Instructor training manager jobs

Location: Hybrid / Community based Luton & Hitchin
Hours: 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People is looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Dog Training Instructor in and around the Luton & Hitchin area.

Working as a Dog Training instructor, you will be fully responsible and accountable for overseeing the entire training lifecycle from puppyhood to the moment they qualify as a Hearing Dog. This is a highly rewarding role where you can directly impact a person’s life. 

Key Responsibilities

We are looking for a self-motivated and positive individual with practical and theoretical experience in dog training and behaviour, with skills in teaching, mentoring and coaching people.

The ability to develop and train dogs using the skills of our volunteers is essential so we are looking for someone who finds value in working with both people and dogs and is driven by the overall goal to help train more dogs for deaf people

You will need:

• resilience and a high degree of efficiency to be a successful Dog Training Instructor
• a full, clean UK driving licence

If this sounds like you, then we would love to hear from you.

About Hearing Dogs for Deaf People

National charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, trains dogs to transform the lives of deaf people and provides hearing loss services – because nobody with hearing loss should feel alone.

Benefits

• Employee Assistance Programme
• Death in Service Payment
• Annual leave enhancements recognising long service 
• Day off for your birthday 
• Defined contribution group personal pension plan 
• Enhanced sick pay 
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay 
• Eye care 
• Hearing tests 
• Learning and Development opportunities 
• Discounts on merchandise at Hearing Dog gift shops 
• Pet Dog Policy

For further information and to apply, please visit our website via the apply button.

Closing date: 1st July 2026.

Please note: This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 due to its duties involving the protection of children and/or adults at risk. Applicants are therefore required to disclose all spent and unspent convictions, cautions, warnings, and reprimands, as well as any relevant non-conviction information. The successful candidate will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check in accordance with the Police Act 1997 (Part V).

Northern Dog Volunteer Recruitment Officer

Location: Home based, supporting northern region’s (Including Scotland, Northern England and parts of the Midlands, with travel outside these areas occasionally)

Salary Band:  £26,000 to £27,000 FTE (pro rata for part-time hours)

Job Type: Part-time (3 to 4 days per week), with flexibility required for regular evening / overnight stays and weekend work

Reports To: Head of Dog Supply & Canine Support Services

Medical Detection Dogs trains dogs to save lives.

We train specialist dogs to detect the odour of human disease, providing life-saving alert assistance dogs to people with complex health problems across the UK and collaborating with NHS Trusts and other researchers and Universities both in the UK and internationally to advance the early diagnosis of disease.

We have an exciting new opportunity to join this small but fast-growing charity that is a world leader in its specialist, innovative field.

We are looking for someone with the skills, experience and passion to join our Canine Services Department, and to be responsible for the recruitment, training and development of dog supply volunteers.

Responsibilities of the Role:

Recruitment of Volunteers (puppy socialisers, holiday cover, and fosterers)

• To liaise with volunteering team regarding current recruitment areas and support on the ground recruitment activities in the relevant regions, involving volunteers and dogs where appropriate
• To manage the process of dog volunteer recruitment
• To oversee that necessary checks have been completed to assess prospective new dog volunteers, including home, workplace, pet dog and children assessments, when required
• Inform stakeholders when a dog volunteer is signed off and ready to have an MDD living with them
• Achieve monthly targets as set by the Head of Dog Supply and Canine Services

Training of Volunteers:

• Deliver effective training by organising dog handling classes before volunteers receive their Medical Detection Dog
• Oversee the online training pathway for all dog volunteers
• Ensure all dog volunteers have received and read the training manual, addressing any questions they may have
• Be the first point of contact for all dog volunteers during the application and training process
• Link volunteers with appropriate buddies prior to placement of a puppy/dog

Other:

• To manage the Puppy Socialisers Facebook page, delivering key training messages via this platform.
• Update the Harlequin CRM and Assemble database promptly to maintain accurate and up to date records of all dog volunteers, e.g. what training they have received etc.
• Support the Dog Training and Partnership Instructor in matching and allocating dog volunteers with MDD puppies
• Support the charity’s fundraising, communications and volunteering teams as required, specifically in relation to your area
• Share best practice with colleagues across the charity
• Other tasks or ad hoc duties agreed with your line manager to ensure the successful running of the charity

Person Specification

Essential

• Experience in planning and coordinating volunteer recruitment events and recruiting volunteers
• Previous experience delivering training sessions
• Strong ability to communicate clearly and confidently with a range of audiences
• Confidence in using social media to promote volunteer recruitment
• Basic knowledge of GDPR
• Ability to deliver volunteer training, including assessing individual learning styles and adapting approaches while following structured programmes
• Strong teaching and instructional skills
• Ability to plan, prioritise and organise workload effectively for self and others
• Ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with a wide range of stakeholders, including clients and their families, volunteers, professional partners, members of the public, media, managers and colleagues
• High level of IT literacy and report writing skills, including Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Desirable

• Understanding of training assistance dogs
• Minimum 1-2 years’ experience in dog training
• Basic understanding of practical dog training theories
• Knowledge of laws related to dogs
• Understanding of dog and human psychology
• Awareness of health and safety implications in dog and volunteer handling
• Understanding of ADUK and ADI regulations

Finally, the successful candidate will also be expected to:

• Hold a full UK Driving Licence
• Provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the UK
• Undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
• Work some evenings and weekends with the possibility of spending nights away

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Medical Detection Dogs, please do not hesitate to apply.

We are a welcoming, diverse and inclusive charity. Medical Detection Dogs thrives when everyone feels comfortable bringing their best self to work. We celebrate difference, whilst striving to create an environment where colleagues feel respected and valued for their unique potential. We are committed to our values on equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Southern Dog Volunteer Recruitment Officer

Location: Based at Medical Detection Dogs centre, supporting central & southern regions

Salary Band:  £26,000 to £27,000 FTE (pro rata for part-time hours)

Job Type: Part-time (3 to 4 days per week), with flexibility required for regular evening / overnight stays and weekend work

Reports To: Head of Dog Supply & Canine Support Services

Medical Detection Dogs trains dogs to save lives.

We train specialist dogs to detect the odour of human disease, providing life-saving alert assistance dogs to people with complex health problems across the UK and collaborating with NHS Trusts and other researchers and Universities both in the UK and internationally to advance the early diagnosis of disease.

We have an exciting new opportunity to join this small but fast-growing charity that is a world leader in its specialist, innovative field.

We are looking for someone with the skills, experience and passion to join our Canine Services Department, and to be responsible for the recruitment, training and development of dog supply volunteers.

Responsibilities of the Role:

Recruitment of Volunteers (puppy socialisers, holiday cover, and fosterers)

• To liaise with volunteering team regarding current recruitment areas and support on the ground recruitment activities in the relevant regions, involving volunteers and dogs where appropriate
• To manage the process of dog volunteer recruitment
• To oversee that necessary checks have been completed to assess prospective new dog volunteers, including home, workplace, pet dog and children assessments, when required
• Inform stakeholders when a dog volunteer is signed off and ready to have an MDD living with them
• Achieve monthly targets as set by the Head of Dog Supply and Canine Services

Training of Volunteers:

• Deliver effective training by organising dog handling classes before volunteers receive their Medical Detection Dog
• Oversee the online training pathway for all dog volunteers
• Ensure all dog volunteers have received and read the training manual, addressing any questions they may have
• Be the first point of contact for all dog volunteers during the application and training process
• Link volunteers with appropriate buddies prior to placement of a puppy/dog

Other:

• To manage the Puppy Socialisers Facebook page, delivering key training messages via this platform.
• Update the Harlequin CRM and Assemble database promptly to maintain accurate and up to date records of all dog volunteers, e.g. what training they have received etc.
• Support the Dog Training and Partnership Instructor in matching and allocating dog volunteers with MDD puppies
• Support the charity’s fundraising, communications and volunteering teams as required, specifically in relation to your area
• Share best practice with colleagues across the charity
• Other tasks or ad hoc duties agreed with your line manager to ensure the successful running of the charity

Person Specification

Essential

• Experience in planning and coordinating volunteer recruitment events and recruiting volunteers
• Previous experience delivering training sessions
• Strong ability to communicate clearly and confidently with a range of audiences
• Confidence in using social media to promote volunteer recruitment
• Basic knowledge of GDPR
• Ability to deliver volunteer training, including assessing individual learning styles and adapting approaches while following structured programmes
• Strong teaching and instructional skills
• Ability to plan, prioritise and organise workload effectively for self and others
• Ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with a wide range of stakeholders, including clients and their families, volunteers, professional partners, members of the public, media, managers and colleagues
• High level of IT literacy and report writing skills, including Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Desirable

• Understanding of training assistance dogs
• Minimum 1-2 years’ experience in dog training
• Basic understanding of practical dog training theories
• Knowledge of laws related to dogs
• Understanding of dog and human psychology
• Awareness of health and safety implications in dog and volunteer handling
• Understanding of ADUK and ADI regulations

Finally, the successful candidate will also be expected to:

• Hold a full UK Driving Licence
• Provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the UK
• Undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
• Work some evenings and weekends with the possibility of spending nights away

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Medical Detection Dogs, please do not hesitate to apply.

We are a welcoming, diverse and inclusive charity. Medical Detection Dogs thrives when everyone feels comfortable bringing their best self to work. We celebrate difference, whilst striving to create an environment where colleagues feel respected and valued for their unique potential. We are committed to our values on equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Exercise and Socialise is a programme of weekly exercise sessions specially designed for different needs, abilities and interests, but all aimed at the frail and unconfident.

For the financial year 2026/27 we have funding to provide 30 classes across the 5 neighbourhoods in Lambeth, maximising coverage and giving space to local needs.

The primary focus is on improving physical health and confidence and getting people active again and increasing their resilience. But it also has secondary aims of decreasing isolation and improving people's mental health.

Specific Duties

1. To assess referrals that come in and assess their eligibility. Help them choose a suitable class based on their ability.
2. Responsible for sourcing accessible venues.
3. Setting up the groups and engaging paid instructors.
4. To provide regular monitoring and impact reports for our funders, using both qualitative and quantitative data to demonstrate how the support has benefited participants.
5. To regularly monitor the KPIs and outcomes set by funders, ensuring the project remains on track to achieve targets and identifying any areas requiring additional support or improvement.
6. To deliver a diverse mix of exercise groups, including chair yoga, seated aerobics, Tai Chi, and seated jive. Offer low-impact sports like table tennis and weight training, and introduce targeted activities specifically designed to overcome the challenge of engaging older men.
7. To promote the groups at meetings and support our comms team to promote the service.
8. To create referral pathways for health professionals, Social Prescribers Link Workers, Neighbourhood Wellbeing Workers, etc.

General Duties

1. Work closely with the Head of Commercial Services and Volunteering.
2. Develop and maintain links with Public Health and the Community Rehab and Falls team.
3. To recruit tutors/instructors who have adequate qualifications and insurance.
4. To make sure relevant information/registers are collected and put on our Podio system.
5. To have relevant information about clubs, groups and MYSocial so that when the course ends, people have the confidence and fitness to join other exercise/activities.
6. Carry out a wellbeing assessment (via the Outcome Star) and monitor at the beginning and at the end of the course to monitor impact on mobility and wellbeing at the end of the course and record and report findings on Podio.
7. Manage budgets and resources.

List some of the key achievements/developments that you would expect a new jobholder to have
completed in the first six months in the role

● To have completed all key training courses relevant to the role and to working at Age UK Lambeth
● Analyse the current service versus the new funding requirements and make adjustments to the system and reporting
● Meet with all the trainers
● Connect with all venues and their contacts
● Set up the shelter scheme exercise classes
● Set up the Awards for All exercise classes

Please note the contract length and salary:

Fixed-term contract of:
● 31.5 hours until March 31st 2027.
● Due to funding, the hours will be reduced to 14 hours (2 days a week) from April 1st 2027 to March 31st 2028.

Salary of:

£27,595 per annum for 35 hours
● Pro-rata: 31.5 hours until 31/03/2027 at £24,835, reducing to 14 hours at £11,038 from 01/06/27 to 31/03/28.