone else who may be interested - pass this advert on to them. If we successfully place someone, you've referred to us; we'll give you £200 in high street vouchers as a way of saying thank you.

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