Branch Head Veterinary Nurse - Small Animal

IVC Evidensia; Leeds; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading veterinary practice in Leeds is seeking a Branch Head to lead their Ilkley surgery. The ideal candidate will be a Registered Veterinary Nurse with strong clinical skills and proven leadership experience. Responsibilities include managing nursing standards, supporting a dedicated team, and delivering exceptional patient care. This full-time role offers a competitive salary, work-life balance, and numerous benefits including a welcome bonus and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

6.6 weeks annual leave

Private Medical Insurance

£550 CPD allowance

Discounted gym membership

Pawsome Benefits

Qualifications

• Must be a Registered Veterinary Nurse with strong clinical skills.
• Proven leadership experience or a desire to grow into a leadership role.
• Excellent organisational and communication abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the team to deliver exceptional patient care.
• Oversee nursing clinics and daily workflows.
• Ensure compliance with clinical protocols and practice standards.

Skills

Strong clinical skills

Leadership experience

Excellent organisational abilities

Compassionate approach

Team collaboration

Education

Registered Veterinary Nurse

Tools

CT

X-ray

Ultrasound

Laparoscopy

Endoscopy

Job description

Are you an organised, compassionate, and motivated Registered Veterinary Nurse ready to step into a leadership role? We’re looking for a confident and inspiring Branch Head to lead our Ilkley surgery and support our dedicated team while continuing to deliver outstanding clinical care. You’ll play a key role in overseeing nursing standards, managing the branch, introducing new initiatives aligned with our practice ethos, and shaping the future of our friendly, forward‑thinking team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, support, and develop the team
• Deliver exceptional patient care and client communication
• Oversee and coordinate nurse clinics and daily workflows including dental referral
• Ensure compliance with clinical protocols and practice standards
• Create and manage nursing team rotas, including holiday requests
• Set up and review Standard Operating Procedures
• Support and encourage CPD for the nursing team
• Collaborate with the wider leadership and veterinary teams to enhance patient care and operational efficiency
• Perform a variety of nursing duties, including surgery, consultations, and inpatient care
• Assist with stock control and other operational procedures

What We’re Looking For

A Registered Veterinary Nurse with strong clinical skills, proven leadership experience or a genuine desire to grow into a leadership position, excellent organisational and communication abilities, a compassionate approach to both patient care and team support, a drive to uphold and improve high clinical standards, and a team player who thrives in a supportive, collaborative environment.

Work With Cutting‑Edge Facilities

As a general practice with mid‑tier referral services, we are proud to have certificate‑holder‑led departments in surgery, medicine, behaviour, dentistry, and exotics. Our varied caseload allows us to work up cases to a high standard, and this is an excellent opportunity to advance your referral nursing career. You’ll benefit from access to cutting‑edge diagnostic tools such as CT, X‑ray, ultrasound, laparoscopy, and endoscopy across our fully‑equipped practices. Our facilities include purpose‑built consulting rooms, an isolation ward, and a spacious prep/theatre suite. We use multiparameter monitoring for anaesthesia and a ventilator to ensure the highest standard of care.

Work with an Experienced Team

Our team at Ilkley consists of 3 vets, 1 RVN and 2 receptionists, all working together to provide excellent care for first opinion, exotic and dental referrals. With 30 years of experience, we offer a range of annual team events, regular practice meetings, and one‑on‑one career development and professional coaching for all staff.

Working Hours

This is a full‑time role, working 40 hours per week across a 5‑day schedule, Monday to Friday. There will be no weekends or OOH. There will be opportunity to work across sites with other branch heads.

Why Join Us?

We recognise that our people are fundamental to the success of our business. Investing in our people, premises and processes is at the heart of what we do. In addition to a competitive base salary, you will benefit from:

• Work‑life balance
  • 6.6 weeks annual leave, inclusive of bank holidays
  • Additional holiday entitlement for your birthday
  • £500 welcome bonus
• Wellbeing
  • Enhanced family‑friendly policies, including maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay
  • Private Medical Insurance
  • Cycle to Work scheme
  • Initiatives focused on employee wellbeing, including discounted gym membership
  • Non‑accidental injury support
• Development
  • £550 CPD allowance with 24 hours paid leave pro rata
  • Certificate Support
  • Learning and development opportunities via the IVC Evidensia Academy
  • Access to Vetlexicon – our online encyclopaedia provider
  • All our Vets & Nurses can apply for research funding
  • Infection Prevention and Control Programme
  • Quality Improvement Programme
• Professional Memberships
  • VDS cover
  • RCVS fees
  • BVA Membership
• Additional
  • Pawsome Benefits – reward gateway giving discounts and cashback with 100’s of retailers
  • Pension 5% Employee/3% Employer
  • Discounted staff pet care

Up to £32,000 per annum DOE