Foster Coordinator in Hedge End

We are looking for a passionate and organised pet Foster Coordinator to join our Rehoming & Fostering team in Southampton. This is a rewarding opportunity to play a vital role in helping pets find safe, loving homes while they wait for their forever families. Our fostering service is central to our mission, supporting more pets by providing temporary homes through a dedicated network of volunteer fosterers. In this role, you’ll help grow and support that network, ensuring both pets and people have the best possible experience.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, support, and manage a diverse network of volunteer fosterers across your local area.
• Monitor foster capacity, match pets to suitable homes, and ensure a smooth and effective fostering journey.
• Build strong relationships within local communities and with partner organisations, promoting fostering opportunities and attracting new volunteers.
• Maintain a high-performing fostering service, ensuring fosterers feel valued, supported, and confident in their role.

This is a full‑time position, working Monday to Friday, 8:30am‑5:00pm, plus one in three weekends (with two days off in lieu during the week). You are a confident communicator with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with people from all backgrounds. You’ll have experience managing or supporting volunteers, particularly in remote or community‑based settings, and understand how to motivate and guide them effectively. You’re collaborative, proactive, and solutions‑focused, with a genuine passion for helping others succeed in their roles. You’re comfortable working in a fast‑paced, sometimes emotionally challenging environment, and bring resilience, empathy, and sound judgement to your work.

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Demonstrable experience of supervision or management of volunteers.
• Experience of having worked in an animal welfare environment.
• Good experience of running and marketing recruitment campaigns for volunteer roles.
• Experience of working with local communities and promoting volunteer opportunities.
• Good interviewing and recruitment skills.
• Experience of working to a high level with minimal supervision.
• Able to prioritise and manage a busy work schedule dealing with complex issues whilst ensuring timely delivery or resolution of issues.
• Good experience of actively managing a bank of clients, volunteers or stakeholders.
• Previous experience in working in a client‑focused environment where delivering a high level of customer satisfaction is the norm.
• Championing change initiatives, influencing and leading colleagues to embrace the changes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and numerical skills.
• Strong organisational, administration and analytical skills, including use of computerised systems.
• Current full driving licence.
• The ability to demonstrate, understand and apply our Blue Cross values.

Desirable (but not essential)

• Knowledge of animal behaviour and rescue environments.
• Understanding of relevant animal welfare legislation.
• Experience working collaboratively across teams.
• Strong influencing and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Awareness of safeguarding principles.

Benefits

• 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.