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- Tasks: Lead a passionate team to provide exceptional care for pets and their new families.
- Company: Join Blue Cross UK, a leader in animal welfare and client services.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holiday, wellbeing support, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of pets and people every day.
- Qualifications: Experience in team management and delivering outstanding customer service required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and a supportive work environment.
The predicted salary is between 25787 - 27886 £ per year.
Join to apply for the Assistant Manager - Client Services role at Blue Cross UK.
Department: Rehoming & Fostering Services | Location: Southampton | Application Deadline: 18 January 2026
Contract: 8-month fixed term maternity cover, full time 37.5 hours per week | Salary: £25,787 - £27,886 per annum
Job Description
We’re looking for a passionate and driven Assistant Manager – Client Services to join our team at the Southampton rehoming centre and help lead our work supporting people and pets. If you have a talent for delivering outstanding customer service, strong people management skills, and a genuine love for animal welfare, this is your opportunity to make a meaningful impact. This is a fixed term role until 30th September 2026.
Responsibilities
- Lead and line manage the client services team to deliver exceptional care from first enquiry through to adoption or other support.
- Work closely with the team to assess and admit pets, match them with the right adopters, and guide clients through every step of their journey.
- Use data and insights to shape services and continuously improve client experience.
- Collaborate with the local leadership team to meet targets and drive pet welfare outcomes.
- Be hands-on with day-to-day operations including managing enquiries, prioritising admissions and promoting pets in our care.
This is an 8-month maternity cover position until 30th September, working full time at 37.5 hours per week on a rota that includes 1 in 3 weekends and bank holidays. The working day is from 8.30am to 5.00pm.
About you
You understand what it takes to match pets with new homes and are passionate about delivering an outstanding client experience. With a sharp eye for detail and a drive for improvement, you know how to assess what’s working – and what’s not. As a people manager, you’re confident in leading by example, setting expectations, and ensuring your team has the support they need to succeed. A natural leader, you bring out the best in your team, supporting and coaching them to grow. You’re calm under pressure, thrive in busy environments, and communicate clearly with people from all walks of life. Your resilience and empathy shine through in emotional situations, helping you build trust, handle challenges with care, and create a compassionate, high-performing team.
Knowledge, skills, and experience
- Significant experience of managing a team.
- Experience in delivering high level customer service.
- Experience of working in a fast-paced environment.
- High standard of verbal and written communication.
- Proven decision-making ability.
- Current full driving licence.
- The ability to demonstrate, understand and apply our Blue Cross Values.
It would be great (but not essential) if you also had:
- Performance management and improvement experience.
- Understanding of safeguarding issues.
- Experience of admission and adoption processes in a rescue environment.
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.
How to apply
Click the apply button below and complete the online application process before the closing date Sunday 18th January 2026. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response.
Assistant Manager - Client Services in Southampton employer: Blue Cross UK
Contact Detail:
Blue Cross UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Manager - Client Services in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Blue Cross UK and their values. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in their mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your people skills! As an Assistant Manager, you'll need to lead a team and connect with clients. Role-play common scenarios with friends or family to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for situational questions! Think about how you've handled challenges in the past, especially in fast-paced environments. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity. It shows professionalism and keeps you on their radar.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Manager - Client Services in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your love for animal welfare shine through. We want to see your genuine enthusiasm for helping pets find their forever homes and how that aligns with our mission.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in customer service and team management. We’re looking for someone who can lead by example, 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. Use clear language to communicate your skills and experiences, as we appreciate a high standard of written communication.
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
Before the interview, make sure you understand Blue Cross UK’s mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their rehoming and fostering services, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will show your genuine interest in the role and the organisation.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
As an Assistant Manager, you'll be leading a team, so be ready to discuss your management style. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, especially in high-pressure situations. Highlight your ability to coach and support team members to achieve their best.
✨Demonstrate Customer Service Excellence
Since delivering outstanding customer service is key for this role, come prepared with specific examples of how you've gone above and beyond for clients. Think about times when you resolved issues or improved client experiences, and be ready to share those stories.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few insightful questions ready to ask. This could be about the team dynamics, challenges they face in client services, or how success is measured in the role. It shows you're engaged and thinking critically about how you can contribute.