Animal welfare jobs

We are seeking an organised, proactive, and people-focused Business Support and Grant Manager to join our growing charity. This new full time role has been created to support increasing demand and offers the opportunity to contribute directly to projects that deliver lasting community impact. The position is offered on a two-year fixed-term contract, with the intention of becoming permanent. Some UK travel, including occasional overnight stays, will be required.

Reports To: CEO

Contract: Full Time Fixed Term (2 years) with the intention of becoming permanent

Location: Within commuting distance of Milton Keynes, with UK travel and occasional overnight stays. Hybrid working from home will be optional following an induction period of at least two months at the head office. 

Purpose of the Role: To provide effective business support and development assistance to the charity while managing community grants from application through to award, monitoring and reporting. The postholder will support organisational growth, stakeholder engagement, tendering for new contracts, and the delivery of grant funding that creates positive community and social impact.

Probation Period: Four Months

Key Responsibilities:

Business Support

· Support the day-to-day operational effectiveness of the charity.

· Coordinate, prepare and submit tenders and business proposals.

· Gather and collate information from internal and external stakeholders to support submissions.

· Ensure all submissions are completed accurately and within deadlines.

· Support the CEO and Grant Director with reports and presentations.

· Maintain accurate records, databases and organisational documentation.

Grant Management

· Administer grant programmes from application to project completion.

· Review and assess funding applications against agreed criteria.

· Undertake due diligence and eligibility checks.

· Attend community benefit fund Advisory Panel Meetings.

· Monitor grant expenditure and funded project progress.

· Review monitoring reports and evaluate project outcomes.

· Ensure compliance with governance, funding conditions and reporting requirements.

· Maintain accurate grant records and audit trails.

Stakeholder Engagement

· Develop and maintain positive relationships with funders, applicants, community groups and partners.

· Provide guidance and support to applicants throughout the grant process.

· Support the onboarding of new clients.

· Represent the charity at meetings and events and public consultations.

· Act as a key point of contact for stakeholders and grant recipients.

Community Benefit Funds

· Support the development and delivery of community benefit funds.

· Assist with planning, governance, assessment and reporting activities.

· Support research and community engagement initiatives.

· Contribute to ensuring funds deliver measurable and lasting community outcomes.

General

· Uphold the values, policies and procedures of the charity.

· Work collaboratively across the organisation.

· Undertake other duties appropriate to the role and level of responsibility.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

Experience

· Experience of preparing tenders, funding bids or funding applications.

· Experience of stakeholder engagement and relationship management.

· Experience of managing multiple projects and competing priorities.

· Experience of producing reports and maintaining accurate records.

Knowledge

· Understanding of grant-making processes and funding assessment principles.

· Knowledge of governance, compliance and accountability requirements.

· Understanding of community-focused or charitable activities.

Skills & Abilities

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

· Strong organisational and project management skills.

· Ability to assess information objectively and make evidence-based recommendations.

· Strong attention to detail and accuracy.

· Ability to build effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.

· Competent in Microsoft Office applications and database management.

· Ability to work independently and use initiative.

Personal Attributes

· Proactive and self-motivated.

· Professional and trustworthy.

· Strong commitment to fairness, transparency and integrity.

· Adaptable and solutions-focused.

· Passionate about supporting communities and delivering positive impact.

Desirable Criteria

Experience

· Experience working within a charity, community organisation, social enterprise or funding body.

· Experience managing community benefit funds.

· Experience of contract management or project delivery.

· Experience supporting senior leaders or board-level governance activities.

Knowledge

· Understanding of social value and community wealth-building principles.

· Knowledge of charity governance and funding environments.

Qualifications

· Degree-level qualification or relevant professional experience.

· Relevant qualification in business administration, project management, fundraising, grant management or a related discipline.

Other Requirements

· Willingness to travel across the UK.

· Ability to undertake occasional overnight stays.

· Right to work in the UK

· UK Driving License

Make a difference every day with PDSA

About Us

Join us to help keep even more people and pets together when times are tough. For over a century, PDSA has provided vital veterinary care for the pets of people experiencing financial hardship.

We're now on a journey to expand our reach and support even more people and their beloved pets. To achieve this ambitious goal, we need passionate and driven individuals who are ready to embrace change and help shape the future of PDSA.

Together, we'll build a stronger organisation and ensure our services continue to support those who need us most for the next hundred years.

If you're ready to make a real difference and be part of a team creating positive change, we'd love to hear from you.

About the role

We're looking for an Inbound Customer Service Advisor to join our friendly and supportive National Customer Service Centre (NCSC) in Sunderland.

You'll be based just 600 metres from our PDSA Pet Hospital, working as part of a welcoming team of around 60 colleagues who are passionate about delivering exceptional service to our clients, supporters, volunteers and retail customers.

Our National Customer Service Centre has grown significantly over the last decade and now supports thousands of people every year through a wide variety of enquiries. It's a fast-paced, rewarding environment where every conversation helps make a difference.

As an Inbound Customer Service Advisor, you'll be the first point of contact for many of the people who rely on PDSA. You'll provide a warm, professional and efficient service, ensuring every interaction reflects our values and supports our mission of keeping people and pets together when times are tough.

What you'll be doing

• Handling a variety of inbound telephone calls and emails, providing accurate, friendly and helpful support.
• Managing first-line customer complaints professionally and empathetically, aiming to achieve a positive first-time resolution.
• Promoting PDSA products and services where appropriate by identifying customer needs and recommending suitable solutions.
• Accurately recording customer information and processing payments and refunds.
• Working towards individual and team performance targets, including KPIs and service levels, while maintaining excellent quality standards.
• Keeping your knowledge up to date with PDSA services, policies, campaigns and fundraising initiatives.

About you

You'll enjoy helping people and be passionate about delivering outstanding customer service.

We're looking for someone who is calm under pressure, enjoys speaking with a wide range of people and takes pride in resolving enquiries efficiently and compassionately.

You'll have:

• Excellent communication and listening skills, with confidence speaking on the telephone.
• Experience working within a customer service or contact centre environment.
• Strong computer skills with excellent attention to detail when recording customer information.
• A positive, proactive approach and a genuine desire to provide exceptional customer service.
• The ability to show empathy and professionalism, particularly when dealing with sensitive or challenging conversations.

It would also be beneficial if you have experience of:

• Handling written customer enquiries via email.
• Cross-selling, upselling or generating leads within a customer service environment.

Recruitment Process

As part of our recruitment process, shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an in person assessment centre at our National Customer Service Centre in Sunderland, which is planned for the beginning/mid September 2026.

Rewards,supportand benefits 

We’rereally passionateabout beinga great placeto work,somewhere people feel proud of what they do, connected to a meaningful purpose, and able to make a genuine difference every day. Our teams are collaborative and supportive, and we encourage everyone to bring their ideas,individualityand passion for pets to work with them. 

As well as a rewarding role and a positive, people-focused culture, we also offer a wide range of benefits, including: 

• Flexible working options to support your work–life balance and individual circumstances. 

• 25 days’ holiday plus Bank Holidays 

• Three paid special days off: Volunteering Day, CelebrationDayand Wellbeing Day annually. 

• Generous pension options, with PDSA contributions starting at 5% and rising to 10%. 

• Life assurance providing four times your annual salary for added peace of mind. 

• AXA Health Employee Assistance Programme, with 24/7 wellbeing support 

• Retail,holidayand lifestyle discounts available through our staff Fetch benefits platform. 

• Enhanced maternity,paternityand adoption leave to support you and your family. 

• 10% discount on PDSA Pet Insurance plus access to staff veterinary services. 

PDSA is committed to embedding a culture of diversity and inclusion within our teams that reflect the communities we serve. We aim to create a working environment in which all individualsare able tomake best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies and opportunities for flexible working arrangements to support team members fromdifferent backgrounds. 

If you have any questions or concernsregardingaccessibility, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss via email or telephone reasonable adjustments that you mayrequirethroughout the recruitment process. 

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, adults at risk and all our colleagues and expect everyone who works for us to also share this commitment and to treat people with courtesy and respect. 

To support this commitment, our recruitment & selection processes are robust and rigorous. All appointments will be subject to satisfactory references andappropriate backgroundchecks. 

As a Volunteer Experience Advisor, you’ll be the first point of contact for our volunteer community, providing guidance, encouragement and support from application through to retirement. You’ll play an essential role in ensuring every volunteer feels valued, informed and connected while contributing to the life-enhancing work of Pets As Therapy. If you’re organised, compassionate, confident communicating with people from all walks of life and passionate about supporting others, we’d love to hear from you.

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