Rehoming Centre Manager
Application Deadline: 2 June 2026
Department: Rehoming & Fostering Services
Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time
Location: Manchester
Reporting To: Rehoming Operations Manager
Compensation: GBP 31,319 - GBP 36,429 per year
Contract: Permanent, 37.5 hours per week
Location: Radcliffe, M26 1NQ
Closing date: Tuesday 2nd June 2026
More about the role
Are you an experienced operational manager, who relishes a challenge, with a passion for pets and people?
We're recruiting a Centre Manager with strong leadership, organisational and communication skills to lead our Manchester Rehoming Advice and behaviour unit.
Based in our high street location since 2018, we are perfectly placed to support our local community and surrounding areas. Our Foster-based care and Home Direct scheme ensures animals find new loving homes without the stress of kennels. This means that we do not usually have pets staying onsite overnight and our roles may not include daily pet care, but no two days are ever the same.
As Centre Manager, you'll be responsible for all aspects of the centre - pets, people, facilities, compliance and finances. Working closely with your Assistant Managers, you'll inspire and empower your team, embed a culture of continuous improvement and ensure the highest welfare standards.
This role is about leading people, bringing teams together and driving performance. We have a skilled, passionate team with great ideas - we now need someone who can take those forward, make things happen, and bring colleagues with them on the journey. There's also real opportunity to shape the culture of the centre, including rethinking how we can best meet our goals for helping pets.
The standard hours for this role are 37.5 hours per week on a locally agreed rota to include weekends and bank holidays. The standard hours are 8:30 - 5 Monday to Friday, working 1 in 3 weekends (Sat and Sun), with flexibility where there is a business need.
About you
You will be an inspirational leader with a proven track record of motivating, developing and supporting people in a fast-paced environment.
Alongside your leadership strengths, you'll bring sound knowledge of animal welfare and operational excellence from a similar environment. Confident and decisive, you'll balance the needs of pets, people and resources to achieve outstanding results.
Resilient, empathetic and emotionally intelligent, you'll thrive on challenge and approach every situation with a positive, problem-solving mindset.
Knowledge, skills, and experience
* Significant experience of successfully motivating, leading and developing high performance teams, including setting clearly defined objectives, and managing performance in an animal welfare setting.
* Strong knowledge of animal welfare/care, ensuring operational excellence in a similar animal welfare environment.
* Experience of positively embracing and adapting to change by identifying, leading and managing change in line with organisational objectives.
* Financially aware and numerate.
* Proven experience of working constructively and collaboratively with colleagues from different teams.
* Interpersonal and consultative skills, including the ability to communicate, present, negotiate, influence and build credibility with colleagues and external parties.
* Experience of working in a commercial environment where the need to control costs and deliver high levels of service are important.
* The ability to demonstrate, understand and apply Blue Cross values.
* Current full driving licence.
How to apply
Complete the online application process before the closing date on Sunday 12th April 2026.
The process will include:
* First stage interview – a competency based interview with two managers.
* Online Discovery Session – scenario-based exercises and group discussions to demonstrate your leadership style and approach to change while meeting colleagues.
Blue Cross benefits
Our people are the most important part of delivering our purpose.
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.
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