Centre Manger

HOLLY HEDGE ANIMAL SANCTUARY IS RECRUITING A FULL TIME CENTRE MANAGER TO BE AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR EXCITING NEW PLANS FOR THE FUTURE OF THE SANCTUARY GOING FORWARD.

WE ARE SEEKING AN ENTHUSIASTIC, MOTIVATIONAL, AND INSPIRATIONAL INDIVIDUAL WHO IS A GOOD COMMUNICATOR WITH EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP AND ORGANISATIONAL SKILLS. TO BE CONFIDENT IN MARKETING, PUBLIC SPEAKING AND LIAISING WITH MEDIA WOULD BE A PLUS. BEING PASSIONATE ABOUT OUR RESCUED ANIMALS AND WILLING TO GO THAT EXTRA MILE TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO TRANSFORM THEIR LIVES IS ESSENTIAL.

Reporting and accountable to board of Trustees.

MAIN PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE JOB

• To be responsible for the overall efficient, effective and economic running and management of Holly Hedge Animal Sanctuary charity operations, in line with the charities finances, policies and core values.
• To ensure the Sanctuary is operating in accordance with Employment and Health and Safety law, and all other relevant legislation that affects the Sanctuary and requires compliance.
• Reduce organisational risk by developing policies and ensuring processes and procedures are in place, and are reviewed and up to date. You must also ensure staff are complaint with these policies.
• To help the Trustees develop an organisational strategy and manage plans on their behalf, that will assure the future of Holly Hedge Animal Sanctuary and help it to continually improve.
• To lead, manage, develop and support staff to ensure all animals at the Sanctuary and in foster homes are cared for to the highest standards of animal welfare.
• To lead, manage, develop and support other staff who are office based, or involved in fundraising, event management and communications. This also includes maintenance staff and the charities shop.
• To lead and motivate a dedicated team to deliver excellent standards of customer care, this includes ensuring volunteers are utilised effectively, are appreciated and supported.
• To be responsible for the overall Health & Safety and Welfare of staff, visitors, and volunteers, including those working at events or the Charities shop.
• To seek continuous improvement across all operational areas of the Charity and regularly report to the Trustees, highlighting progress or areas on concern. Where this may involve financial investment, business plans and proposals must be submitted.
• Where appropriate manage projects on behalf of the Trustees.
• To ensure relevant record keeping and other information is readily available for inspection or audit and complies with legislation and good practices.
• To be the front face of Holly Hedge where necessary, carry out media interviews, speak at fundraising events, inspiring and presenting the best image of Holly Hedge possible.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Full UK manual driving licence.
• Ideally 2 years experience as a manager with relevant and demonstrable knowledge and skills. It would be advantageous if this were with a similar Animal Charity.
• Proven ability to inspire, lead and performance manage teams.
• Proven ability to manage within budgets, produce reports and business cases where necessary and ensure the charity is continually improving.
• Experience of managing projects is an advantage.
• Ensuring staff are recruited, inducted, trained and supported, regularly communicating with them, ensuring their welfare and wellbeing is a prime consideration.
• Experience of working with volunteers, ensuring they are supported, utilised and appreciated would be an advantage.
• Experience of ensuring the charity is compliant and up to date with all relevant organisational legislation and good practices, and that policies and procedures are in place, and that staff comply where necessary.
• Excellent organisational, planning, administrative and time management skills.
• A range of IT skills and experience of using technology to effectively communicate internally and externally, help the charity to be efficient and effective, and its records/information comply with legislation.
• Develop a positive Health and Safety Culture. Managing health, safety and welfare, including ensuring regular inspections are carried out, comprehensive risk assessments are completed, reviewed and up to date, staff are trained and aware of their responsibilities to ensure hazards are managed and risk reduced.
• To be flexible, be prepared top occasionally work out of normal hours and be prepared for hands on work with animals in an emergency or when required, with knowledge of working with behavioural issues is an advantage.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Essential – Relevant managerial qualification, which covers all aspects of managing staff and organisations.
• Essential – IOSH or NEBOSH Health and Safety qualification.
• Essential – Other relevant qualifications expected of an experienced manager.
• A coaching and mentoring qualification would be an advantage.
• A project management qualification would be an advantage.
• A qualification in animal welfare would be an advantage.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to inspire, motivate and develop cohesive teams.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Able to produce professional communications, reports and business cases.
• Able to produce organisational strategies, plans and policies to ensure organisational improvement, compliance and reduce organisational risk. .
• Excellent team player, articulate, confident and able to work with the Trustees, instilling confidence and developing trusting relationships.
• Adaptability and drive, and able to work under pressure.
• Totally committed to enriching the lives of the rescues.
• Flexibility and adaptability when required.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage and work in conjunction with the Kennel/Cattery Manager, Reception/Rehoming team and Fundraising team.
• The General Manager will be responsible for overseeing the Sanctuary, welfare of animals, employees, and volunteers; security of all departments and all property occupied by the Charity, including the Health and Safety of all persons on site or working at events off site.
• Be responsible for staff training and development, mentoring, managing performance and to ensure support and resources are in place to carry out their roles efficiently. This may involve working evenings to provide support or if on lock up duty.
• To ensure all volunteers are adequately trained in their responsibilities.
• To optimise systems and processes such as rehoming operations at Holly Hedge, in foster homes and home from home animals.
• Ensure the management of posters, stories, photos and videos of our rescues are on social media as soon as is practicable, and that staff ensure the rehoming process is dealt with expediently, particularly those who aren’t doing well in kennels/catteries.
• Deal openly and promptly with any personnel or HR issues as they arise.
• Be prepared to ‘muck in’ when short staffed.
• Advise Trustees on future development and improvement opportunities to the benefit of the Charity.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIESAND DUTIES

• Manage the implementation of the Charity’s policies, develop new ones when required, regularly review and update them.
• To ensure staff deliver the highest level of care for animals,
• Resolve any complaints and disputes with public.
• To work in conjunction with Kennel/Cattery manager re rotas and hold regular staff meetings.
• To work in conjunction with Reception/Rehoming team re staff meetings.
• Promote responsible pet ownership in the community and assist in promoting the aims and objectives of Holly Hedge at every available opportunity.
• Manage budgets and be aware of any unnecessary use of utilities ensuring staff are environmentally aware.
• Ensure the site is kept clean and tidy and any maintenance addressed expediently.
• Ensure the very highest standards of animal welfare and enrichment are always implemented and make regular inspections of the site.
• Ensure that all income received is documented and banked appropriately.
• Pursue additional fundraising opportunities in compliance with HH policies.
• Organise and liaise with Contractors on site.
• Project manage initiatives, when necessary.
• Ensure all relevant licences, insurances are renewed on time and van logs are completed.
• Ensure all electronic and paper records are kept for the length of time required.
• Ensure good communications in all departments throughout the Sanctuary and with volunteers and public.
• Regularly review systems and procedures to meet the Charity’s needs for efficiency and effectiveness.
• To provide reports and statistics as and when required.
• To have regular meetings with the Trustees.
• This job description is not exhaustive, and a degree of flexibility is required if it is deemed commensurate with the role.

This job description is not exhaustive, and a degree of flexibility is required if it is deemed commensurate with the role.