Family support team leader jobs
PCS is a union with an organising culture. Our approach is about building union power. Industrial officers will be given opportunities to work in, and develop expertise in, all aspects of the role including bargaining, organising, campaigning, equality, education and learning.
PCS has a number of permanent vacancies at various PCS locations: offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Clapham (London), Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool and Newcastle. Successful candidates will work collaboratively across the union, to deliver effectively for our members and contribute to the unions continued success.
Salary and Location
- London/Regional
- Band 4, London Spine points 27- 23
- London Starting salary: £51,759 p.a. rising to £58,877 p.a. in annual increments
- Regional Spine points 30-26
- Regional Starting salary: £47,844 p.a. rising to £54,027 p.a. in annual increments
Successful candidates for the Industrial Officer role will be able to demonstrate:
- Methods and techniques for bargaining, campaigning and organising
- Basic knowledge of employment rights, equality legislation discrimination law and working practices
- Understanding of the political processes in the UK and the role and work of trade unions
- Project Management (e.g. Campaigning)
- Impact and use of Digital and IT applications in a trade union
- Evidence of ongoing training and continuing professional development
The main duties of the Industrial Officer role include:
- Encouraging participation and recruitment of new members, particularly of under-represented groups
- Co-ordinating and working with committees
- Industrial relations and negotiations
- Advocacy and representation
The ability to organise own work, identify and set priorities as well as communicate effectively using written and oral channels, including reports and presentations, with a variety of audiences are all essential.
Candidates will be informed after the interview whether they are appointable. The General Secretary will have ultimate responsibility of allocating roles to the successful candidates, with decisions being notified on filling any vacancies in due course.
Closing date: at 12 midday on Monday 26 January 2026.
Interviews will be held in person at PCS Clapham: Monday 9 February 2026 and Tuesday 10 February 2026.
About PCS
PCS is the Public and Commercial Services Union, representing many thousands of members working in the civil service and related areas.
Employer Benefits
You will have access to a generous package of staff benefits including
- flexible working (including hybrid working)
- childcare and family support
- generous maternity/paternity leave
- 32 days leave and Christmas closure
- pension scheme
- employee assistance programme
Learning and Development
The union offers a wide range of learning and development opportunities. We will work with you to support your continued professional development.
PCS Recruiting Process
We use CVMinder to manage all recruitment activities. It helps us to maintain our commitment to equality and diversity by ensuring that we are fair and compliant with our recruiting practices.
Applications must be received by the closing date and time specified.
Candidates invited for interview are required to make themselves available on the date/s specified. Interview dates cannot be changed to accommodate candidates who are unavailable to attend on the specified date.
- CVs will not be accepted. Please see the job description/person specification and follow the application process.
- PCS is working towards equal opportunities and is positive about disabled people.
- All posts can be considered on a full-time, part-time or job share basis.
Please view our guidance for applicants.
JOB DESCRIPTION: INDUSTRIAL OFFICER
Ref: 0126
Grade: Band 4, London or Region
Salary:
London Spine points 27-23
London starting salary £51,759 p.a. rising to £58,877 p.a.
Regional Spine points 30-26
Regional starting salary £47,844 p.a. rising to £54,027 p.a.
Location: London/Region
Purpose of the job:
To identify and maximise the potential for union growth, influence success by developing and promoting the unions bargaining, campaigning, equality and organising agenda, encouraging membership participation and support in allocated areas of responsibility, in line with PCS policy.
Responsible to: National Officer
Responsible for: Not applicable
Contacts
External:
Media, PCS members, senior and elected officials, employers, potential members. Members of other trade unions and related bodies. Ministers, Members of UK government, Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Government, Northern Ireland Assembly, and other governmental staff. Legal representatives, pressure groups, campaigning and community bodies.
Internal:
PCS Staff, Departments, Regions and Nations and Senior Managers.
Main duties and responsibilities
This is a generic job description that covers all the different roles of an industrial officer.
1. Bargaining
- Develop a bargaining agenda with activists and members, ensuring all bargaining activities are informed by the PCS equality agenda, policies and practices
- Take responsibility for negotiations with the management of civil service departments, agencies, public and private sector employers including pay and conditions of service of PCS members
- Represent PCS at joint meetings with management and other trade unions
- Prepare and present reports, and undertake effective monitoring and implementation of decisions, including consultative and legal ballots e.g. on pay and industrial action
- Participate in appropriate branch, group and national events to share information and knowledge
2. Campaigning
- Develop and maintain knowledge of campaigning, monitoring trends, establishing and maintaining contacts and attending appropriate internal and external meetings and events
- Progress national campaigning objectives as agreed by Annual Delegate Conference, Region/Nation and Group conferences and the National Executive Committee, providing strategic and technical advice to inform campaigning decisions
- Identify and work with full time officers, reps, other trade unions and campaigning organisations to develop and promote PCS campaigning objectives to key audiences
- Co-ordinate and draft, in liaison with the PCS design team where relevant, campaigning materials, briefing, etc. for a range of audiences in support of PCS campaigning objectives
- Deal with the media in relation to specific campaigns
3. Equality
- Identify and prioritise issues and trends in equality practice and develop responses in line with PCS policies
- Keep up to date with developments in equality practice and equality legislation in Britain and Europe
- Provide advice on equality practice and the Equality Act 2010 and on the handling of personal cases
- Produce guidance to support negotiations
- Contribute to PCS Academy courses on equality issues
- Support the PCS equality forums and networks either nationally or in region/nation
- Organise meetings, seminars and events to promote understanding of equality issues
4. Organising
- In line with the PCS National Organising Strategy, develop and support lay structures and build membership density in areas of responsibility
- Encourage activist and member participation in union activities
- Develop links between Groups/National Branches/Sections at local, regional and national level and with appropriate external organisations
- Identify and win collective bargaining rights in new areas
- Supporting strategies to recruit new members, build PCS locals and facilitate cooperation across branches
- Assist in building and embedding an organising culture across the union
5. Developing effective communications and enhancing membership participation
- Ensure digitalisation, information and communications methods are effectively implemented and used to generate improvements
- Ensure effective communication networks with members are in place in areas of responsibility
- Promote and undertake face-to-face communication, where appropriate, in the workplace
- Understand and make effective use of PCS specialist resources, communication channels and technology
- Enhance activist and member understanding in order to encourage wide participation in decision-making processes e.g. PCS ballots, elections and members meetings, and in other union activities and campaigns
- Establish and maintain contacts across the union, and with employers and external bodies e.g. including MPs, media, other unions, and various campaigning and pressure groups
- Draft and publish circulars and briefings, address meetings and conferences
- Develop and maintain the relevant pages on the PCS website
- Sub-edit, re-write, copy, and proof read printed and electronic communications
6. Ensuring implementation of equality policies/improving representation
- Contribute to PCS policies on equality by developing innovative strategies to tackle inequality and discrimination, on the grounds of protected characteristics
- Build a membership and activist base that reflects the diversity of the area of responsibility by developing innovative strategies to tackle inequality and discrimination
- Engage with employers on the equality bargaining agenda
- Equality-proof employer policy and practices
- Equality-check PCS structures, policies and practices
- Develop strategies to increase membership density and participation at all levels and areas of union activity amongst under-represented groups to reflect the make-up of the workforce and to remove all barriers to equality
- Promote awareness of the importance of diversity and equality measures among members and activists and with the employer
- Participate and encourage participation in equality forums and events
7. Supporting and developing lay structures and representatives
- Develop and implement strategies to identify and support new leaders and representatives
- Build effective teams which share responsibility for tasks and decisions
- Ensure that lay structures are effective and comply with PCS Rules
- Build an activist base which reflects the diversity of the membership
- Secure appropriate facilities from employers in line with best practice
- Ensure areas of responsibility are kept up-to-date with relevant policies e.g. government, academic, etc.
- Provide guidance and explain the unions structures and policies e.g. on roles and responsibilities
- Ensure structures within areas of responsibility are provided with all the necessary administrative support
8. Promoting learning and development
- Encourage, educate and support members into activism and into elected roles within the union
- Identify and address activists training needs
- Promote learning in the workplace through negotiated agreements with employers and relevant bodies
- Develop and deliver courses and learning materials
9. Team working
- Proactively promote team and collaborative working across PCS departments
- Initiate, organise, lead and participate in team meetings as appropriate
- Maintain high levels of confidentiality of sensitive issues at all times
- Provide assistance to team members
10. General
- Participate and input information into PCS planning and budgeting processes
- At all times implement and promote the PCSs Equal Opportunities Policy adhering to the PCS Values
- Take due and reasonable care of self and others in respect of Health & Safety at Work
- Participate in appraisal, training and development systems
- In all work activities, comply with data protection legislation and PCSs requirements for the protection of personal information and the privacy of individuals
- Act in a manner that enhances the work of the PCS and its overall public image
- Staff at this grade may be assigned or transferred to posts within grade. A training & development programme will be provided to assist with this, where required
- Such other duties that may reasonably be requested by the Line Manager and that are within the level of the responsibility of this post
- Willing to work outside normal office hours and location
Person Specification: INDUSTRIAL OFFICER
Ref: 0126
Date: January 2026
Location: London/Region
ESSENTIAL FACTORS
EXPERIENCE
- Encouraging participation and recruitment of new members, particularly of under-represented groups
- Co-ordinating and working with committees
- Industrial relations and negotiations
- Advocacy and representation
- Project Management (e.g. Campaigning)
TRAINING
(including continuous professional development)
- Evidence of ongoing training and continuing professional development
- Commitment to participation in appraisal and development review process
- Commitment to undertake job-related training
KNOWLEDGE
- Understanding of the political processes in the UK and the role and work of trade unions
- Basic knowledge of employment rights, equality legislation discrimination law and working practices
- Methods and techniques for bargaining, campaigning and organising
- Impact and use of Digital and IT applications in a trade union
SKILLS
- Ability to organise own work
- Ability to communicate effectively using written and oral channels, including reports and presentations, with a variety of audiences
- Ability to identify and set priorities
- Ability to build and co-ordinate teams and networks
- Ability to identify, research, analyse and present evidence, including statistics
OTHER
- Commitment to the application of Equal Opportunities policies and practices at work
- Understanding of own role in maintaining legal compliances within PCS (e.g. data protection; health and safety)
- Flexible approach to work and willing to work outside of normal office hours and location on occasions
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 innovative charity that is a world-leader in its specialist field.
JOB TITLE:Regional Assistance Dog Instructor Scotland
LOCATION:Scotland (Central belt, between Glasgow and Edinburgh)
SALARY:£24K - £29K per annum, depending on experience
JOB TYPE: Part time and full time hours considered, with occasional evening and weekend work required
REPORTS TO: Instructor Manager
The Job
We are looking for a passionate and driven person who ideally has previous experience and skills working as an Instructor within an Assistance Dog organisation, who has worked with clients and partnerships. The role includes supporting both clients who have had a MDD dog placed with them and also our own dog applicants with their puppies and young dogs to ensure they receive the highest standard of socialisation and early training in terms of obedience, public access and developing an alert to the applicant’s condition, with the aim to reach an accreditable assistance dog partnership status. It is also will include carrying out client specific and odour training for MDD own dogs, placing these dogs with their new clients and looking after a number of established partnerships. This role would suit somebody residing in the central belt of Scotland, between Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Duties that encompass the role of an Instructor include:
- Be the first point of contact for the allocated partnerships in your area, covering all areas of Scotland. To provide guidance and instruction to applicants who have applied to the charity to have their own dogs considered for the training programme guidance and instruction on handling, behaviour and obedience and odour training as well as newly placed partnerships.
- Alongside the Instructing team, to run puppy classes, public access training, recall sessions in small groups for applicant own dogs that are in line with the charity’s quality standards and in accordance with timescales and targets.
- To also carry out support visits and home interviews for applicants and clients that have been allocated to you.
- Regularly monitor progress of the puppies and partnerships in training in your area and provide detailed, evidenced feedback to Instructor Manager and Head of Assistance Dog Programme.
- To carry out client specific training with any MDD owned dogs that have been matched, including the required odour scent training.
- Instructing, guiding and supporting new assistance dog clients in managing and handling a Medical Alert Assistance Dog effectively, via pre training, placement training and aftercare visits.
- Supporting partnerships in training in successfully reaching an accreditation standard and in maintaining this
- standard throughout the life of the partnership.
- To support a number of established partnerships in the form of aftercare, refresher training and yearly re-accreditations, assisting further afield on occasions as required.
Responsibilities
- To escalate issues and problems to the Instructor Manager as appropriate.
- To assist the Dog Supply Team with carrying out scent assessments on any MDD dogs in socialising as and when required with the support of the Instructor Manager and rest of the Instructing Team.
- To plan, organise and deliver practical and theoretical training to clients, meeting their individual needs in line with agreed standards to include areas such as dog welfare, appropriate handling, commanding and overall management. This will involve working with the parents as Team Leader and child as Client and working with adult clients.
- Assess the team dynamics of the family & balancing the needs of all family members as well as those of the dog.
- Assess the individuals preferred learning style and amending as relevant to aid a client.
- To accompany the client into all regular environments that they will take the dog to, ensuring the dog behaves in an acceptable manner and that the client and others are aware and clear in terms of where they dog should reside and behave for eg public transport, place of work. To complete a check list of environments for any applicant own dogs in training who are on the programme to be assessed within.
- To support and advise clients in transferring the odour training from pot training and recognising alerting behaviours to establish real life alerting.
- To monitor the correct and false alerting percentages of allocated partnerships via data analysis, advising where necessary until the correct alerting levels are achieved.
- To complete comprehensive reports and paperwork for any time spent with applicants or partnerships in training or established. Maintain accurate records by providing verbal and written information with agreed timescales about clients, dogs, applicants and apprentices as appropriate.
- To work alongside allocated partnerships with the aim of the partnership reaching an accredited standard and feeding back to the Instructor Manager and Assistance Dog Programme Manager if there are any concerns that the accreditation cannot be achieved.
- To provide clients with appropriate aftercare services at regular intervals in their own homes in the form of annual visits, support visits or at refresher workshops run at the Centre to agreed standards. This will include continual re-assessment of the dynamics of family and dog, formulating and training on appropriate solutions, as well as offering additional dog training advice.
- To deliver handling days as part of an applicant’s pre training to include ‘Introduction to Assistance Dog’ ‘Advanced Handling’ and Family Handling.
- To scent train and seizure proof advanced dogs in preparation to be partnered with an adult or child client and ensure that applicant own dogs have received this at the earliest opportunity.
- To maintain the ongoing public access training with any advanced dog in scent training that has been allocated to them.
- To provide local support to the growing puppy socialisation scheme, based in and around Perth.
- To provide support to the Charity’s public relations and fundraising functions as required, specifically in your area.
- To act as the ‘contact’ person for the assistance dog programme in relation to training policy procedures with clients and their families, other professional service providers and members of the public. This will include on-going research and development of the project.
- To liaise with and provide support for Volunteers who may operate as part of the aftercare programme provided by the charity.
- To ensure all partnerships are in line with the ADUK regulations with regards to behaviour, obedience and welfare and branding.
- Due to the nature of the role, flexible working hours may be required in some instances to facilitate the effective delivery of the work e.g. working during the school holidays with school age clients.
Other
- Share best practice with colleagues across the charity.
- Any other duties or tasks that are required to ensure the successful running of the Medical Alert Assistance Dog Department and the Charity overall.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- High level of preparation, organisational and co-ordination skills
- Strong and clear teaching and instructing skills
- Experience of running puppy classes and carrying out public access training and recall sessions
- High level of self – motivation and planning
- Approachable, calm and empathetic to children and adults with debilitating and life threatening conditions
- Happy to travel alone within the UK to visit any clients as necessary.
- Happy to be on call at all times for partnerships as and when required.
- Happy to stay away from home and stay in local hotel when the client’s location is too far from your home to travel back.
- Happy and able to have Medical Alert Assistance Dogs in training to reside in their home.
- Good team worker, but equally able to work alone.
- Positive, empathetic and calm attitude
- Able to embrace a constantly evolving organisation
- Flexible
KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Previous Assistance Dog Instructing or Dog Training with puppy socialisers experience
- Knowledge of AD(UK) and ADI regulations
- Law in relation to dogs.
- Knowledge of medical conditions relevant to puppies between 8 weeks and 2 years of age.
- Dog and human psychology.
- Proven evidence and experience of dog handling and training skills
- Previous experience of teaching and instructing
- Sound dog training and dog behaviour knowledge
- IT literacy and report writing skills
- Experience of using Microsoft based programs such as Outlook, Word,
- Excel, Internet Explorer and Power Point, teams, zoom and Microsoft
- Share point for data etc
- Full UK driving licence
- Pass a DBS (CRB) check due to regular contact with children
Preferable
- Knowledge of debilitating medical conditions and understanding of how they can impact people, both physically and psychologically, particularly when they are unstable and fluctuating.
- Previous knowledge of odour/scent training.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- High level of preparation, organisational and co-ordination skills
- Strong and clear teaching and instructing skills
- High level of self – motivation and planning
- Approachable, calm and empathetic to children and adults with debilitating and life threatening conditions
- Happy to travel alone within the UK to visit any clients as necessary.
- Happy to be on call at all times for partnerships as and when required – to include outside standard working hours.
- Able and willing to stay away from home and stay in local hotel when the client’s location is too far from the Centre to travel back.
- If able, possibility of having Medical Alert Assistance Dogs in training to reside in their home through the 6 – 8 week training phase.
- Good team worker, but equally able to work alone.
- Positive, empathetic and calm attitude
- Able to embrace a constantly evolving organisation
- You should be supportive of the charitable aims of Medical Detection Dogs and capable of working as part of a team, as well as able to motivate yourself.
- You should be adaptable and positively embrace change by not only being flexible towards the ideas of others but also putting forward ideas to colleagues. This will involve creativity in problem solving and making appropriate responses to new ideas and unexpected situations.
DIVERITY, EQUALITY & INCLUSION
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.
Values & Behaviours
Working at Medical Detection Dogs will be a richly rewarding experience.
Our Values & Behaviours encapsulate who we are, what we stand for and what it will feel like to be part of our team:
- We are respectful.
- We stay positive.
- We strive for excellence.
- We communicate and listen.
- We are ambassadors.
- We are one team.
And of course, we advocate for Medical Detection Dogs whenever we get the chance, and we pride ourselves on our role as ambassadors for the charity.
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
- Be willing to travel to the Centre based near Milton Keynes
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Contract: Permanent, full time
Salary: £28,481 to £33,118 per annum
Location: Radcliffe, M26 1NQ
Closing date: Sunday 18th January 2026
Interview dates: TBC
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.
This is an exciting time for the Manchester Centre with many changes happening and the chance for a dynamic leader to bring their own experience and help shape the future of the centre, for the pets and clients we help through our site, as well as the Manchester team.
More about the role
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 am – 5:00 pm, Monday – Friday, working 1 in 3 weekends (Sat and Sun), with flexibility where there is a business need.
Want to know more detail? Great! We have attached a candidate pack and job description which hopefully gives you everything you 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. You’ll bring strong people management skills – able to set direction, take action and empower others to deliver improvements.
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 our Blue Cross values.
- Current full driving licence.
How to apply
Click the apply button below and complete the online application process before the closing date on Sunday 18th January 2026.
The process will include:
- First stage interview and site tour
- Online Discovery Session. This will include scenario-based exercises and group discussions, giving you the chance 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. 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:
- Pro rata 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
We believe in a world where all pets enjoy a healthy and happy life with people who love them



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Full time (flexible working options available)
Homebased – London Area - The ideal candidate must be based in the London area.
Closing Date: 16 January 2026
Ref 7173
Save the Children UK has an exciting opportunity for a collaborative and innovative retail leader with extensive multi-site retail management experience to join us as our Retail Business Manager – London, where you will lead a portfolio of shops through major change projects and play a key role in delivering our evolving retail strategy.
If you're a seasoned retail leader who combines emotional intelligence with strong commercial acumen to achieve outstanding results, this opportunity with Save the Children Retail could be the perfect next step in your career.
We're seeking someone who values both brand identity and individuality, while demonstrating strong operational expertise.
The ideal candidate must be based in the London area.
About Us
Save the Children UK believes every child deserves a future. In the UK and around the world, we work every day to give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. When crisis strikes, and children are most vulnerable, we are always among the first to respond and the last to leave. We ensure children's unique needs are met and their voices are heard. We deliver lasting results for millions of children, including those hardest to reach.
About the Role
The Retail Business Manager – London offers an exciting opportunity to be at the heart of Save the Children Retail's evolution, playing a pivotal role in leading change, inspiring teams, and bringing our culture and vision to life.
This role will be vital in providing clarity and direction with regards to how we operate (see our How Our Shops Operate document attached), guiding and engaging shop teams to drive the business to optimum operational success, as well as harnessing commerciality and embracing localism in line with each shop's proposition.
Our shops exist to provide a beautiful shopping experience for all the community. They are each unique within our family of propositions but are united in creating an energy and atmosphere, with positivity and kindness, and providing a welcoming diverse environment.
The current shops you'll manage include Barnes, Bermondsey, Blackheath, Chiswick, Clapham, Ealing Green, East Dulwich, Islington, Kew, Primrose Hill, & Teddington, but please note that these shops/locations will change as the business evolves. Therefore, the ideal candidate must be based in the London area.
About You
Essential skills & experience:
• Significant experience in a multi-site retail management role.
• Excellent people leadership skills with the ability to inspire, coach and develop geographically dispersed teams.
• Experienced in driving and delivering change management including refits, new shop launches or similar retail development projects.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to use insight and data to drive performance.
• Confidence working collaboratively and cross-functionally in a dynamic environment.
• Entrepreneurial and driven by results with the ability to recognise and prioritise opportunities with the greatest potential.
• A full, clean UK driving licence and willingness to travel regularly across London.
This role provides an opportunity for someone with relevant experience in a similar role, looking for a fresh challenge and the chance to hone and utilise their skills to make a positive impact.
Closing date: Friday 16th January 2026
Please note: To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications are received. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels whilst maintaining a positive candidate experience. Unfortunately once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications.
Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:
Save the Children UK believes in a world that is fair, inclusive and equitable where all children have the opportunity to change their world. We apply this to our workforce and we are committed to developing and supporting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organisation where all employees have a sense of belonging and feel that they can be "Free to Be Me". We are not looking for just one type of person - we want to recruit people who can add fresh perspectives, innovative ideas or challenge that disrupts the risk of group think.
We are especially interested in people whose childhood experiences - of life on a low income, of migration, of being in a racialised community, of the care system, of being LGBT+ or in an LGBT+ family or living with (or with someone with) a disability - help us to see things we might otherwise miss. Whatever your story is we want to hear it because we know that different voices, ideas, perspectives and knowledge, working together will enable us to better the lives of children around the world. This is the reason why we are all here.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Interviews will be held the w/c 9th February
Come and join us
We’re looking for passionate individuals with personal experience of homelessness, bad housing, which may include other related disadvantages such as substance misuse and mental ill-health; to come and join us and make a difference to the way we do things. If you believe that people should have a say in their own support and that they should be at the front of making meaningful change then this could be the traineeship for you.
About the role
This is a great opportunity to work with a lead provider of homelessness and housing advice and support and gain invaluable experience while being part of an exciting employability programme centred on lived experience. The traineeship lasts up to 12 months, and you will receive personalised training and support to help remove some of the barriers that may have prevented you from getting meaningful employment.
This role will work alongside our community services support teams, based in Weymouth. The main purpose of this will be to learn support skills and how to use your lived experience to actively engage with people recovering from homelessness. To do this you will work alongside members of the support team. You will be supported and guided by the services team leader and senior support worker. A key part of the role will be to support people as they move further into independent living, encouraging them to into learning, social activities and personal development.
You'll support local campaigns and strengthen connections between the lived experience involvement group and the Hub, making sure lived experiences are valued and included.
Role specifics
We are looking for people who are passionate about the opportunity to use their own life experiences to help make positive change for others.
You’ll also need a commitment to equality and a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination and exclusion.
Good communication skills and the ability to make people feel heard will also be essential.
Basic computer skills, e.g. word processing, the internet and email would be useful, but support can be provided.
Above all, we need people with a real desire to develop personally and learn new skills.
Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.
We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.
About the team
The team in Dorset is well-established and has been providing housing advice and support services within Dorset for over 20 years. With office bases in Bournemouth and Weymouth, we have contracts to deliver Housing First support in the Dorset Council area and offer Legal Aid Advice, including a court desk service at Bournemouth and Weymouth County Courts.
We are active in our communities and strive to understand what housing issues people are experiencing, providing advice and advocacy to individuals and groups to empower them to resolve their situation.
We work across Dorset with partner agencies including Julian House, Lantern, Dorset Council and drug and alcohol services to support individuals to access housing and support and prevent repeat homelessness.
How to Apply
Email and phone number details can be found on the Shelter advert found by clicking 'Redirect to Recruiter' on this page.
To apply you need to submit a copy of your CV and a completed application form (attached), this can be submitted either online, by email or you can submit a paper copy to the Shelter Weymouth, Lynch Lane Offices, Weymouth DT4 9DW. Please don’t worry if your CV has gaps or limited work experience, this is not a problem.
When completing your application form please make sure you give an example for each of the criteria listed in ‘About You’ section. If you need support to create a CV, please contact Katie by phone or send her an email.
We will be holding support sessions at our hub in Dorset and online to give people practical support and advice on how to complete an application, or to pick up a paper application. These sessions will also give you the chance to find out more about the role as well as other opportunities at Shelter Dorset. These will take place on the following date:
Friday 23rd January, 13:30 – 15:30 at Shelter, Lynch Lane Offices & Wellbeing Centre, Lynch Lane, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 9DN
Monday 26th January, 13:30 – 15:30 Via Microsoft Teams: Join the meeting now , Meeting ID: 340 436 596 662 97, Passcode: hJ64fX2N
We operate Fair Chance Recruitment practices and will not ask for any information about convictions during the application process. This role is subject to a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. We are open to and inclusive of applicants with criminal convictions for this role; having a criminal conviction will not prevent us from considering you.
Following the interview stage, we will ask our preferred applicant to disclose any past unspent convictions. The information disclosed will be considered by a panel and a decision will be taken about making an offer.
This role is ring-fenced for those with lived experience of multiple disadvantage.
About Shelter
Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.
We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.
We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.
Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.
Safeguarding statement
Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.
Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Foodbank Manager
We are delighted to be working in partnership with Vineyard Community & Richmond Foodbank, a Christian charity in Richmond that is committed to helping people through tough times and giving them the chance to thrive. Whether someone’s facing homelessness, food poverty, escaping abuse, or battling mental health challenges, Vineyard Community & Richmond Foordbank (VC&RFB) is there with care and support. In our busy world, it’s easy to miss those struggling around us, but at VC&RFB, they take the time to listen, connect, and see the person behind the story. By offering kindness and hope, they’re helping people rebuild their dreams and find a brighter future. Together, they are inspiring change and restoring hope.
VC&RFB is seeking a compassionate and strategic Foodbank Manager to lead their Foodbank provision across multiple sites. This is a significant role at the heart of their mission, often serving as the first point of contact for individuals and families at their most vulnerable moments. You'll be responsible for ensuring high-quality delivery, warm relational support, strong volunteer leadership, and a consistent, dignifying experience for every guest.
In this pivotal role, you'll provide leadership and supervision for the Assistant Foodbank Manager, Satellite Foodbank Leaders and volunteer teams, ensuring consistent high-quality standards across all sites. Working closely with the Operations Manager and wider team, you'll oversee all aspects of Foodbank operations including guest provision, volunteer coordination, data management through the Trussell Data Collection System, and product storage across multiple sites. You'll maintain strong relationships with referral partners, churches, schools, businesses and community groups, representing the Foodbank as a positive ambassador for the charity.
A particularly exciting aspect of this role is leading the development, setup and launch of VC&RFB's new Community Essentials Hub. This important initiative will expand the "Hope for Life" aspect of the mission, offering guests access to low-cost food and essentials provision, wider support, and opportunities to participate, volunteer and contribute. You'll help shape this new model, establish operational systems, develop partnerships with organisations such as 'Your Local Pantry', and create opportunities for former guests to be part of the running of the service.
The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate:
- Excellent relationship-building skills with experience supervising staff and/or volunteers
- Strong organisational skills, with experience in organising or coordinating activities, rotas or service delivery
- Experience supporting people facing vulnerability, poverty, or crisis
- Some experience contributing to new or developing services
This is a unique opportunity for a practicing Christian to combine operational leadership with compassionate community support. You'll help nurture an environment of hope, dignity, and stability at the heart of everything Vineyard Community does. Guests often share how transformative it is to feel genuinely seen, welcomed, and supported - to know they are not alone. As Foodbank Manager, you'll be instrumental in creating those moments of connection and care that can change lives.
This role is subject to a Enhanced DBS check, which will be carried out by the employer.
For an informal and confidential discussion about the role, please contact Nick Thomas, Recruitment Consultant, Charisma Charity Recruitment. Your application should be submitted through the Charisma website and include your CV and supporting statement.
We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion*, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law.
*In accordance with the Equality Act 2010, Part 1, Schedule 9, it is a genuine occupational requirement that the post holder is a practicing Christian.
Contract & Hours: Permanent. Part time - 30 hours per week
Location: The Vineyard Community Centre, Richmond on Thames
Closing date for applications: Wednesday 22nd January 2026
Charisma vetting interviews must be completed by close of play on 26th January 2026
Interviews with Vineyard Community & Richmond Foodbank: Week commencing 2nd February 2026
Are you passionate about helping young people build brighter futures?
Join Young Enterprise to shape the future of thousands of young people. As our Alumni Community Manager, you’ll build a vibrant, inclusive network where young voices lead, inspire, and drive real impact.
Who We Are
We’re Young Enterprise – a national charity with a bold mission: to give every young person the skills, confidence, and mindset to thrive in the changing world of work.
For over 60 years, we’ve empowered more than 7 million young people through hands-on enterprise and financial education programmes. Whether it’s launching a student business or learning how to manage money, we help young people develop key life skills like teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and resilience.
We’re a passionate, down-to-earth team of 90+ staff and 2,000+ volunteers who believe that every young person, regardless of background, deserves a fair start in life.
Why Join Us?
We think Young Enterprise is a great place to work—and we’re proud of our people-first culture. Here’s what you can expect:
- A friendly and supportive team where your voice is heard
- A strong commitment to diversity and inclusion—we want everyone to feel they belong
- Generous holiday allowance and flexible working
- Cycle-to-work scheme, life assurance, and NHS top-up plan
- Ongoing learning and mentoring opportunities
- A chance to directly impact the lives of young people every single day
About the Role
This is a role where you’ll really see the difference you make. As Alumni Community Manager, you’ll:
- Build a vibrant, inclusive network that keeps young people connected long after their YE experience
- Create pathways for alumni to grow, give back, and make an impact
- Champion Youth Voice, co-design opportunities with young people, and lead initiatives that inspire, engage, and energise the community
- Work across teams and with external partners to turn strategy into action and help shape the next generation
This is a varied, people-focused role with plenty of room for creativity, independence, and collaboration.
You’ll love this job if you are…
- passionate about shaping futures: Helping young people thrive and seeing real impact
- a champion of youth voice: Putting young people at the heart of decisions and strategy
- love building communities: Creating a vibrant, inclusive alumni network
- collaborative and driven: Working across teams and partners to make big ideas happen.
- a natural communicator: Representing YE, celebrating alumni, and elevating young voices nationally and globally.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the Alumni Community: Build a network that connects, inspires, and supports alumni at every stage.
- Champion Youth Voice: Give young people a real say in shaping programmes, strategy, and decisions.
- Build partnerships & represent YE: Collaborate with external organisations and showcase alumni achievements
- Drive engagement: Create mentoring, volunteering, and recognition opportunities
- Collaborate across teams: Work with colleagues to deliver a seamless, high-impact alumni experience
- Turn strategy into action: Translate the Alumni and Youth Voice Strategy into practical plans with clear milestones
- Celebrate impact and share insights: Showcase alumni stories, track outcomes, and provide insights to inform decision-making.
A few practical things
· This is a hybrid role, requiring you to work from a YE office (London or Oxford) at least 8 times per month
Keeping Young People Safe
At Young Enterprise, safeguarding is at the core of everything we do. We are committed to promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. All successful applicants will receive ongoing safeguarding training throughout their employment and be expected to uphold excellent safeguarding practice at all times.
How to Apply
If you’re ready to help shape the futures of young people, we want to hear from you!
Please send your CV and instead of a traditional cover letter, please send us a separate document answering the three questions below, up to 250 words per answer. Please note, applications without answers to the three questions will not be considered. Interviews will be held at our London Office or via Teams. Applications must be received by 23:30 on 14 January 2026. First round interviews earmarked for 22 January 2026.
1. Skills and Experience
Tell us about the skills and experience you would bring to this role. You may wish to include examples of community engagement, working with young people, partnership working, or project delivery.
2. Youth Voice and Co-design
Give an example of how you involved young people or other stakeholders in shaping a programme, project, or service. How did you ensure their ideas influenced decisions, and what difference did it make?
3. Collaboration
Describe a time when you worked with multiple colleagues, teams or partners to deliver a project or initiative. How did you build relationships, navigate challenges, and achieve meaningful results?
We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While these can be a helpful resource, we want to hear about your personal skills, experiences and insights that highlight your unique strengths and perspective in your own words.
Full details can be found in the Job Description.
At YE we are passionate and committed to keeping your data safe and secure. Full details can be found in the YE People’s Privacy Notice.
Join us – and help us give every young person the chance to thrive. Apply today!
We empower young people to discover, develop and celebrate their skills and potential.


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Closing Date: 11 January 2026
Ref 7228
Save the Children UK is looking for an individual with extensive senior legal, governance and risk leadership experience to join us as our General Counsel and Company Secretary. This is an exciting opportunity to work closely with our Board of Trustees, Chief Executive and leaders across SCUK, as well as partners across the global Save the Children Movement, to help drive impact for children.
About Us
Save the Children UK believes every child deserves a future. In the UK and around the world, we work every day to give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. When crisis strikes, and children are most vulnerable, we are always among the first to respond and the last to leave. We ensure children's unique needs are met and their voices are heard. We deliver lasting results for millions of children, including those hardest to reach.
About the role
As General Counsel and Company Secretary, you will play a pivotal role in guiding decisions that align with our mission and values, ensuring that SCUK operates with integrity, transparency and strong governance. You will lead our Legal, Enterprise Risk and Company Secretariat functions, oversee internal audit performance, and act as a trusted adviser to the CEO, Executive Leadership Team and Board. You will integrate legal, governance and risk-thinking into organisational decision-making, enabling innovation and impact while ensuring compliance and safeguarding the organisation's reputation and obligations.
In this role, you will:
• Provide strategic legal, regulatory and governance advice to the Board, CEO and senior leaders, ensuring decisions are informed, risk-aware and aligned with our organisational priorities.
• Lead and motivate the Legal, Enterprise Risk and Company Secretariat teams, setting strategic direction and fostering a high-performing, inclusive, values- and impact-driven culture.
• Serve as Company Secretary, ensuring robust governance, effective Board and Committee management, and compliance with company law, Charity Commission requirements and the Charity Governance Code.
• Oversee SCUK's enterprise risk management and internal audit functions, acting as Executive Sponsor for Global Assurance and ensuring effective risk, audit and compliance frameworks are in place.
• Support organisational transformation and innovation, including new financial models, subsidiaries, and partnerships, while ensuring SCUK remains compliant, ethical and child-rights focused.
About you
You'll be an English qualified lawyer with broad experience across a range of areas, including some or all of charity and fundraising laws, corporate governance, commercial contracts, intellectual property, IT and corporate law.
Ideally, you'll bring experience in an in-house legal role (including in a charity context) with some experience of working in international contexts.
To be successful, it is important that you have:
• Senior experience in a challenging role, including managing a team and working with senior executives and trustees.
• Good understanding of the context in which Save the Children works. Experience and understanding of human rights law, child-rights based law and/or laws relating to sexual offences is desirable but not essential.
• Strong strategic, analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to navigate complexity, influence at senior levels and provide clear, solution-focused advice.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to explain complex legal issues in accessible ways and negotiate effectively.
• A high level of integrity, ethical judgement and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, and to fostering a culture of accountability and learning.
• Commitment to Save the Children's vision, mission and values.
What we offer you:
Working for a charity provides one of the best benefits there is – a sense of purpose and reward for helping others. However, we understand the importance of giving back to our employees to ensure a happy and healthy working environment and work/life balance.
• We focus on flexibility, inclusion, collaboration, health and wellbeing both in and outside of work.
• We provide a wide range of benefits which will reward your hard work, motivate you, and inspire you to work to improve the lives of children every day.
Location & Ways of Working:
SCUK offers ‘remote first' hybrid and flexible work arrangements to enable impact towards our strategic objectives and to support the wellbeing of our talented people.
This role involves close direct work with the Board, CEO, senior leaders, staff, and partners. Often fast-paced and handling sensitive issues and relationships, the nature of this role means that you are likely to need to be in our Farringdon office for at least two days most weeks. Some out-of-hours work may be required.
Please note: travel costs to your contracted office will be at your own expense.
Flexible Working - We are happy to discuss flexible working options at interview.
Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:
Save the Children UK believes in a world that is fair, inclusive and equitable where all children have the opportunity to change their world. We apply this to our workforce and we are committed to developing and supporting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organisation where all employees have a sense of belonging and feel that they can be "Free to Be Me". We are not looking for just one type of person - we want to recruit people who can add fresh perspectives, innovative ideas or challenge that disrupts the risk of group think.
We are especially interested in people whose childhood experiences - of life on a low income, of migration, of being in a racialised community, of the care system, of being LGBT+ or in an LGBT+ family or living with (or with someone with) a disability - help us to see things we might otherwise miss. Whatever your story is we want to hear it because we know that different voices, ideas, perspectives and knowledge, working together will enable us to better the lives of children around the world. This is the reason why we are all here.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Do you have the ability to lead and motivate others, and a real desire to make structural change for those facing homelessness and poor housing conditions? Then join Shelter Scotland as a Senior Housing Rights Worker and you could soon be playing a vital role in helping to identify and resolve the homelessness and bad housing issues facing local communities
About the role
You’ll be responsible for delivering high quality housing advice, advocacy and casework to clients in community settings and remotely in line with local pressing issues and managing others in this. You will develop relationships within the sector to gather evidence and insights into the impact of the housing emergency and using those insights to drive systems change. You will lead on the development and delivery of a programme of capacity building, ensuring other organisations have the skills to act on housing rights. Influencing a range of stakeholders and decision makers across the housing sector will be important too.
You will act as a leader within the project and the wider Communities Team to help deliver and evidence our strategy at an operational level. We will count on you to line manage, supervise, coach and mentor a housing rights worker.
Role specifics
To succeed, you’ll need to have experience of working with, and influencing, a range of internal and external stakeholders and enjoy collaborating with people from other teams and organisations. You’ll also need great time management skills, an enthusiasm for delivering workshops and presentations and a willingness to challenge practice and hold people to account. You’ll have a flair for leading and motivating others. Adept at engaging with individuals and communities, you enjoy gathering evidence and identifying insights, issues and trends. What’s more, you present information and arguments in a clear and compelling way and have excellent problem-solving skills.
Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.
We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.
About the team
Our three Communities Teams are responsible for identifying, investigating and intervening in housing and homelessness practice issues. We engage with our local communities to understand the issues people are facing and apply expert housing knowledge, insight and analysis to identify solutions to them. As well as providing advice and advocacy for individuals, we also use our insight, relationships and influence to drive systemic change, always ensuring that Lived Experience is at the heart of everything we do.
About Shelter Scotland
Shelter Scotland is Scotland’s national housing and homelessness charity. Our vision is of a home for everyone in Scotland. For over 50 years, the way we drive change has remained the same. We advise and support people in housing need today and use the insight we gain to inform our campaigns to change tomorrow. We also raise professional standards for those working in Scotland’s housing and homelessness sector by offering a broad range of training courses.
Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday thousands of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.
We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.
We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.
Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter Scotland. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.
Safeguarding statement
Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter Scotland is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.
Shelter Scotland does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Contract: Full time, fixed term until 16th February 2027
Salary: £28,481 to £33,118 per annum
Location: Exeter, EX2 8ED
Closing date: Sunday 18th January 2026
Interview dates: To be confirmed
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 Devon rehoming advice and behaviour unit in all pets, people, financial and compliance matters!
This is a great time to join the Devon Centre, with the chance for a dynamic leader who can quickly adapt and bring their own experience to the role. This is a fixed term contract role until 16th February 2027.
More about the role
At our rehoming, advice & behaviour unit in Devon, our foster-based care and Home Direct Scheme ensures animals find 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, 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 and delivering the strategy for the Devon centre. We have a skilled, passionate team, we need someone who can build great relationships and continue to meet the objectives of the centre.
For many, the Centre will be the “public face” of Blue Cross so you will need to ensure that customer service is at the heart of every interaction. At Blue Cross we are ambitious, and the work carried out by our Centres is key in achieving our strategy and ensuring that ultimately, we help more 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 – Friday, working 1 in 3 weekends (Sat and Sun), with flexibility where there is a business need.
Want to know more detail? Great! We have attached a candidate pack and job description which hopefully gives you everything you 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. You’ll bring strong operational and people management skills – able to set direction, take action and empower others to deliver improvements.
Alongside your leadership strengths, you’ll also possess indepth 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.
- Significant experience of working in an emotionally charged environment, showing empathy, and demonstrating resilience under pressure and dealing with distressed people and animals.
- The ability to demonstrate, understand and apply our Blue Cross values
- Current full driving licence.
How to apply
Click the apply button below and complete the online application process before the closing date on Sunday 18th January 2026.
The process will include:
- First stage interview and site tour.
- Online Discovery Session. This will include scenario-based exercises and group discussions, giving you the chance 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. 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:
- Pro rata 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
We believe in a world where all pets enjoy a healthy and happy life with people who love them



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Closing Date: 16 January 2026
Ref 7210
Save the Children UK has an exciting opportunity for a collaborative and fashion-savvy retail leader with strong volunteer management experience to join us as our Store Manager for our Mary's Living & Giving (MLG) Store in Chiswick, London, where you'll inspire a longstanding and dedicated volunteer team to deliver an exceptional retail experience and maximise income that helps transform children's lives.
About Us
Save the Children UK believes every child deserves a future. In the UK and around the world, we work every day to give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. When crisis strikes, and children are most vulnerable, we are always among the first to respond and the last to leave. We ensure children's unique needs are met and their voices are heard. We deliver lasting results for millions of children, including those hardest to reach.
About the role
As Store Manager, you will lead one of our flagship Mary's Living & Giving stores – a premium, fashion-forward charity retail concept created in partnership with Mary Portas. You'll be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Chiswick store, ensuring that it not only meets its commercial goals but continues to offer a unique, community-focused shopping experience that reflects the MLG brand.
You'll lead and support a passionate team of around 40 volunteers, maintaining their engagement while evolving the store's offer to reflect local trends and align operationally with other Mary's Living & Giving stores across the network.
In this role, you will:
• Lead, motivate, and develop a diverse volunteer team, creating an inclusive, supportive and empowering culture that celebrates each individual's contribution.
• Manage all aspects of store operations, ensuring excellence in visual merchandising, stock management, and customer service standards.
• Analyse sales performance and local trends to maximise income and profit, while maintaining the premium and distinctive MLG brand identity.
• Build strong links with the local community to grow the store's supporter base and reputation as a destination for high-quality womenswear and new goods.
• Diversify the product offer in line with community insight and MLG strategy, ensuring the store remains relevant, inspiring, and competitive.
• Ensure compliance with Save the Children's policies, safeguarding, and operational standards.
About you
To be successful, it is important that you have:
• Proven leadership experience in retail or charity retail, with a track record of managing and motivating teams (paid or volunteer).
• A strong sense of fashion retailing, with the ability to curate, present and sell products to a fashion-conscious, label-driven customer base.
• Commercial awareness and experience of working to sales targets, with the ability to interpret data and identify growth opportunities.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, able to engage confidently with volunteers, customers, and the wider community.
• A flexible, positive, and resilient approach, with the ability to adapt and problem-solve in a fast-moving retail environment.
• Commitment to Save the Children's vision, mission and values.
This role will be based on-site in the Chiswick, London shop. We're looking for someone able to work 5 days (35 hours) per week to include weekend working.
What we offer you:
Our benefits package is extensive and generous, including:
• Competitive Pay – Our transparent pay policy ensures fair and equitable compensation.
• Generous Holidays – Start with 27 days off per year (pro rata for part-timers) and enjoy up to 32 days after 10 years.
• Pension & Life Assurance – Secure your future with excellent contributions.
• Employee Discounts – Save on groceries, high-street brands, home, tech, gyms, holidays, and more! Over 6,000 deals are available through our benefits platform.
• Maternity/Adoption Benefits – Get 21 weeks of full pay after just six months of employment.
• Paternity/Adoption Leave – Enjoy 10 weeks of full pay (plus statutory 2 weeks) after six months with us.
• Additional benefits: include cycle to work scheme, employee assistance programme, eye care, flu jabs, season ticket loan
Closing Date: 16 January 2026
Please note: To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications are received. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels whilst maintaining a positive candidate experience. Unfortunately once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications.
Location & Ways of Working:
The majority of our roles can be performed remotely in the UK, but at times you will be required to come to your contracted office (usually between 2–4 days per month, depending on the needs of your role, team, or service). For many roles, this is likely to be the minimum required to deliver impact.
This will be discussed and agreed with your manager / team and we encourage candidates to discuss our ways of working in more detail at interview stage.
Please note: travel costs to your contracted office will be at your own expense.
Flexible Working - We are happy to discuss flexible working options at interview.
Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:
Save the Children UK believes in a world that is fair, inclusive and equitable where all children have the opportunity to change their world. We apply this to our workforce and we are committed to developing and supporting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organisation where all employees have a sense of belonging and feel that they can be "Free to Be Me". We are not looking for just one type of person - we want to recruit people who can add fresh perspectives, innovative ideas or challenge that disrupts the risk of group think.
We are especially interested in people whose childhood experiences - of life on a low income, of migration, of being in a racialised community, of the care system, of being LGBT+ or in an LGBT+ family or living with (or with someone with) a disability - help us to see things we might otherwise miss. Whatever your story is we want to hear it because we know that different voices, ideas, perspectives and knowledge, working together will enable us to better the lives of children around the world. This is the reason why we are all here.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Salary: £58,504.00 per annum plus a company car
Location: Home based with regular travel across England and Scotland including visits to shops and Old Street
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time 37.5 per week
Closing date: Wednesday the 14th of January at 11:30pm
Interviews will be taking place on the 23rd and 27th of January online
Are you a resilient, adaptable leader with proven experience in multi-site retail operations? Shelter is looking for a Head of Retail Operations to join our Retail Senior Leadership team in this exciting new role.
You’ll provide hands on operational leadership while driving long-term planning, systems improvement and service transformation – shaping the future of Shelter Retail to fuel our fight for home.
About the role
This brand new leadership opportunity offers the chance to shape the future of Shelter’s retail operations across England and Scotland.
You will bring strategic vision and operational authority across Shop Support & Buying, E-Commerce Reselling, Store Development, Retail Acquisitions and Retail Operations. As a senior representative you will champion the vital role our shops play as income generators, brand touchpoints and community assets that fuel the fight for home.
With proven experience of leading diverse teams, managing budgets and driving operational excellence you will inspire colleagues, strengthen communication across our shop network and ensure our estate operates consistently, compliantly and sustainably. Above all, you will drive accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement to help Shelter maximise its impact across England and Scotland.
About you
You’ll bring extensive senior leadership experience in multi-site operations, with a provide record of driving performance and commercial success. Skilled at leading diverse teams across operations, buying, projects and support functions, you will balance strategic vision with hands-on delivery.
Be confident navigating complex organisations and influencing senior stakeholders, you’ll also offer robust project management and property operations expertise, from shop openings to system rollouts. Financially astute you are comfortable with budgets, KPI’s and commercial modelling and thrive when leading through change and complexity.
Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.
Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support and legal services. And we campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us for help. We’re here so no one has to fight bad housing or homelessness on their own.
We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.
About the team
The senior leadership team is in period of transition, laying the foundations for the next three years as Shelter retail grows its presence across high streets in England and Scotland, ensuring to embed operational excellence in everything we do. With over 200 staff members and 2000 volunteers across 80 shops, spanning community, furniture and boutique outlets – our central team of 20 supports shop colleagues to maximise income and profitability to fuel Shelter’s fight for home.
How to apply
Please click ‘Apply for Job’ on the advert. You are required to submit a CV and a supporting statement with responses to the points in the About You section of the job description of no more than 350 words each. Please provide specific examples following the STAR format.
- We create change and align behind our strategy
- We enable decision making
- We prioritise diversity and have an inclusive and open mindset
Any applications submitted without a supporting statement will not be considered
About Shelter
Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.
We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.
We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.
Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.
Safeguarding statement
Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.
Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
- Provide inspirational leadership and clear strategic direction for the Freshly Greated CPP programme.
- Lead the implementation of the programme with creativity and a strong commitment to its aims and objectives.
- Develop and nurture the key partnerships in Great Yarmouth and beyond that support the programme’s sustainability and growth.
The Executive Director leads the Freshly Greated programme, working closely with the Freshly Greated Consortium, Arts Council England (ACE), freelancers, volunteer Community Producers and the wider local community. The Director manages a small, multi-disciplinary team and is responsible for the programme’s creative direction, partnership development, financial sustainability, evaluation, compliance and will also develop and lead an ambitious, co-created community-led arts and culture programme that has action research and evaluation at its core.
Freshly Greated is a year round programme which includes award winning youth participation and intergenerational projects across three neighbourhoods. In partnership with Out There Arts, Freshly Greated create vibrant public celebrations across parks, beaches, and town spaces, inspired by local stories. Last year, 61,942 residents took part in workshops, events, and festivals that are free, inclusive, and locally led. All Community Producers agree Freshly Greated proves everyone is creative, builds skills, and strengthens community spirit - 94% say it increases local pride, and 91% believe it makes Great Yarmouth a better place to live.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Contract: Permanent, full time (37.5 hours per week)
Salary: £25,787 - £27,047 per annum
Location: Exeter, EX2 8ED
Closing date: Tuesday 20th January 2026
Interview date: Wednesday 28th January 2026
We're recruiting an Assistant Manager – Offsite Services to lead and streamline our home-based pet operations in Devon!
In this role, you'll ensure that every pet finds the perfect match with their new family as quickly as possible, while maintaining top-quality care for both our pets and clients throughout the entire adoption journey. Join us in making a difference, one pet at a time!
More about the role
Our Devon centre has a wonderful group of dedicated people with varying skills that meld into one team with one mission: to help as many pets as possible. We help pets through our two main services, Home Direct and our fostering network of over 80 volunteer foster carers.
In this role, you’ll play a key part in ensuring exceptional care for both pets and clients while making well-connected, efficient decisions that prioritise pet welfare. As the leader of our home-based pet operations, you’ll oversee the smooth running of daily activities, acting as the subject matter expert in practical animal handling and assessment. Your goal will be to prepare pets for adoption as quickly and effectively as possible. You’ll work closely with your team to ensure timely pet assessments, behaviour management, and training, while providing full support to foster carers.
You’ll also be responsible for achieving pet-related targets, ensuring your team of Pet Welfare Assistants and Foster Co-Ordinator's maintains the highest standards of animal care and adheres to national processes in case management. Since we don’t have cattery or kennel facilities, innovation and teamwork are essential to address the most urgent cases effectively.
Motivating and managing your team is central to this role, enabling the centre to provide top-quality home-based pet care while helping your team develop professionally.
This is a full-time position, working 37.5 hours per week and you will be required to work 1 in 3 weekends.
About you
You’ll be a great people manager, bringing finely honed skills from your experience in an animal-related environment, along with expert knowledge of pet welfare and care.
As a dynamic and innovative leader, you know how to inspire and motivate your team, driving continuous improvement. You’ll lead a team of Pet Welfare Assistants and Foster Coordinators, empowering them through effective management and coaching.
With excellent communication skills, you adapt your approach for different audiences, ensuring your message resonates. While juggling multiple tasks, you remain calm and organised, making confident decisions in high-pressure situations.
Your strong analytical skills enable you to monitor and evaluate effectively, implementing meaningful improvements.
Having worked in emotionally charged environments, you understand the importance of resilience and have excellent “bounce-back ability.” Your emotional intelligence and empathy will shine as you support your team and the public, creating a compassionate and effective workplace.
Knowledge, skills, and experience
- Significant experience in managing a team.
- Significant experience in 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
- 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.
- Experience working with volunteers.
- Understanding of safeguarding issues.
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 on Tuesday 20th 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
To read more about the benefits Blue Cross has to offer, please visit the 'why work for us' page on our website.
We believe in a world where all pets enjoy a healthy and happy life with people who love them



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Contract: Permanent, full time (37.5 hours per week)
Salary:£25,787 to £27,047 per annum
Location: Southampton SO30 2HL
Closing date:Sunday 18th January 2026
Interview date: Monday 26th January 2026
We're recruiting an Assistant Manager – Offsite Services to lead and streamline our home-based pet operations.
In this role you'll ensure that every pet finds the perfect match with their new family as quickly as possible, while maintaining top-quality care for both our pets and clients throughout the entire adoption journey. Join us in making a difference, one pet at a time!
More about the role
Our beautiful centre opened in 1988 and occupies approximately three acres of land in a discrete location surrounded by fields where we can walk our dogs, providing some wonderful enrichment in a quiet environment. The centre has facilities to care for dogs and cats, as well as a specialised area for kittens.
In this role, you’ll play a key part in ensuring exceptional care for both pets and clients while identifying efficiencies and making decisions that prioritise offsite pet welfare. As the leader of our home-based pet operations, you’ll oversee the smooth running of our foster and home direct services, placing pets directly from one home to another, with experience in practical animal handling and assessment. Your goal will be to prepare pets for adoption as quickly and effectively as possible. You’ll work closely with your team to ensure timely pet assessments, behaviour management, and training, while providing full support to foster carers and current owners.
You’ll also be responsible for achieving pet-related targets, ensuring your team of Pet Welfare Assistants and Foster Coordinators maintain the highest standards of animal care and adheres to national processes in case management. Teamwork is essential to address the most urgent cases effectively.
Motivating and managing your team is central to this role, enabling the centre to provide top-quality home-based pet care while helping your team develop professionally.
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.
This is a full-time position, working 37.5 hours per week and you will be required to work 1 in 3 weekends.
About you
You’ll be a great people manager, bringing finely honed skills from your experience in an animal-related environment, along with extensive knowledge of pet welfare and care.
As a dynamic and innovative leader, you know how to inspire and motivate your team, driving continuous improvement, empowering them through effective management and coaching.
With excellent communication skills, you adapt your approach for different audiences, ensuring your message resonates. While juggling multiple tasks, you remain calm and organised, making confident decisions in high-pressure situations.
Your strong analytical skills enable you to monitor and evaluate effectively, implementing meaningful improvements. Rather than resting on your laurels, you’ll have a genuine desire to enhance offsite pet care services, actively engaging your team in the process.
Having worked in emotionally charged environments, you understand the importance of resilience. Your emotional intelligence and empathy will shine as you support your team and the public, creating a compassionate and effective workplace.
Knowledge, skills, and experience
-
Significant experience in managing a team.
-
Significant experience in delivering high level Customer service in a fast-paced environment.
-
Expertise and application of pet welfare and handling of domestic animals
-
High standard of verbal and written communication.
-
Current full driving license
-
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.
-
Experience working with volunteers.
-
Understanding of safeguarding issues.
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 on Sunday 18th January.
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
We believe in a world where all pets enjoy a healthy and happy life with people who love them



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.