About the Role
Are you an experienced canine care professional with a deep understanding of dog behavior and welfare? RSPCA Northamptonshire Branch is looking for a passionate and skilled Welfare Manager (Dogs) to join our team on a maternity cover basis.
In this vital role, you will oversee the complete journey of dogs in our care—from initial pre-intake behavioral assessments to matching them with loving, forever homes. You will manage care plans, lead and expand our dedicated foster network, coordinate veterinary care, and ensure the highest standards of animal welfare are met across our kennels and foster homes.
Key Responsibilities
- Animal Care & Welfare: Conduct robust pre-admission behavioral and medical assessments, oversee daily kennel care, triage health/behavioral needs, and authorize veterinary treatments within agreed limits.
- Foster Network Management: Recruit, train, and support our dog foster carers, ensuring they have the necessary resources and guidance.
- Adoptions & Promotion: Match dogs with suitable adopters, write engaging adoption profiles, create social media content for appeals, and provide post-adoption support.
- Network & Operations: Transport animals using Branch vans or personal vehicles, collaborate with external private boarding establishments, and support local community engagement events.
- Cross-Operational Cover: Provide occasional operational cover for our Hope Cattery, Community Welfare Hub, and senior team members during peak times or absences.
What We Are Looking For (Requirements)
- Canine Expertise: Confident, demonstrable knowledge of canine behavior, body language, and welfare needs.
- Rescue/Animal Care Experience: Hands-on experience working in a rescue, rehoming, kennel, or professional animal care setting, including safe handling of dogs with varying temperaments.
- Intake & Triage Skills: Proven experience triaging complex admissions (public surrenders, internal charity transfers) and coordinating veterinary care.
- People & Network Skills: Experience recruiting, managing, and supporting volunteers or foster networks.
- Communication & Tech: Excellent written/verbal skills for writing adoption profiles and social media content; proficient in IT applications (e.g., MS Word, Google Workspace).
- Driving Licence: A Full UK Manual Driving Licence and access to a personal vehicle for work purposes (with confidence driving Branch vans).
- Flexibility: Willingness to work weekends, bank holidays, and occasional evenings on a rota basis.
Desirable Skills: Prior experience with the RSPCA or national animal charity, familiarity with shelter software (e.g., Animal Shelter Manager), experience working with third-party boarding establishments, or basic experience with small animals/cats.
Benefits & Perks
- Salary circa £28,000 per annum (pro-rata for part-time)
- 25 days annual leave + Bank Holidays + an extra RSPCA Day
- 3% Employer Pension Contributions
- Flexible/part-time working options negotiable at interview
- Time Off In Lieu (TOIL) given for out-of-hours work
- Occasional working from home allowed by agreement
Work Location: Based at our Hope Cattery in Brixworth, with required travel to other local sites and branches.
RSPCA Northamptonshire Branch is committed to safeguarding and promoting animal welfare and expects all staff to share this commitment.
Pay: £15.65 per hour
Benefits:
- Additional leave
- Bereavement leave
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
- Work from home
Work Location: In person
