At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead meaningful change in our London cattery and improve service efficiency.
- Company: Battersea, a renowned animal rescue organisation dedicated to helping dogs and cats.
- Benefits: 36 days annual leave, gym discounts, free healthcare cash plan, and generous pension contributions.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to inclusivity and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference for animals while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading change; no animal welfare background required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Battersea is seeking a Service Improvement Manager for a one-year opportunity leading meaningful change in our London cattery. This is an ideal role if you’re ready for a career change and want to make a real difference. Our London cattery cares for over 130 cats every day, supported by a dedicated team of more than 45 colleagues working seven days a week across intake, welfare, and rehoming. Working closely with behaviour, clinical, and foster teams, the centre successfully rehomes at least 1,000 cats each year, offering a rewarding environment for anyone who wants to see the direct impact of their work.
We are now looking for an experienced leader to review how our service operates and improve the flow and efficiency of our processes. You’ll lead a programme of service evaluation and continuous improvement, driving practical changes that deliver better outcomes for cats and a more engaging experience for our teams. This role could be a great fit if you’re motivated by making a difference through improvement. Reporting to the Head of Centre Operations and working closely with the London Centre Manager, you’ll shape and deliver improvements that align with Battersea's culture and long-term ambitions. This role combines strategic thinking with operational leadership, requiring someone who can bring people on the journey and embed lasting change.
You don’t need an animal welfare background; we welcome candidates from sectors such as health and social care, retail, or customer service. What matters is your ability to lead change, improve services, and your enthusiasm for making a positive impact. This role is a great opportunity for someone who loves animals and is looking for something more meaningful in your next role.
What we can offer you: In return for your commitment to our cause and to recognise the value of our employees, Battersea offers a range of benefits to support the wellbeing of our employees. These include:
- 36 days of annual leave (inclusive of 8 days Bank Holiday leave allowance) per year for full-time employees (pro-rated for part-time employees).
- Discounted gym memberships and cycle to work schemes.
- Employee Assistance Programme and access to Wellbeing Resources.
- Generous pension contributions - up to 10% employer contribution.
- Free healthcare cash plan, where you can claim for a range of treatment including dental, optical, physiotherapy, chiropody and acupuncture every year.
We are also committed to providing learning and development to our employees. During your time with us, we provide support for your professional and career development, including access to digital and in‑person training programmes, leadership and management training, mentoring and much more.
Working with our rescues is a very rewarding experience. Your work plays a vital role in giving our dogs and cats a chance at finding their forever home. Every day will be different and will come with its own unique challenges. We are looking for people with the resilience and adaptability to handle all aspects of this role. It is important to note that the role does involve a lot of physical tasks which are required to provide the exceptional standards of care to our animals.
Diversity and inclusion: We are committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive experience for all staff, volunteers and trustees and those hoping to join us. We operate an anonymised shortlisting process and actively seek to ensure our process is fair and equitable for all. We understand the value of diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences to help us deliver even more for our dogs and cats, and we welcome applicants from all sections of the community. As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we will ask about any adjustments you may need at application and/or interview stage, and if you are offered a role with us, we’ll talk to you about any workplace adjustments you may need to help you perform at your best.
If you would like to talk more about this, please contact jobs@battersea.org.uk or call us on 020 3887 8341. Greyscale copies of the recruitment pack are also available on request.
More about us: At Battersea, we aim to never turn away a dog or cat in need of help. We give each one lots of love, expert care and get to know their characters and quirks so we can find them a new home that’s just right for them. Join us and help us be here for every dog and cat, wherever they are, for as long as they need us.
Acceptable use of AI: At Battersea, we value expertise. We recognise each candidate that applies to us will have a range of expertise they can offer us, so we want to hear about this in your own words. We understand the support that generative artificial intelligence (AI) software can offer but it can also lead to numerous applications presenting as generic and impersonal. This makes it difficult to gain understanding of your unique experience. To best showcase yourself, we encourage you to write your responses without the assistance of AI. If you require the use of AI software to aid in completing your application, we ask you use the generative responses as a prompt for writing your answers and avoid copying and pasting. You must also ensure the information presented in your application accurately reflects your experience.
Closing date: 18th June 2026. Shortlisting will take place on 19th June. For more information about the role, please download our Recruitment pack.
Service Improvement Manager employer: Battersea
Battersea is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of cats and their future homes. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, we provide generous benefits including 36 days of annual leave, professional development support, and a welcoming, inclusive work culture that values diverse perspectives. Join our dedicated team in London and experience the rewarding challenge of leading service improvements in a vibrant environment where your contributions truly matter.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Improvement Manager
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Battersea.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Battersea.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Battersea.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Battersea. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Service Improvement Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Battersea. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Service Improvement Manager, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Battersea
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Battersea. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
