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- Tasks: Lead a dedicated team to improve the lives of animals at our shelter.
- Company: Join Little Valley Animal Shelter, a compassionate and professional animal welfare organisation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, on-site accommodation, and generous annual leave.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in animal welfare while living in beautiful Devon.
- Qualifications: Experience in animal welfare and team management is essential.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with clear career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 28500 - 28500 £ per year.
Join to apply for the Deputy Shelter Manager (Live-in) role at RNLI
Base pay range
About Us
Little Valley Animal Shelter is an independent, self-funded branch of the RSPCA, based just outside the beautiful city of Exeter. For over 180 years, we’ve been rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in need across Devon.
We’re proud to provide a compassionate, professional, and positive environment for both animals and people. With around 50 dedicated staff and over 100 volunteers, we work together to ensure every animal gets the best chance of a happy new life.
We’re looking for a Deputy Shelter Manager to join us in a full-time, live-in position, working 42 hours per week.
What We Offer
- Salary of £28,500 per annum (live-in) + on-site accommodation (total package worth over £40,000)
- On-site accommodation
- Support for training relevant to this role
- Time off in lieu, agreed in advance with your line manager
- Supply of Little Valley uniform
- 29 days’ annual leave (including bank holidays and your birthday off), increasing to 31 days after 5 years’ continuous service and 34 days after 10 years
- 5% employer pension contribution (NEST scheme; employee 5%)
- Occupational Sick Pay
- Access to our Health Assured wellbeing scheme
- Use of company vehicle for Little Valley business purposes
- Discounted rates with PetPlan pet insurance
This is a unique opportunity for a compassionate and motivated animal welfare professional with a great leadership style to live on-site and play a vital role in transforming the lives of animals in need.
You’ll join a caring team in a leading role where every day brings new challenges and rewards, working amid Devon’s stunning countryside and surrounded by a huge variety of animals that you will support.
With training support and clear career growth opportunities, this is the perfect next step for someone ready to lead with purpose and make a real difference whilst benefitting from fully paid for accommodation and a fantastic rewards package.
About the Role
As the Deputy Shelter Manager, you’ll play a key role in the daily running and continuous improvement of our busy Exeter shelter.
Joining our leadership team, you’ll work alongside the Shelter Manager, Assistant Managers and the Animal Behaviour Manager, planning animal intake and ensuring every animal’s journey through the shelter is safe and positive from start to finish.
You’ll lead and support the wider team, making sure staff and volunteers have what they need to do their jobs well. You’ll keep standards high, make confident decisions when needed and provide guidance and reassurance so everyone can work together effectively.
As part of the role, you’ll be required to take part in our out-of-hours cover team, ensuring the shelter runs smoothly around the clock.
Additionally, you will:
- Work closely with vets and our Animal Behaviour team to make the best decisions for each animal
- Help with community events, fundraising and engagement with visitors
About You
To be considered as a Deputy Shelter Manager, you will need:
- Experience in animal welfare, shelter management or a related supervisory role
- At least two years’ experience of managing a team
- A compassionate and empathetic approach to animal welfare
- Strong organisational skills and a proactive attitude
- The ability to support and motivate people to do their best work
- Excellent communication and decision-making skills
- Calmness and confidence under pressure
- A full, valid driving licence
Other organisations may call this role Animal Welfare Manager, Animal Care Manager, Rehoming Centre Manager, Animal Rescue Centre Deputy Manager, Rehoming Centre Deputy Manager, or Animal Welfare Deputy Manager.
The closing date for this role is 5 pm on Monday 3rd November 2025.
Webrecruit and Little Valley Animal Shelter are equal opportunities employers, value diversity and are strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment. Equal opportunities are the only acceptable way to conduct business and we believe that the more inclusive our environments are, the better our work will be.
To apply for the role of Deputy Shelter Manager, please select the button shown. This vacancy is being advertised by Webrecruit. The services advertised by Webrecruit are those of an Employment Agency.
Seniority level
- Mid-Senior level
Employment type
- Full-time
Job function
- Other
Industries
- Non-profit Organizations
Exeter, England, United Kingdom
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Deputy Shelter Manager (Live-in) employer: RNLI
Contact Detail:
RNLI Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Shelter Manager (Live-in)
✨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 a Deputy Shelter 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 researching Little Valley Animal Shelter and its mission. Show us that you’re not just passionate about animal welfare, but that you understand our values and how you can contribute to our team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership skills! As a Deputy Shelter Manager, you'll need to motivate and support your team. Think of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a group or resolved conflicts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining our amazing team at Little Valley.
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Shelter Manager (Live-in)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Animal Welfare: When writing your application, let your love for animals shine through! Share any relevant experiences that highlight your commitment to animal welfare and how you’ve made a difference in previous roles.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to fit the Deputy Shelter Manager role. Use keywords from the job description and demonstrate how your skills and experiences align with what we’re looking for.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key points stand out. This helps us see your qualifications quickly!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Little Valley Animal Shelter.
How to prepare for a job interview at RNLI
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you’re well-versed in Little Valley Animal Shelter’s mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their work in animal welfare and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Show Your Compassion
As a Deputy Shelter Manager, empathy is key. Prepare examples from your past roles where you demonstrated compassion towards animals and people alike. This will show that you truly understand the importance of the role.
✨Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Highlight your leadership skills and experience managing teams. Be ready to share specific instances where you motivated your team or resolved conflicts, as this role requires strong collaboration with staff and volunteers.
✨Stay Calm Under Pressure
The shelter environment can be hectic, so prepare to discuss how you handle stress and make decisions under pressure. Share examples that showcase your calmness and confidence in challenging situations.
