Operations Manager – The Dog Club Maldon
Full Time | Permanent
Maldon, Essex
Competitive Salary (Dependent on Experience)
Are you an experienced animal care professional with strong leadership skills and a passion for delivering exceptional standards of care?
The Dog Club Maldon is one of the UK’s most unique dog daycare and enrichment facilities. We are looking for an exceptional Operations Manager to join our senior team and help lead the day-to-day running of our busy, fast-growing facility.
This is not an office-based management role.
We are looking for someone who thrives in a hands-on environment, enjoys leading people, understands dogs on a professional level, and takes pride in maintaining exceptionally high standards across every aspect of the business.
You will work closely alongside the owner and existing management team, helping oversee the daily operation of our daycare, training and enrichment services whilst supporting a large team of staff and ensuring the smooth running of the facility.
The Role
As Operations Manager, you will be responsible for helping lead and organise the daily operation of the business, including:
- Managing and motivating a large team of animal care professionals
- Overseeing daily staffing levels, rotas and resource allocation
- Maintaining exceptional standards of cleanliness, hygiene and presentation throughout the facility
- Supporting staff development, training and performance management
- Ensuring the safe handling and welfare of dogs across all groups
- Monitoring and maintaining compliance with licensing requirements and company procedures
- Supporting customer communications and delivering outstanding customer service
- Managing day-to-day operational challenges and problem-solving effectively
- Assisting with recruitment, onboarding and team development
- Working alongside senior management to continually improve systems and standards
About You
We are looking for a confident, professional leader who can bring energy, organisation and positivity to an already established and successful team.
You will have:
Essential
- Proven management or supervisory experience within dog daycare, kennels, boarding kennels, rescue centres, veterinary practices, grooming salons, animal welfare organisations or similar animal care facilities
- Experience managing teams in a fast-paced environment
- Strong leadership and people management skills
- Excellent organisational abilities
- Experience managing rotas, staffing schedules and operational workflows
- Excellent communication and customer service skills
- Confidence handling dogs professionally
- Strong understanding of dog behaviour, welfare and safe group management
- A proactive and positive attitude
- Full UK driving licence
Desirable
- Level 3 qualification (or higher) in Animal Management, Animal Care, Canine Behaviour or a related subject
- Experience working within licensed dog daycare facilities
- Experience with staff training and development
- First Aid qualifications (human or canine)
- Experience with booking and management software systems
What We’re Looking For
The right person will:
- Lead from the front
- Be highly organised and solutions-focused
- Hold themselves and others to exceptionally high standards
- Be confident making decisions
- Enjoy mentoring and developing staff
- Be passionate about dog welfare
- Thrive in a busy, hands-on environment
- Be comfortable balancing both people management and animal care responsibilities
Most importantly, we’re looking for someone who genuinely wants to become part of our long-term vision and help shape the future of one of Essex’s most exciting dog care businesses.
Why Join The Dog Club?
- Work within an award-winning and rapidly growing business
- Be part of a supportive and passionate team
- Opportunity to make a real impact on the future direction of the company
- Ongoing professional development opportunities
- Unique countryside working environment
- Work alongside experienced trainers, animal care professionals and industry leaders
If you’re an experienced leader who loves dogs, enjoys building high-performing teams and takes pride in maintaining exceptional standards, we’d love to hear from you.
To apply, please submit your CV and a covering letter explaining why you’d be a great fit for The Dog Club.
Pay: £13.00-£15.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
