At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team and manage non-clinical operations in a top equine veterinary practice.
- Company: Join the UK's number one vet care provider, dedicated to healthier animals and happier owners.
- Benefits: Enjoy 6.8 weeks holiday, private medical insurance, and retail discounts.
- Other info: Flexible working options and excellent career growth opportunities await you.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in animal care while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Management experience in healthcare or service environments; equine knowledge is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 40000 £ per year.
At inspiring vet care, our people are at the heart of everything we do. As the UK’s number one vet care provider, we’re trusted with the care of over 2 million animals, delivering our purpose of healthier animals and happier owners. Our Practice Cliffe Equine Vets, part of the Cliffe Veterinary Group, offers a rare opportunity for a dynamic and motivated Practice Manager to lead our friendly and dedicated team. This full‑time role involves 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with flexibility options available. Based at our RCVS‑accredited equine hospital in East Sussex, just outside Lewes, the position combines a rewarding career with an excellent location. We deliver a full range of ambulatory and hospital services across Sussex and parts of Kent.
Our purpose‑built facilities include:
- 20 inpatient stables
- Fully equipped surgical and hospital facilities
- Advanced diagnostic equipment
- In‑house laboratory for rapid testing
How you'll make a difference
As Practice Manager, you will lead the non‑clinical operations of the practice, working closely with clinical leadership (CD & Head Nurse) to ensure efficient day‑to‑day running, strong team performance and an outstanding client experience. You’ll be responsible for operational delivery, people management and compliance, while supporting the practice to achieve its performance, quality and service objectives.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, support and develop the non‑clinical team, creating a positive and collaborative culture.
- Oversee day‑to‑day operations, ensuring smooth and efficient workflows.
- Deliver an excellent client journey from first contact through to follow‑up care.
- Manage rotas, recruitment, onboarding and team development.
- Drive financial performance, budgeting and KPI management.
- Monitor performance and support practice growth and improvements.
- Ensure compliance with RCVS standards, health & safety and regulatory requirements.
- Maintain facilities, equipment and stock levels.
- Handle client feedback and resolve issues professionally.
- Support marketing and community engagement initiatives.
You might be a great fit if...
- Proven experience in a management role, ideally within healthcare, veterinary or service‑led environments (equine knowledge is desirable but not essential).
- Strong people management skills, including performance management and team development.
- Good operational and organisational capability, with the ability to manage competing priorities.
- Experience handling complaints, change and complex situations with confidence.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
What we offer our team
- 6.8 weeks’ holiday including bank holidays
- Enhanced family leave and pay across maternity, paternity, adoption and surrogacy
- Private medical insurance
- Pension scheme
- Retail discounts and cashback offers
- Reduced‑cost veterinary care for your own pets
- Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes (eligibility applies)
- Up to £40,000 DOE
Practice Manager - Equine employer: Inspiring Vet Care
At Inspiring Vet Care, we pride ourselves on being the UK's leading vet care provider, where our dedicated team is central to our mission of ensuring healthier animals and happier owners. Located in the picturesque East Sussex, our RCVS-accredited equine hospital offers a supportive work culture, competitive benefits including generous holiday allowance and private medical insurance, and ample opportunities for professional growth and development within a collaborative environment. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the lives of animals and their owners while enjoying the unique advantages of working in a state-of-the-art facility.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Practice Manager - Equine
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the veterinary field, especially those who might know about openings at inspiring vet care. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Understand their mission of healthier animals and happier owners, and think about how your experience aligns with that. We want to see your passion for animal care shine through!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! As a Practice Manager, you’ll need to lead a team effectively. Be ready to share examples of how you’ve developed teams or improved operations in your previous roles during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our amazing team at Cliffe Equine Vets.
We think you need these skills to ace Practice Manager - Equine
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Practice Manager role. Highlight any management experience in healthcare or service-led environments, and don’t forget to sprinkle in some equine knowledge if you have it!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about leading a team in veterinary care. Share specific examples of how you've driven performance and improved client experiences in your previous roles.
Showcase Your People Skills:As a Practice Manager, strong people management skills are key. In your application, give us a glimpse of how you've successfully developed teams and handled complex situations. We want to see your ability to create a positive and collaborative culture!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our amazing team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Inspiring Vet Care
✨Know the Company Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you research Inspiring Vet Care and Cliffe Equine Vets thoroughly. Understand their mission, values, and the services they offer. This will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Your People Management Skills
As a Practice Manager, you'll be leading a team, so be prepared to discuss your experience in people management. Think of specific examples where you've successfully developed a team or handled performance issues. Highlighting your ability to create a positive culture will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Operational Savvy
The role involves overseeing day-to-day operations, so come ready to discuss your organisational skills. Prepare to talk about how you've managed competing priorities in the past and any systems or processes you've implemented to improve efficiency.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess how you'd handle real-life situations, such as client complaints or team conflicts. Think through potential scenarios related to the veterinary field and practice your responses. This will show that you're not only qualified but also ready to tackle challenges head-on.
