Contract: 8-month fixed term maternity cover, full time - 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £25,787 - £27,886 per annum
Location: Southampton, SO30 2HL
Closing date: Sunday 18th January 2026
Interview date: Tuesday 27th January 2026
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.
More about the role
Our Southampton rehoming centre plays a vital role in supporting animals and their people, with on-site kennels and a cattery providing direct care and rehoming services. As part of a compassionate and dedicated team, you’ll help oversee day-to-day operations, support our clients, and ensure we’re making a positive difference in the lives of pets and their owners every day.
As Assistant Manager – Client Services, you’ll be at the forefront of this work. You’ll:
* 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.
At our Southampton rehoming centre, we provide onsite accommodation for pets in our care 24/7. Overnight shifts are usually undertaken by team members who live on site. Occasionally you will be expected to carry out night checks when the resident team members are either not working or away for a period of time.
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.
Want to know more detail? Great! We have attached the job description which hopefully gives you everything you need.
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.
Blue Cross 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:
* Enhanced annual leave entitlement: 30 days plus bank holidays
* Pension scheme with enhanced employer contribution
* Health cash plan
* Life assurance
* Unlimited access to an employee assistance programme
* Programmes for physical and mental wellbeing support
* Free access to GP via MetLife
* Recognition scheme Annual volunteer days
* Claim for professional fees