Lead Theatre Supervisor

Job Title: Lead Theatre Supervisor (RVN)
Location: North Downs Specialist Referrals
Job Type: Permanent
Hours: Full time (40 hours/week)
Salary: Starting salary up to £39,500/annum, depending on experience.

Step into a senior RVN leadership role where you can take full ownership of theatre operations while staying hands‑on clinically. This is an opportunity to lead within a large, specialist referral hospital, working alongside experienced clinicians and a highly skilled nursing team.

You’ll have a structured weekday schedule with no weekends or out-of-hours, clear progression pathways, and the chance to directly influence patient care, team performance, and theatre efficiency.

If you’re looking to move into a leadership position without stepping away from clinical work, this role offers the right balance of responsibility, development, and support.

North Downs Specialist Referrals is an internationally recognised, RCVS-accredited veterinary referral centre, providing advanced medical and surgical care across multiple disciplines.

You will be working alongside one of the largest groups of veterinary specialists in the UK and Europe, supported by a team of over 60 Registered Veterinary Nurses. Specialisms include surgery, internal medicine, neurology, oncology, cardiology, diagnostic imaging, anaesthesia and more.

Our Nursing Pathways programme is designed to support RVNs at every stage of their career, offering structured development, leadership opportunities, and continued clinical progression.

This is a full-time permanent position (40 hours per week):

Monday to Friday: 8.00am–17.00pm
No weekends
No out-of-hours

As Lead Theatre Supervisor, you will play a key role in managing the day‑to‑day running of theatre while supporting and leading the nursing team. You will be responsible for coordinating workflow, maintaining high clinical standards, and ensuring efficient patient throughput across departments.

This is a hands‑on leadership role suited to an experienced RVN who thrives in a fast‑paced referral environment.

• Lead the day‑to‑day organisation of the theatre department, including case scheduling and team coordination
• Plan and allocate staffing resources effectively across shifts, adapting to changes in workload
• Maintain and drive high standards of patient care in line with professional and practice expectations
• Act as a visible, supportive leader within the theatre team, providing guidance and clinical support
• Proactively manage and resolve operational, staffing, and clinical challenges during shifts
• Coordinate patient flow through effective communication with Wards, Diagnostics, Reception, and Bookings
• Ensure theatre areas are maintained to a high clinical and hygiene standard
• Oversee downtime effectively, ensuring cleaning, maintenance, and organisation tasks are completed

We are looking for a motivated and experienced RVN ready to step into a leadership role.

• RCVS Registered Veterinary Nurse
• Minimum 2–3 years’ experience within a multidisciplinary referral practice
• Strong organisational and time management skills
• Confident working in a fast‑paced clinical environment
• High attention to detail and commitment to clinical excellence
• Proactive, solutions‑focused approach
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work across multiple teams

• Excellent command of written and spoken English
• Professional and compassionate approach at all times
• Right to Work in the UK

We pride ourselves on having a genuinely supportive culture, offering:

Regular CPD and learning opportunities

Monthly team meetings and communication

Career development opportunities (including additional qualifications if desired)

Social team culture with events including Christmas Party

Benefits:

5 weeks holiday + bank holidays + Birthday Leave

RCVS and VDS fees paid

External CPD funded

Extensive free online Linnaeus CPD programmes

Career progression opportunities

Staff discount schemes

Enhanced sickness pay

Enhanced equal family leave

Wellness program including:

Employee assistance programme

Eyecare voucher scheme

Free annual Flu jab

Cycle to work scheme

Childcare…