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.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and community impact.
- 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.
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
Blue Cross is an exceptional employer for Veterinary Coordinators, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. Located in Exeter, our team enjoys generous benefits including extensive holiday entitlement, mental health support, and opportunities for continued professional development, all while making a meaningful impact on animal welfare. Join us to be part of a compassionate and inclusive environment where your expertise will help shape the future of pet care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Manager - Offsite Services in Exeter
✨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 Blue Cross UK.
✨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 Blue Cross UK.
✨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 Blue Cross UK.
✨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 Blue Cross UK. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Manager - Offsite Services in Exeter
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 Blue Cross UK. 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 Assistant Manager - Offsite Services, 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 Blue Cross UK
✨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 Blue Cross UK. 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!
