Overview
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
Your role includes:
* 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.
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