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The role of the Operations Officer (Licensing and Compliance) is to support the development, coordination and delivery of Licensing and Compliance processes and procedures across the Association.

The Operations Officer (Licensing and Compliance) will support the Senior Licensing and Compliance Manager and other members of the Operations Team to ensure that, through the consistent and proactive use of standards, policies and quality assurance processes, backed up by effective licensing, the intellectual property and good reputation of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is effectively protected.

The role will work closely with Operations Directors, Operations Managers and the Foundation Finance Team to support licensing of Operators.

Key Responsibilities

• Processing, in liaison with relevant Operations Team colleagues, new licence applications from Independent Award Centres (IACs), including due diligence and database management.
• Lead on the management of the IAC Compliance Check schedule and surrounding processes including regular communications with relevant Operations Managers.
• Coordinate the ongoing compliance management process for IACs.
• Provide support to the Senior Licensing & Compliance Manager with processes related to the compliance for National Award Operators (NAOs) and Operating Partners (OPs).
• Support the Senior Licensing and Compliance Manager with issuing of and drafting correspondence in relation to all licence documentation (terminations, licence extensions, agreements and certificates etc).
• Support the Senior Licensing and Compliance Manager to disseminate information regarding licensing and quality assurance processes to Foundation colleagues, and to the wider Association when appropriate.
• Support with ad hoc projects, as required.

• 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. 

Contract:Permanent, 35 hours per week 

Salary:£36,000 - £41,000 per annum 

Location:Hybrid - 2 days per week at Burford, OX18 4PF 

Closing date:Sunday 18th January 2026 

Interview dates: 1st interviews (via Teams) on Monday 26th January 2026 

    2nd interviews (at Burford) on Tuesday 3rd February 2026 

 
Passionate about helping pets and people? Looking for the next step in your Insights career and interested in developing or building your marketing selections skills? We’re recruiting a Senior Insights Analyst!  

At Blue Cross, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact, helping to ensure we have a data-driven and supporter-centric approach to fundraising, communications and engagement, and delivering insights that drive positive change for pets and the people who look after them.  It’s an exciting time to join us as we have recently migrated from our legacy CRM to Microsoft Dynamics 365, which will allow us to maximise the value of our data and build more effective reporting.

More about the role

This key role within the Insights team has a focus on delivering marketing selections, implementing supporter journeys, and delivering insights on fundraising, communications and engagement performance. The Insights team sits within the Data & Insights Department – a team of 10 colleagues who are working towards our Data Strategy vision of our information being trusted, accessible and used to help pets and people thrive together.

You'll collaborate closely with the Insights Manager to deliver marketing selections and supporter journeys, as well as analysis and insights that deepen our understanding of our clients and supporters.
 

You will have the opportunity to problem solve and experiment to help us drive forward our data maturity, all whilst being a part of a friendly, welcoming and collaborative team. The Insights team provide the metrics, reports and analysis that underpin evidence-based decision making at Blue Cross, and ensure reporting adheres to all legislative and regulatory requirements and quality and integrity standards.

IMPORTANT NOTE 

As this role involves twice-weekly presence within the office, candidates must live within a reasonable distance from our Burford office (for example, within one and a half hours’ travel one way). Our Burford office is in a rural location where public transport links are infrequent, therefore travel by car is our strong recommendation. If you are thinking of applying, please check your travel time using the postcode OX18 4PF.

About you

 This role would suit an experienced analyst who is keen to develop and maintain supporter journeys and marketing selections, or to learn these skills.  If this is new to you, don’t worry, we’ll fully support you as you learn.
 

You will be confident, proactive and articulate in promoting data, insights and the benefits of evidence-based decision making. We will need you to use various analytical tools, skills and techniques to design and develop reports and dashboards to tell stories in a compelling way and confidently be able to analyse complex data from diverse sources.
 

You will need great presenting and communication skills to deliver insights to stakeholders both in person and virtually and the confidence to build strong stakeholder relationships throughout the organisation, so we are looking for someone positive and friendly with confidence to contribute.

We use Microsoft Power BI as our business intelligence tool, but you might have used other BI software such as Tableau or Qlik. Don’t worry if you haven’t used Power BI – you’ll get lots of support.

While we’d love to hear from a wide range of applicants, we’re unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role and require candidates to have the current right to work in the UK.
 

How to apply  

Click the apply button below and complete the online application process before the closing date. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response. Those who have applied previously are not required to reapply.

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: 

• 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 are seeking an experienced Chief Operating Officer / Deputy CEO to help lead our growing organisation through an exciting period of consolidation and development.

You will work closely with the CEO and Trustees, overseeing operations, finance, people, and systems across our six community projects, helping ensure strong governance, sustainability, and impact.

We’re looking for someone with:
• Senior leadership experience in the charity or non-profit sector
• Strong operational and financial management skills
• Experience leading teams and multiple projects
• A collaborative, values-driven leadership style

This role has a Genuine Occupational Requirement for the post holder to be a practising Christian, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

How to apply:
Click here to download the Applicant Information Pack which also includes details of how to apply or contact us for further information.

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

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.  

Contract: 8-month fixed term maternity cover, full time - 37.5 hours per week 

Salary:£25,787 - £27,886 per annum 

Location: Southampton, SO30 2HL 

Closing date: Sunday 18th January 2026 

Interview date: Tuesday 27th January 2026 

We’re looking for a passionate and driven Assistant Manager – Client Services to join our team at the Southampton rehoming centre and help lead our work supporting people and pets. If you have a talent for delivering outstanding customer service, strong people management skills, and a genuine love for animal welfare, this is your opportunity to make a meaningful impact. This is a fixed term role until 30th September 2026. 

More about the role 

Our Southampton rehoming centre plays a vital role in supporting animals and their people, with on-site kennels and a cattery providing direct care and rehoming services. As part of a compassionate and dedicated team, you’ll help oversee day-to-day operations, support our clients, and ensure we’re making a positive difference in the lives of pets and their owners every day. 

As Assistant Manager – Client Services, you’ll be at the forefront of this work. You’ll: 

• Lead and line manage the client services team to deliver exceptional care from first enquiry through to adoption or other support 

• Work closely with the team to assess and admit pets, match them with the right adopters, and guide clients through every step of their journey 

• Use data and insights to shape services and continuously improve client experience 

• Collaborate with the local leadership team to meet targets and drive pet welfare outcomes 

• Be hands-on with day-to-day operations including managing enquiries, prioritising admissions and promoting pets in our care 

This is an 8-month maternity cover position until 30th September, working full time at 37.5 hours per week on a rota that includes 1 in 3 weekends and bank holidays. The working day is from 8.30am to 5.00pm. 

At our Southampton rehoming centre, we provide onsite accommodation for pets in our care 24/7.  Overnight shifts are usually undertaken by team members who live on site.  Occasionally you will be expected to carry out night checks when the resident team members are either not working or away for a period of time. 

About you 

You understand what it takes to match pets with new homes and are passionate about delivering an outstanding client experience. With a sharp eye for detail and a drive for improvement, you know how to assess what’s working – and what’s not. 

As a people manager, you're confident in leading by example, setting expectations, and ensuring your team has the support they need to succeed. 

A natural leader, you bring out the best in your team, supporting and coaching them to grow. You're calm under pressure, thrive in busy environments, and communicate clearly with people from all walks of life. 

Your resilience and empathy shine through in emotional situations, helping you build trust, handle challenges with care, and create a compassionate, high-performing team. 

Knowledge, skills, and experience   

• Significant experience of managing a team. 

• Experience in delivering high level customer service. 

• Experience of working in a fast-paced environment. 

• High standard of verbal and written communication. 

• Proven decision-making ability. 

• Current full driving licence. 

• The ability to demonstrate, understand and apply our Blue Cross Values 

It would be great (but not essential) if you also had:  

• Performance management and improvement experience.

• Understanding of safeguarding issues. 

• Experience of admission and adoption processes in a rescue environment. 

Want to know more detail? Great! We have attached the job description which hopefully gives you everything you need.  

How to apply  

Click the apply button below and complete the online application process before the closing date Sunday 18th January 2026. 

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response.   

Blue Cross benefits    

Our people are the most important part of delivering our purpose. If it were not for their amazing efforts and commitment, we would not be able to make the difference that we do today.   

In return, Blue Cross wants to ensure we provide you with the best working environment we can. We want you to be happy working for us and will do everything we can to make sure you are.   

Our generous benefits package includes:   

• Enhanced annual leave entitlement: 30 days plus bank holidays    

• Pension scheme with enhanced employer contribution   

• Health cash plan  

• Life assurance   

• Unlimited access to an employee assistance programme  

• Programmes for physical and mental wellbeing support  

• Free access to GP via MetLife  

• Recognition scheme Annual volunteer days 

• Claim for professional fees  

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

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  

Are you an experienced leader in homelessness or housing? We’re seeking a Head of Homeless Services to drive innovation, support our team, and shape the future of our vital Restart service.

About Resolve

Resolve supports people facing some of the most difficult challenges in life, substance misuse and homelessness. Our aim is to help individuals move towards stability and independence, building safe, positive and sustainable lives.

We deliver this through two main services. Our Restart Homeless and Rough Sleeping service provides targeted rough sleeping outreach, supported accommodation for 14 tenants and long-term guidance to help people to move forward and avoid returning to homelessness. In addition our Drug and Alcohol Treatment service, based in Welwyn Garden City and Letchworth, provides abstinence-focused, psychosocial support for people seeking recovery. 

We are entering an exciting period of growth, with a refreshed brand and website, and a passionate team driving innovation across our services. We have a new strategic plan which looks to expand services, guided by our values of Trust, Passion, Partnership and Respect, to reach and help more people.

With the Government’s National Plan to End Homelessness and Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council’s new Homeless and Rough Sleeping Strategy, this is a great moment to join Resolve and help shape the future of homelessness and rough sleeper support in our community.

Purpose of the Role

The Head of Homeless Services will lead, develop and deliver all aspects of Resolve’s Restart service. You will oversee rough sleeping outreach, accommodation and intensive one-to-one support, ensuring people move towards secure housing and improved wellbeing.

This is both a strategic and hands-on role. You will inspire a dedicated team, drive service innovation, and strengthen partnerships across the sector, while ensuring high standards of care, safeguarding and compliance. Above all, you will play a key role in shaping the future of Resolve and making a lasting difference for people experiencing homelessness and substance misuse.

Salary: £35,000 – £40,000 (salary conditional on pending salary review)

Location: Hatfield, Hertfordshire (with regular travel across Welwyn Hatfield Borough and occasional travel to Letchworth)

Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week (including a 30 minute per day paid break)

Holiday: 36 days annual leave including bank holidays

Contract Type: Permanent

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer 

Key Responsibilities

• Service Leadership & Delivery
• Team Management & Development
• Organisational Leadership
• Monitoring, Evaluation & Compliance
• Partnership & External Relations 

Person Specification

• Proven experience in the homelessness or housing sector.
• Confident in engaging with vulnerable individuals, including those in crisis.
• Significant team and people management experience.
• Excellent communication skills – verbal, written and interpersonal.
• Strong organisational and IT skills, including Microsoft Office, Teams and case management systems.
• A values-driven approach and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Ability to manage day to day operations and also think ‘bigger picture’ and longer term.

Why Join Us?

This is more than a management role – it’s an opportunity to make a real and lasting difference. You will:

• Lead a passionate team at a time of growth and renewal.
• Shape and develop innovative homelessness and rough sleeping services.
• Work in a supportive, values-driven organisation in the heart of the local community.

Benefits

• Flexible working options to support a healthy work / life balance.
• An informal, friendly and supportive workplace culture.
• Access to professional clinical supervision and support, helping you develop and maintain resilience in a challenging and meaningful role.
• Free on-site parking or costs reimbursed.
• Enhanced 36 days annual leave entitlement (including bank holidays).

ABOUT MORE IN COMMON

More in Common is a research agency working across the US, UK, Germany, France, Brazil, Spain and Poland to tackle polarisation and division. More in Common leads and supports initiatives to build more united, inclusive, and resilient societies. Our mission is to understand the forces driving us apart, help societies find common ground and bring people together to tackle shared challenges. 

In the UK, our work is best described as being part consultancy and part think tank. We provide a full suite of research services including polling and focus group research; evidence reviews and secondary data analysis; audience mapping and audience strategy; strategic communications strategy and campaign development. More in Common are members of the British Polling Council. 

Our work is informed by our ground-breaking segmentation of the British public. This unique values-based lens to our quantitative and qualitative research means we can understand not only what the public thinks of the big challenges facing British society today – but crucially why they think it. Our insights help leaders in government, the media, business, and civil society to develop better strategies and communications – particularly in reaching disengaged communities far from the Westminster/London bubble – and to better navigate tricky and divisive issues. 

Over the last year, More in Common has published agenda-setting thought leadership on a whole range of debates facing British society – including exploring the public’s starting points on assisted dying and immigration; understanding how the British public is navigating major debates from trans and gender identity to the conflict in Israel and Palestine; and our political research has helped policymakers and politicians understand the dramatic fragmentation of our politics. Our work is regularly covered in the British press and media and we’ve developed a series of partnerships with broadcasters and newspapers to deliver top-quality research insights. In the 2024 General Election, we were among Britain’s most accurate pollsters and used our focus group research to put people and public opinion at the centre of coverage of the election campaign.

Through our consultancy, More in Common has also supported dozens of partners with insights and strategic communications support. We’ve helped national institutions such as the BBC, British Library and National Trust to better understand their audiences, we’ve helped partners in government and civil society with the set-up and delivery of the Homes for Ukraine scheme, and we’ve supported a range of partners to test their policy proposals from the National Farmers Union to Rethink Mental Illness among many others.

In 2026, More in Common has a range of exciting projects in the pipeline, including: 

• Launching a new training arm with a range of training programmes based on the Seven Segments - which this role will lead.

• Understanding the key dynamics of local elections in England and Scottish and Welsh Parliament elections, and the political landscape continues to fracture.

• Embedding our new Seven Segments with a wider range of organisations, including developing new products and training offers to help people understand the segments.

• A deep dive into our ‘Dissenting Disruptor’ segment who are disillusioned with mainstream politics and driving the rise of Reform UK.

• Working with a range of partners to help them understand their audiences and bring their key policy aims in line with public opinion, on topics ranging from sustainable transport, to international development aid, to social media regulation and more.

• Helping navigate declining trust in institutions, for example exploring why trust in universities and science appears to be falling.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

We are seeking a full-time Communications Assistant to raise More in Common’s profile, and help to take our communications strategy to new heights. Working closely with the UK team, the post holder will support proactive media outreach, translate our research into clear and compelling content, and help disseminate our findings to journalists, partners and other key audiences.

The Communications Assistant role involves the following indicative duties:

• Help translate More in Common’s research into concise, media-friendly insights, including drafting press releases and supporting colleagues to pitch stories to the press.

• Writing compelling content for our blog, newsletter and social media channels.

• Helping to promote our Opinion Brief newsletter and achieve our target of quadrupling our subscriber list by the end of 2026.

• Expanding More in Common’s media network; helping to build new relationships with journalists while maintaining and updating our existing mailing list.

• Building our long-term media grid, looking ahead to key upcoming moments in the news cycle and feeding ideas into our weekly polls to ensure we can quickly respond.

• Helping to craft an interesting story from our quantitative and qualitative data, and spot key statistics and trends that will be interesting to the media.

• Helping the team to experiment with paid online advertising to increase More in Common's profile and generate new business.

• Uploading content to our website and ensuring it remains up to date.

• Writing first drafts of quotes for media, op-eds, speeches, and external facing briefings

• Working with the wider team to develop More in Common's communications strategy, and identify a set of key performance indicators by which to evaluate our approach.

The successful candidate will also have opportunities to work with the UK Team across our core areas of research, partnership, client work and events. More in Common UK is a small team with a start-up culture where everyone is expected to execute a range of responsibilities. While the Communications Assistant will be primarily responsible for media and communications, we would like them to play an active role across our work.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential:

• A passion for media and communications.

• Excellent written communication; the ability to write clear, compelling content for different audiences.

• Familiarity with how to analyse and manipulate quantitative data and turn that data into a compelling story.

• A can-do attitude, with the ability to work both responsively and proactively at pace

• A keen interest in and genuine enthusiasm for UK politics and public opinion

• The ability to manage and prioritise multiple competing demands from different people and projects.

Desirable:

• Experience in PR, journalism, media, social media or marketing.

• Familiarity with social research methods (either in an academic or professional setting).

• A proven track record of growing a social media account, through both organic growth and paid campaigns.

Please note, the desirable experience listed above is a bonus rather than a requirement, and we would strongly encourage candidates with a passion for communications to apply even if they do not meet every point.

OTHER INFORMATION

With over 70 staff across six countries, each member of our team makes a vital contribution to our impact, and we put a strong emphasis on team selection and values. We look for people who: 

• Are curious, rigorous, restless, energetic and creative

• Are able to think ahead and get big stuff done

• Are committed to a process of ongoing learning

• Have direct experience with and understand people from different perspectives and backgrounds

• Are excited to do work that works across political divides and that promotes shared national identities

• Are interested in reaching left behind communities

• Are excited to work with heart as well as head

• Want to be part of finding practical solutions

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

We will have a better chance of uniting divided societies if our team reflects a broad range of social and cultural backgrounds, beliefs, political opinions, and life experiences. We particularly encourage applications from underrepresented and minority communities.

COMPENSATION AND CONDITIONS

Competitive salary (£30,000) plus excellent benefits including private health insurance, generous leave policy, and a personal learning and growth budget.

The application deadline is Sunday 11 January at 23:59.

Applications should include:

• a short cover letter (max. one page)

• a CV

• In a separate Word document, please write a very short piece (around 200 words) setting out a prediction for UK politics in 2026, and explain why you think it will matter.

Initial screening calls will take place w/c 12 January, with interviews w/c 19 January. We aim to appoint by w/c 26 January.

Contract: Permanent, full time

Hours: 35 hours per week

Salary: £49,000 - £52,000 per annum

Location: Anchored to the Cardiff office. Minimum expectation of being present at least one day a week in the office.

The Head of External Affairs is a key role within the Carers Trust Wales team responsible for developing and delivering a dynamic external affairs strategy to ensure the issues impacting on unpaid carers and the services they rely on are a priority for Welsh Government, the Senedd and other key statutory partners.

A high-profile role, our Head of External Affairs is a credible spokesperson for the organisation working alongside the media, third sector and other key stakeholders to raise awareness of, and generate support for, the issues impacting unpaid carers and the services they rely on.

Through this role you will be central to advancing our mission by increasing the profile and influence of the Carers Trust Network in Wales, campaigning to make carers' rights a reality through the delivery of Wales-based and UK wide campaigns, and the production of high-quality content for a range of audiences.

To find out more about the role and Carers Trust, download the documents attached. 

Contract: Parhaol, amser llawn

Oriau: 35 awr yr wythnos

Cyflog: £49,000 - £52,000 y flwyddyn

Lleoliad: Wedi'i angori i swyddfa Caerdydd. Bydd disgwyl i chi fod yn bresennol yn y swyddfa o leiaf un diwrnod yr wythnos.

Mae'r Pennaeth Materion Allanol yn rôl allweddol yn nhîm Ymddiriedolaeth Gofalwyr Cymru sy'n gyfrifol am ddatblygu a chyflawni strategaeth materion allanol ddeinamig i sicrhau bod y materion sy'n effeithio ar ofalwyr di-dâl a'r gwasanaethau maen nhw'n dibynnu arnyn nhw yn flaenoriaeth i Lywodraeth Cymru, y Senedd a phartneriaid statudol allweddol eraill.

Mae ein Pennaeth Materion Allanol yn swydd uchel ei phroffil ac yn llefarydd effeithiol ar ran y sefydliad. Mae'n gweithio ochr yn ochr â'r cyfryngau, y trydydd sector a rhanddeiliaid allweddol eraill i godi ymwybyddiaeth o'r materion sy'n effeithio ar ofalwyr di-dâl a'r gwasanaethau maen nhw'n dibynnu arnyn nhw, ac i ennyn cefnogaeth ar eu cyfer.

Drwy'r rôl hon, byddwch yn ganolog i ddatblygu ein cenhadaeth drwy godi proffil a dylanwad y Rhwydwaith Ymddiriedolaeth Gofalwyr yng Nghymru, ymgyrchu i wireddu hawliau gofalwyr drwy ddarparu ymgyrchoedd yng Nghymru ac ar draws y DU, a llunio cynnwys o ansawdd uchel ar gyfer amrywiaeth o gynulleidfaoedd.

I gael rhagor o wybodaeth am y rôl ac am Ymddiriedolaeth y Gofalwyr, llwythwch y dogfennau sydd wedi'u hatodi i lawr. 

Benefits: 39 days annual leave (including bank holidays), company pension

Lead. Inspire. Serve. Transform Lives.

Are you a Christian leader with a heart for young people and a passion for community transformation?

Do you believe in the God-given value and potential of every person?

Are you ready to guide one of the country’s oldest and most trusted Christian youth movements into its next chapter?

YMCA North Staffordshire is seeking an exceptional Christian Chief Executive Officer to lead our mission, embody our values, and continue shaping a movement that is transforming the lives of thousands of young people and families.

With a proud 160-year history and an award-winning campus at the heart of Stoke-on-Trent, this is a rare opportunity to lead a charity that is deeply rooted in Christian faith, committed to radical inclusion, and driven by a vision where all young people can belong, contribute and thrive.

Our Christian Vision and Values

YMCA North Staffordshire is an inclusive Christian movement.

Our mission flows directly from our faith and is grounded in four core values:

PROTECT

We provide sanctuary and safety, ensuring every young person feels seen, valued, and respected.

HOPE

We see young people not through the lens of their past, but their God-given potential.

PERSEVERE

We walk with young people through challenges, setbacks, and breakthroughs.

TRUST

We act with integrity, accountability, and belief in the dignity of every human being.

Because these values are Christian in origin and practice, and because the CEO is the guardian of our mission, this role has a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) for the postholder to be a practising Christian.

 About the Role

Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the CEO will lead an organisation of 130 staff, a £5m+ budget, and a £35m estate, helping strengthen community through youth development, education, housing, healthy living, and social responsibility.

The next CEO will:

• Provide strategic leadership to deliver the 2026–2029 Business Plan
• Champion youth voice and empowerment in all areas of work
• Sustain and grow financial strength, partnerships, and social enterprise
• Uphold and deepen our Christian identity, ensuring values-led practice
• Drive innovation, digital transformation, and organisational development
• Represent YMCA NS locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally
• Be a visible advocate for young people in Stoke-on-Trent
• Strengthen our “village” culture: welcoming, relational, rooted in Ubuntu and Asset-Based Community Development principles (ABCD).

Purpose of the Role

To lead YMCA North Staffordshire in fulfilling its Christian mission, as described in the Associations charitable objectives 

We develop young people; they develop their world.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic leadership in alignment with Board governance
• Upholding Christian ethos, values, and culture across the organisation
• Financial stewardship, compliance, and sustainability
• Community development and partnership building
• Youth advocacy and empowerment
• Oversight of housing, programmes, and impact measurement
• Staff leadership, pastoral care, and organisational culture
• External representation and communications

 Person Specification – Summary

Knowledge

• Housing, youth services, and community development
• Charity law, governance, safeguarding
• Understanding of Christian ministry, mission, and values
• Organisational development and change leadership

Experience

• Senior leadership in values-led or Christian settings
• Track record of strategic development and organisational growth
• Experience working with young people, housing, or community sectors
• Experience nurturing Christian ethos across a diverse organisation

Skills & Abilities

• Inspirational leadership and people development
• Strategic planning and delivery
• Excellent communicator and ambassador
• Partnership building and stakeholder engagement
• Ability to articulate and embody Christian faith
• Deep commitment to Christian values and the Aims & Purposes of the YMCA

 The Leader We Are Looking For

The landscape for young people is changing — and so must we.

We need a CEO who is:

• Faith-filled and prayerful
• Values-driven and courageous
• Relational, compassionate, and community-minded
• A champion of excellence, innovation, and good governance
• Grounded in Christian mission and committed to radical inclusion
• Able to inspire hope, build trust, and persevere through challenge

As George Williams, YMCA’s founder, said:

“You are not alone, and you can be more.”

Our next CEO must believe this not only for themselves — but for every young person we serve.

How to apply

An application pack can be found at the YMCA North Staffordshire website. This role is subject to enhanced DBS and reference checks.

Key Recruitment Dates

• Closing Date: 18th January 2026
• Interviews: Week commencing 9th February 2026

We are a safe recruitment Organisation and an Equal Opportunities Employer, we run the disability confident guaranteed interview scheme.

We are an organisation with Christian values, committed to Equality and Diversity in the Workplace. YMCA is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults.