Vet Nurse Manager

Animal Emergency Australia; Gold Coast City; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remuneration package

Leadership development opportunities

Employee ownership opportunities

Discounts on pet products and services

Wellbeing programs (EAP)

Job summary

Animal Emergency Australia is seeking a Vet Nurse Manager to lead the launch and ongoing operations of AES Coomera, a new 24/7 emergency veterinary hospital on the Gold Coast. You will shape the nursing team, drive performance, and partner with the Hospital Manager to deliver exceptional patient care and service excellence.

You will lead recruitment, development and performance management, fostering a high-performing, values-driven culture.

Qualifications

• Veterinary nursing leadership or management experience.
• At least 4 years’ vet nursing leadership or management experience.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop high-performing teams.
• Excellent communication skills and organisational abilities.
• Flexibility to work alternate weekends, plus some evenings and public holidays as required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the nursing team across a 24/7 emergency hospital.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding and workforce planning.
• Drive performance, coaching and development of staff.
• Collaborate with Hospital Manager to elevate clinical standards.
• Ensure rostering, staffing sufficiency and workforce sustainability.
• Support financial performance through efficient staffing and reporting insights.
• Partner with clinical and operational leaders to optimise patient outcomes.
• Foster collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.
• Ensure WHS compliance and adherence to policies.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Vet nursing

Education

Vet nursing qualification

Tools

HR systems

Job description

Ready to join our team? We're looking for a

Lead and develop the nursing team at AES Coomera while helping build a high-performing emergency hospital.

• Shape and grow a new nursing team
• Lead recruitment, development and performance
• Founding role in a purpose-built hospital

Help shape the future of veterinary care at Coomera, where we are creating an open hospital designed to strengthen the connection between pets, their families and the veterinary team.

Animal Emergency Service (AES) Coomera is a new, purpose-built, 24/7 emergency veterinary hospital currently being developed on the northern Gold Coast.Located within the Coomera Home Ideas Centre, the hospital has been thoughtfully designed to deliver exceptional patient care, strengthen connections with pet owners and foster a collaborative environment for veterinary teams.

As part of this exciting next chapter, we are seeking an experienced Vet Nurse Manager to lead the successful launch of AES Coomera and guide its ongoing operations.

Emergency care is about more than clinical treatment. It is also about helping owners understand what is happening, the options available and what may come next. You will lead a team that recognises each client as an integral part of their pet’s journey, keeping them informed and inviting appropriate participation in treatment decisions.

About the Role

Vet Nurse Manager will lead, develop, and empower our veterinary nursing team within a 24/7 emergency veterinary hospital environment.

This is a key leadership role with genuine ownership of team performance, workforce planning, and operational delivery. You will directly influence outcomes across people, patient care, and business performance, ensuring our nursing team is supported to perform at its best.

Working closely with the Hospital Manager and Leadership Team, you will drive a high-performance culture, translate strategy into action, and continuously elevate operational and clinical standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the performance, engagement, and professional development of the nursing team.
• Foster a high-performance, values-driven culture built on accountability, collaboration, and trust.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and workforce planning to ensure capability and staffing requirements are met.
• Manage performance through coaching, development, and effective handling of difficult conversations.
• Lead change initiatives and continuous improvement activities.
• Ensure effective rostering, workforce sustainability, and operational coverage.
• Support financial performance through labour management, efficiency initiatives, and reporting insights.
• Partner with clinical and operational leaders to optimise patient outcomes and service delivery.
• Build strong collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.
• Ensure compliance with WHS requirements, company policies, and AEA standards.

About You

You are a motivated and capable leader who is passionate about developing people and delivering exceptional patient care. You thrive in a fast-paced environment, lead by example, and are confident managing the day-to-day challenges of a busy veterinary hospital.

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Veterinary nursing, management, or other relevant qualifications and/or experience.
• At least 4 years’ vet nursing leadership or management experience.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop high-performing teams.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Strong organisational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Confidence managing challenging situations, including conflict resolution.
• A commitment to outstanding patient care and client service.
• Flexibility to work every second weekend, along with some evenings and public holidays as required.

This full-time, onsite role is based at AES Coomera. You will be required to work alternate weekends and varied hours between 6:00am and 9:00pm to support hospital operations.

Why Join AES Coomera?

As part of the founding team, you will have the opportunity to shape the hospital’s culture, ways of working and approach to emergency care from day one.

• Join from the start and help shape how AES Coomera grows.
• Work in a purpose-built hospital designed for clearer client communication.
• Be part of a team that keeps pet owners connected and informed.
• Help build a new hospital culture centred on teamwork and care.
• Access the support, expertise and opportunities available through Australia’s largest employee-owned emergency veterinary network.

Benefits

• Opportunity to lead a brand-new hospital from opening.
• Competitive remuneration package.
• Ongoing leadership development and career growth opportunities.
• Access to AEA’s national operations network and leadership community.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and wellbeing initiatives.
• Discounts of up to 70% on pet products and treatments.
• Fitness Passport membership discounts.
• Employee ownership opportunities.

Lead AES Coomera- a brand-new emergency vet hospital and build a team focused on better patient care and stronger client connections.

Lead AES Coomera- a brand-new emergency vet hospital and build a team focused on better patient care and stronger client connections.

Lead operations, systems and strategy at AES Coomera, helping shape a new 24/7 emergency hospital from day one.

Combine clinical leadership and people management to mentor vets and drive excellence at AES Coomera.

Lead one of Perth's leading 24/7 veterinary hospitals in a hands-on leadership role!

Manage team performance, engagement, and development of the veterinary nursing team.