Head Veterinary Nurse

About the Role

White Cross Vets in Bradford is seeking an experienced and confident Head Veterinary Nurse to lead their nursing team on a full-time basis. This is a senior clinical and professional leadership role within a well-equipped, expanding practice that values collaborative working and genuine team support. You'll work a 40-hour week across 4 or 5 days, including a 1 in 4 Saturday morning rota.

The practice is modern and thoughtfully resourced, with digital X-ray, dental X-ray, ultrasound, in-house laboratory, and Sedivue. You'll lead a nursing team of two RVNs and one additional RVN role being filled, supported by a Student Veterinary Nurse. The wider team includes two veterinary surgeons (with a third returning from maternity leave), a Head Receptionist, and a Client Care Coordinator. White Cross Vets is part of IVC Evidensia, the UK and Europe's leading veterinary care group, with a network that includes neighbouring clinics in Stanningley, Guiseley, and Roundhay.

The culture here emphasises wellbeing and genuine support. Monthly wellbeing afternoons give the team space to connect; there's a dedicated evening helpline for staff; and leadership takes a coaching approach rather than just managing. You don't need to have everything figured out from day one, the practice invests in building your strengths and supporting your ongoing development.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide senior clinical and professional leadership for the nursing team, overseeing all nursing aspects of the practice
• Set and maintain nursing standards, including clinical governance and quality improvement activity
• Develop a capable and confident nursing team through mentoring and leadership
• Work closely with the Practice Director and wider practice leadership to shape culture, performance, and ways of working
• Support the delivery of high-quality patient and client care
• Collaborate with the Head Receptionist and clinic director on integrated practice operations

Requirements

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

Benefits

• Salary: up to £36,000 per annum, depending on experience
• 6.6 weeks' annual leave plus birthday off, with increasing holiday allowance based on length of service
• Enhanced family-friendly policies including maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental, and surrogacy pay
• Private Medical Insurance
• Healthcare Cash Plan and Cycle to Work scheme
• £550 CPD allowance plus 24 hours paid leave for professional development
• Certificate support
• RCVS and VDS fees covered by the practice
• Pension scheme
• Discounted veterinary care
• Voluntary benefits including Green Cars salary sacrifice scheme and access to hundreds of retailer discounts and cashback offers
• Clear career pathways with progression into wider practice leadership roles
• Collaborative, values-led culture focused on care, community, and continuous improvement

About the Practice

White Cross Vets operates 23 veterinary practices across the North and Midlands of England and is one of the fastest-growing veterinary practice groups in the UK. Each practice features modern, state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, with convenient locations, parking, and extended opening hours to serve busy pet owners. The group prides itself on delivering high-quality, affordable pet care in a friendly and welcoming environment.

As part of IVC Evidensia, White Cross Vets is supported by a dedicated people team, nursing and veterinary boards, and a strong network of neighbouring clinics. IVC Evidensia's vision is to support careers without limits, enabling teams to make more clinical impact, access more opportunities, and play an active role in their professional communities through investment in learning, innovation, and wellbeing.