Head Veterinary Nurse - 12-month FTC in Birmingham

We are seeking a knowledgeable, confident Head Veterinary Nurse to join our team at Fivelands Veterinary Centre on a 12-month fixed-term contract. Fivelands Veterinary Centre is a friendly, well-established small animal practice with three sites, offering a supportive and collaborative environment for both our team and clients. Based primarily at our main branch in the lively village of Moseley, near Birmingham city centre, this is an exciting opportunity to step into a leadership role within a growing and dynamic practice.

We are proud to be an ISFM Silver Cat Friendly practice, with Veterinary Surgeons holding certificates in Feline Medicine and Dentistry, and others currently working towards certificates in Surgery and Internal Medicine. We also provide referral-level abdominal and cardiac ultrasound, giving exposure to a varied and interesting caseload.

IVC Evidensia is the UK and Europe’s leading veterinary care group, made up of over 900 practices and referral hospitals, united by a shared purpose of happier animals, happier owners. At IVC Evidensia, we believe careers should be built without limits. Our people are supported to make more clinical impact, access more career opportunities, and play an active role in their local and professional communities. Through investment in learning, innovation, and wellbeing, we create environments where our teams can grow in confidence, capability, and fulfilment-at every stage of their career.

How You’ll Make a Difference

As a Head Veterinary Nurse, you will provide senior clinical and professional leadership for the nursing team, overseeing all nursing aspects of the practice and supporting the delivery of high-quality patient and client care. You’ll be responsible for setting and maintaining nursing standards, leading clinical governance and quality improvement activity, and developing a capable, confident nursing team. Working closely with the wider practice leadership team, you'll play a key role in shaping culture, performance and ways of working. This role combines clinical nursing with leadership and administrative duties, including rota management, team support, and ensuring the smooth running of the nursing function across the practice. This is a full-time role working 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with two late shifts per week finishing at 7:30pm. There are no out-of-hours requirements.

General responsibilities include:

• Lead and support the nursing team across multiple sites, ensuring high clinical standards
• Manage nursing rotas and contribute to the smooth day-to-day running of the practice
• Deliver high standards of nursing care across a varied caseload
• Support surgical procedures, including anaesthesia monitoring and theatre nursing

You Might Be a Great Fit If...

You are an experienced and confident Registered Veterinary Nurse with strong leadership capability and a passion for clinical excellence. You’ll bring:

• Registration as a Veterinary Nurse with the RCVS with at least 3 years’ experience
• Significant experience in clinical practice with advanced medical and surgical nursing skills
• Proven experience of leading, mentoring and developing nursing teams
• Strong understanding of clinical governance, quality improvement and professional standards
• Excellent communication, leadership and organisational skills

How We’ll Support You

At IVC Evidensia, we’re committed to supporting your ongoing development and wellbeing. When you join us, you’ll benefit from:

• A senior leadership role with accountability for nursing standards and team development
• Clear career pathways with progression opportunities into wider practice leadership roles
• Ongoing learning and development to support leadership, governance and strategic growth
• A collaborative, values-led culture focused on care, community, and continuous improvement

What We Offer Our Team

• 6.6 weeks' annual leave plus your birthday off
• Increasing holiday allowance based on length of service
• Enhanced family-friendly policies, including maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental and surrogacy pay
• Private Medical Insurance
• Employee wellbeing initiatives including Healthcare Cash Plan and Cycle to Work scheme
• £550 CPD allowance plus 24hrs paid leave
• Certificate support
• RCVS and VDS fees covered
• Pension scheme
• Discounted veterinary care
• Voluntary benefits: choose from a range of benefits to suit you – including Green Cars salary sacrifice scheme and access to discounts/cashback with hundreds of participating retailers

Up to £38,000 DOE