Clinical Nurse Manager – Maternity Cover (12 Months)

Vet for Life – Surbiton, Teddington & Shepperton

Hours: Full-time, 40 hours/week, Monday–Friday, no weekends, no out-of-hours
Salary: From £40,000 (experience dependent)
Contract: Fixed-term maternity cover, 12 months

About the role

This is a rare opportunity to lead and shape nursing across three high-performing, well-established practices. Our teams pride themselves on delivering exceptional patient care and consistently high clinical standards.

As CNM, you’ll combine hands-on clinical work with leadership, overseeing nursing standards, mentoring and developing your team, and shaping processes that directly influence patient care. You’ll remain actively involved clinically, while gaining senior leadership experience, contributing to practice strategy, and supporting a team that values collaboration, professional development, and clinical excellence.

You will be joining a highly motivated, experienced nursing team, giving you the freedom to focus on leadership while staying connected to the clinical work you enjoy. This role is ideal for an experienced nurse ready to step into a senior leadership role while maintaining hands-on practice at the top of your license.

What the role involves

• Clinical: 3 days per week, typically one day at each branch
• Leadership/Admin: 2 days per week (flexible depending on experience)
• Active, hands-on presence within the nursing team – not office-bound
• Oversight of nursing standards, team development, and day-to-day operations
• Support and mentor nurses at every stage of their career
• Opportunity to influence processes and patient care across all sites

Who this role suits

• Experienced Lead/Head Nurse ready to take multi-site leadership
• Confident in mentoring, coaching, and developing teams
• Enjoys leading by example while staying clinically involved
• Interested in contributing to senior leadership discussions and practice strategy

The team

• Stable, home-grown, and highly engaged nursing teams
• Mix of experienced and newly qualified nurses
• Strong culture of mentorship, shared clinical standards, and mutual respect
• A team where nurses’ opinions are listened to and acted upon

Leadership & progression

• Exposure to Senior Leadership Team discussions
• Involvement in multi-site strategy, P&L awareness, and business decisions
• Develop not just as a nurse, but as a leader within the business

Culture & wellbeing

• Monthly team-led social activities: quizzes, yoga sessions, bingo nights
• Seasonal events: summer socials, Christmas parties, Halloween activities
• In-practice team celebrations and voluntary social events
• Genuine family feel, where staff choose to connect and support one another

About Linnaeus

Linnaeus is part of Mars Veterinary Health, the largest family-owned veterinary company in the world. Being privately owned allows us to focus on long-term investment in our people, facilities, and patient care.

Vet4life is part of Linnaeus and Mars Veterinary Health, the largest family-owned veterinary company in the world. Being privately owned, we can truly be driven by our purpose, to create a better world, and think long-term as opposed to being focused solely on short-term profits. 

At Linnaeus, A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS starts with a better world for our people. Our Associates are over 6000 strong and empowered to speak up, step up and deliver quality services. You’ll have access to a huge network of specialists, worldwide development opportunities and an easily accessible, comprehensive wellbeing package that prioritises your physical and mental health, allowing you to focus on what you do best – care for pets.   

We are committed to fostering a culture that is inclusive and diverse, we care about you and want you to be authentic, with everything you need to perform at your best. We are all individual but two important things bring us together: a commitment to excellence and our passion to achieve our purpose.  

All applications with the relevant skills and qualifications will be carefully considered. If you need any support in completing your application or simply want to find out more about Vet4life, Linnaeus or the role please contact our Talent Acquisition team at [email protected]

How to Apply
To apply, click "Apply Now" or contact Purvi Kataria at [email protected] for more information or a confidential discussion.

We look forward to hearing from you.

#LI-PK1 #LI-Onsite 

All applications with the relevant skills and qualifications will be carefully considered.