Lead Nurse

Job Title: Lead Registered Veterinary Nurse

Location: Rye, East Sussex

Hours: Full-time (40.78 per week) | 5-day week | Early and late shifts | 2 in 9 Saturdays (1 within contracted hours, 1 returned as TOIL)

Practice: Cinque Ports Veterinary Group – Rye

Salary: Competitive, depending on experience

Ready to take the lead and shape the future of a growing practice?

If you're an experienced Registered Veterinary Nurse who enjoys leading from the front, supporting others to succeed and driving high clinical standards, we'd love to hear from you.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our Rye practice as Lead RVN, where you'll play a pivotal role in both the day-to-day running of the nursing team and the future development of the practice. Working closely with the leadership team, you'll have the autonomy to influence how we work, champion clinical excellence and help create an environment where both people and patients thrive.

If you're looking for a role where your ideas are valued, your leadership makes a difference and you can still enjoy hands-on nursing, this could be the perfect next step.

Why join us?

• Take on a genuine leadership role with the opportunity to influence the future direction of the practice.
• Enjoy a varied position combining clinical nursing with leadership, coaching and quality improvement.
• Run your own nurse clinics and continue using your clinical skills every day.
• Protected administration time every other week, allowing you to focus on leadership responsibilities.
• Work alongside a supportive leadership team committed to delivering outstanding patient and client care.
• No out-of-hours commitment.
• 2 in 9 Saturday rota, with one Saturday worked within your contracted hours and the second returned as time off in lieu.
• Be part of the wider Cinque Ports Veterinary Group, giving you access to support, collaboration and opportunities across multiple practices.

The Team & Practice

Cinque Ports Veterinary Group is an RCVS-accredited practice with six sites across Kent and East Sussex, delivering high-quality first opinion care through a network of experienced and collaborative teams.

This role is based primarily at our Rye branch, with occasional cover across our neighbouring practices, providing variety while remaining part of one close-knit team.

As Lead RVN, you'll work in partnership with the Lead Veterinary Surgeon and Practice Leadership Team to ensure exceptional clinical standards are maintained while continually looking for opportunities to improve patient care, team engagement and practice efficiency.

You'll play a key role in supporting and developing the nursing team through regular one-to-one meetings, performance reviews and coaching, while leading nurse meetings, carrying out clinical audits and helping implement improvements identified through operational reporting.

The role offers an excellent balance of leadership and clinical nursing, with dedicated administration time every other week, allowing you to focus on leadership responsibilities while remaining actively involved in patient care.

Our nurses are encouraged to fully utilise their skills and run their own nurse clinics, making this an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys both leadership and hands-on nursing.

The practice is well-equipped with facilities including:

• Digital radiography
• Dental radiography
• Ultrasound
• Laparoscopic surgery equipment
• Endoscopy

Located in the beautiful medieval town of Rye, you'll enjoy working in one of the South East's most picturesque locations. Surrounded by stunning coastline, countryside and independent cafés, Rye offers an excellent work-life balance while remaining within easy reach of the wider Kent and Sussex areas.

What we're looking for

• RCVS Registered Veterinary Nurse with at least 2 years UK experience post qualification.
• Previous leadership or mentoring experience, or someone ready to take the next step into a leadership position.
• An organised, proactive and confident communicator.
• Comfortable working autonomously while supporting and developing others.
• Passionate about delivering outstanding patient and client care.
• Committed to maintaining high clinical standards and driving continuous improvement.
• A collaborative leader who enjoys building positive relationships and creating an engaged, supportive team culture.