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- Tasks: Lead a passionate team to rehome pets and support the community.
- Company: Join Blue Cross, a leading animal welfare charity making a difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holidays, wellbeing support, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of pet care while inspiring a dedicated team.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in animal welfare and strong people management skills.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and community impact.
The predicted salary is between 24400 - 27600 £ per year.
Application Deadline: 18 January 2026
Department: Rehoming & Fostering Services
Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time
Location: Manchester
Reporting To: Rehoming Operations Manager, Client Services
Compensation: £28,481 - £33,118 / year
Description Contract: Permanent, full time
Salary: £28,481 to £33,118 per annum
Location: Radcliffe, M26 1NQ
Closing date: Sunday 18th January 2026
Interview dates:
- 1st stage interview – Monday 26th January 2026
- 2nd stage discovery session – Monday 2nd February 2026
Are you an experienced operational manager, who relishes a challenge, with a passion for pets and people? We’re recruiting a Centre Manager with strong leadership, organisational and communication skills to lead our Manchester Rehoming Advice and behaviour unit. This is an exciting time for the Manchester Centre with many changes happening and the chance for a dynamic leader to bring their own experience and help shape the future of the centre, for the pets and clients we help through our site, as well as the Manchester team.
More about the role
Based in our high street location since 2018, we are perfectly placed to support our local community and surrounding areas. Our Foster-based care and Home Direct scheme ensures animals find new loving homes without the stress of kennels. This means that we do not usually have pets staying onsite overnight and our roles may not include daily pet care, but no two days are ever the same. As Centre Manager, you’ll be responsible for all aspects of the centre – pets, people, facilities, compliance and finances. Working closely with your Assistant Managers, you’ll inspire and empower your team, embed a culture of continuous improvement and ensure the highest welfare standards. This role is about leading people, bringing teams together and driving performance. We have a skilled, passionate team with great ideas – we now need someone who can take those forward, make things happen, and bring colleagues with them on the journey. There’s also real opportunity to shape the culture of the centre, including rethinking how we can best meet our goals for helping pets.
The standard hours for this role are 37.5 hours per week on a locally agreed rota to include weekends and bank holidays. The standard hours are 8:30 – 5 Monday – Friday, working 1 in 3 weekends (Sat and Sun), with flexibility where there is a business need.
About you
You will be an inspirational leader with a proven track record of motivating, developing and supporting people in a fast-paced environment. You’ll bring strong people management skills – able to set direction, take action and empower others to deliver improvements. Alongside your leadership strengths, you’ll bring sound knowledge of animal welfare and operational excellence from a similar environment. Confident and decisive, you’ll balance the needs of pets, people and resources to achieve outstanding results. Resilient, empathetic and emotionally intelligent, you’ll thrive on challenge and approach every situation with a positive, problem‑solving mindset.
Knowledge, skills, and experience
- Significant experience of successfully motivating, leading, and developing high performance teams, including setting clearly defined objectives, and managing performance in an animal welfare setting.
- Strong knowledge of animal welfare/care, ensuring operational excellence in a similar animal welfare environment.
- Experience of positively embracing and adapting to change by identifying, leading, and managing change in line with organisational objectives.
- Financially aware and numerate.
- Proven experience of working constructively and collaboratively with colleagues from different teams.
- Interpersonal and consultative skills, including the ability to communicate, present, negotiate, influence, and build credibility with colleagues and external parties.
- Experience of working in a commercial environment where the need to control costs and deliver high levels of service are important.
- The ability to demonstrate, understand and apply our Blue Cross values.
- Current full driving licence.
How to apply
Click the apply button below and complete the online application process before the closing date on Sunday 18th January 2026. The process will include:
- First stage interview and site tour
- Online Discovery Session – This will include scenario‑based exercises and group discussions, giving you the chance to demonstrate your leadership style and approach to change while meeting colleagues.
Blue Cross benefits
Our people are the most important part of delivering our purpose. If it were not for their amazing efforts and commitment, we would not be able to make the difference that we do today. In return, Blue Cross wants to ensure we provide you with the best working environment we can. We want you to be happy working for us and will do everything we can to make sure you are. Our generous benefits package includes:
- Full time equivalent of 38 days holiday rising to 43 with service (including Bank Holidays)
- Programmes for physical and mental wellbeing support
- Free access to GP via MetLife - 24/7 GP services, private prescriptions and more for you and your family
- Health cash plan
- Unlimited access to an employee assistance programme
- Pension scheme with enhanced employer contribution
- Professional fees paid with Continuing Professional Development and personal development support.
- Life assurance
- 20% discount on Pet Plan pet insurance
- Enhanced family friendly policies
- Recognition scheme
- Annual volunteer days
- Charity worker discounts across a variety of retailers
To read more about the benefits Blue Cross has to offer, please visit the "why work for us" page on our website.
Rehoming Centre Manager in Manchester employer: Blue Cross For Pets
Contact Detail:
Blue Cross For Pets Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Rehoming Centre Manager in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research their values, mission, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Think about how your experience aligns with the role of Rehoming Centre Manager. Practice answering common questions and have examples ready that showcase your leadership and problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and making a difference in the lives of pets and people.
We think you need these skills to ace Rehoming Centre Manager in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your love for pets and people shine through! We want to see how your passion aligns with our mission at the Rehoming Centre.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in animal welfare and team leadership. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and lead, so share specific examples of how you've done this in the past.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make it easy for us to see why you’re the perfect fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website before the deadline on 18th January 2026! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get the ball rolling.
How to prepare for a job interview at Blue Cross For Pets
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of animal welfare and operational excellence. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the role of a Rehoming Centre Manager, especially in motivating and leading teams in a fast-paced environment.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
During the interview, be prepared to share specific examples of how you've inspired and empowered your team in previous roles. Highlight your ability to set clear objectives and manage performance effectively, as this is crucial for the position.
✨Embrace Change
The role involves adapting to changes and leading your team through them. Share instances where you've successfully managed change in line with organisational objectives, demonstrating your resilience and problem-solving mindset.
✨Engage with the Team
Since the interview process includes a discovery session with colleagues, use this opportunity to showcase your interpersonal skills. Engage in discussions, listen actively, and demonstrate how you can build credibility and collaborate effectively with others.
