Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead home-based pet operations and ensure every pet finds their perfect family.
- Company: Join Blue Cross, a compassionate organisation dedicated to animal welfare.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holiday, wellbeing support, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in pets' lives while leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Experience in team management and strong knowledge of pet welfare required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and community impact.
The predicted salary is between 22000 - 24000 £ per year.
Department: Rehoming & Fostering Services
Location: Devon (Exeter centre, EX2 8ED)
Contract: Permanent, full time (37.5 hours per week)
Salary: £25,787 - £27,047 per annum
Application deadline: 24 February 2026
We are recruiting an Assistant Manager – Offsite Services to lead and streamline our home-based pet operations in Devon. You will ensure that every pet finds the perfect match with their new family as quickly as possible while maintaining top-quality care for both pets and clients throughout the adoption journey. This role is based onsite at our Exeter centre and does not offer hybrid working arrangements.
Responsibilities
- Lead the daily operations of home-based pet care, acting as the subject matter expert in practical animal handling and assessment.
- Ensure timely pet assessments, behaviour management, and training, preparing pets for adoption efficiently.
- Work with the team to achieve pet-related targets and maintain high standards of animal care in accordance with national case management processes.
- Manage and develop a team of Pet Welfare Assistants and a Foster Coordinator, promoting professional development and teamwork.
- Innovate and respond to urgent cases without on-site cattery or kennel facilities.
- Motivate and coach staff to deliver high-quality home-based pet care and client service.
- Fulfil responsibilities 37.5 hours per week, including 1 in 3 weekends.
About you
You are a capable people manager with experience in an animal-related environment and strong knowledge of pet welfare and care. You inspire and motivate your team, driving continuous improvement and delivering effective management and coaching for the Pet Welfare Assistants. You communicate clearly with diverse audiences, stay calm under pressure, and make confident decisions. You have strong analytical skills to monitor and improve onsite facilities and services, and you demonstrate resilience and emotional intelligence when supporting your team and the public.
Knowledge, skills, and experience
- Significant experience in managing a team.
- Significant experience delivering high-level customer service in a fast-paced environment.
- Significant subject matter expertise and application of pet welfare and handling of domestic animals.
- High standard of verbal and written communication.
- Current full driving licence.
- Ability to demonstrate, understand and apply our Blue Cross values.
Desirable
- Performance management and improvement experience.
- Experience working with volunteers.
- Understanding of safeguarding issues.
How to apply
Click the apply button below and complete the online application process before the closing date: Tuesday 24 February 2026. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if there is an overwhelming response.
Benefits
Blue Cross benefits include a generous package and development opportunities, such as:
- Full-time equivalent of 38 days holiday rising to 43 with service (including bank holidays).
- Wellbeing support and resources.
- GP access via MetLife (24/7), private prescriptions and more for you and your family.
- Health cash plan.
- Employee assistance programme.
- Pension scheme with enhanced employer contribution.
- Professional and personal development support.
- Life assurance.
- Discounts on pet insurance.
- Enhanced family-friendly policies.
- Recognition scheme and annual volunteer days.
- Charity worker discounts across a variety of retailers.
For more details about the benefits, please visit the Blue Cross website.
Assistant Manager - Offsite Services in Exeter employer: Blue Cross UK
Contact Detail:
Blue Cross UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Manager - Offsite Services in Exeter
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the animal welfare sector and let them know you're on the hunt for an Assistant Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of pet welfare and care. Be ready to share examples of how you've managed teams and delivered top-notch customer service in fast-paced environments. Show them you’re the perfect fit for leading their home-based pet operations!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your emotional intelligence during interviews. Talk about how you’ve supported your team and handled challenging situations with clients. This will demonstrate that you can stay calm under pressure and make confident decisions.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance at landing the job! Make sure to tailor your application to highlight your experience in managing teams and your passion for animal welfare. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Manager - Offsite Services in Exeter
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience in managing teams and delivering high-quality customer service. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Assistant Manager – Offsite Services!
Showcase Your Passion for Pets: Let your love for animals shine through! Share any relevant experiences you have in pet welfare and handling, as this will resonate with us and show that you're a great fit for our team.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your communication reflects your ability to convey information effectively, just like you would in the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website before the deadline! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Blue Cross UK
✨Know Your Stuff About Pet Welfare
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of pet welfare and handling. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your experience that demonstrate your expertise in animal care and how you've successfully managed teams in similar environments.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare to talk about your leadership style and how you've motivated teams in the past. Think of concrete examples where you’ve driven continuous improvement or handled challenging situations with your team, as this role requires strong people management skills.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly, especially when discussing complex topics like behaviour management and training. This will help you convey your ideas effectively during the interview, showing that you can communicate well with diverse audiences.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills
Be prepared to discuss how you would handle urgent cases without on-site facilities. Think of scenarios where you've had to innovate under pressure and be ready to share your thought process on how you approach problem-solving in a fast-paced environment.
