• Permanent - Full Time
• Centre based horse care services
• Rolleston - Staffordshire

Find out more and apply here

We’re recruiting an Assistant Manager – Onsite Services who will play a key role in ensuring the smooth running of our centre-based horse care services. You’ll lead and support teams, oversee horse welfare, and ensure horses are ready for adoption as quickly as possible. With your expertise in horse care and facility management, you’ll help us place the right horse in the right home. Join us and make a difference in equine welfare!
More about the role
As the Assistant Manager, you will support the delivery of the Blue Cross strategy by overseeing the smooth operational running of all centre based horse care services. By embedding a healthy culture which attracts and maintains engaged and empowered teams, you will ensure that the right horse is placed in the right service, in the quickest amount of time.

On a day-to-day basis you will have responsibility for the smooth running of the centre based horse operations, this includes providing subject matter expertise on practical horse care and handling horses where necessary. You will also oversee the buildings used for horse accommodation, all horse equipment and ensuring that the horses are prepared and ready for adoption as soon as possible.

At our Rolleston 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.

This is full time role working 37.5 per week on a rota which includes weekends and bank holidays.
For a more detailed look at the role and its requirements, please see the attached job description.
About you
You will be a positive, inclusive manager of people, having skills which are finely honed by working in a similar, horse welfare related environment. You will also have expert knowledge and application of horse welfare and care and understand how to drive performance improvements and efficiencies and be prepared to address promptly underperformance or poor levels of service.

You will be able to lead the adoptions preparations team, developing and empowering them through effective management and coaching. You will be positive and innovative manager, with excellent communication skills and with the ability to adapt your approach to different styles and audiences. As there are many ‘plates spinning’, you need to be organized, adaptable and be prepared to make decisions in a high pressure environment.

You will also bring strong analytical skills and can rigorously monitor, assess and evaluate in order to deliver improvements. You won’t ‘rest on your laurels’, you will have an appetite to continually improve onsite facilities and services, ensuring your team and others involved are engaged.

You will know what it is like to work in an emotionally charged environment and have excellent bounce back ability and resilience. In addition, you will be emotionally intelligent, showing empathy and knowing how to support your team and members of the public.

Essential Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

Significant experience in delivering high level Customer service in a fast-paced environment.
Knowledge of behavioural science and learning theory when training horses.
Experience of working alongside vets to make key veterinary desions in complex vet cases
Proven experience of dealing with and treating a range of equine veterinary illness and conditions
High standard of verbal and written communication.
Experience of performance managing & coaching operational teams.
Proven decision-making ability.
Current full driving licence.

Desirable Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

Change management experience.
Delivering training and presenting to large groups.
Experience working with volunteers.
Experience of working in horse rescue welfare environment.
Qualifications in management, leadership, or coaching.
Understanding of safeguarding issues.
The ability to demonstrate, understand and apply our Blue Cross Values.

How to apply
Click the apply button below and complete the online application process before the closing date on Sunday 23 February 2025.

Find out more and apply here

• Welsh Part Bred
• Chestnut
• Filly
• 2 years
• 10.2 hands

• Youngster
• Non ridden companion
• Inquisitive character

This adorable chestnut filly has recently arrived into our care and is settling in beautifully at the centre. Marmalade is a sweet natured little pony with a gentle heart and a playful spirit.

She is still young and has ongoing training needs in all areas of her handling, so she will require an experienced and quiet home that can offer her the patience and consistency she needs to thrive.

Due to her petite size, Marmalade would be best suited as a companion to shetlands or small ponies, ideally with other young ponies who can grow and play alongside her. Her curious and friendly personality would make her a wonderful addition to the right family.

If you think you can offer Marmalade the loving and supportive home she deserves, please get in touch with us. Let’s help this little orange gem shine!

• Thoroughbred
• Bay
• Mare
• 4 years
• 14.1 hands

• Companion Pony
• Adores being groomed and pampered
• Can live part stabled or in a field

Tina is a beautiful, gentle soul looking for her forever home as a non-ridden companion. She’s currently with her adoptive family, who have cared deeply for her but is in a position to find her a new home.

Tina is conformationally best suited to a non-ridden lifestyle. She thrives in a relaxed environment where she can enjoy companionship and love without the demands of riding. Tina adores being groomed and pampered, making her an excellent fit for someone who enjoys spending quality time bonding with their horse. While still quite green, Tina shows great potential with a calm, confident handler who can guide her with patience and consistency.

Tina would do best in a home with a calm and confident handlers; someone experienced with young horses who can help her continue to learn and grow on the ground. She would still enjoy walks in hand or even horse agility.

Tina enjoys the company of other horses and would thrive as part of a small herd. Tina loves human interaction and will happily be your go-to grooming buddy. Tina is in good health and is a wonderful mare with lots of love to give.

Can you give Tina a loving home?

https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet/tina-3144693

• Cob
• Piebald
• Mare
• 4 years
• 13.1 hands

• Companion Pony
• Calm and good with other ponys
• Can live part stabled or in a field

Ramona is a sweet and loving mare who, despite having a veterinary condition that means she cannot be ridden, still has so much to offer her new family. She is a gentle and friendly horse with a kind heart, and she loves spending time with people. Ramona is a perfect companion for someone looking for a horse to enjoy on the ground, whether it’s going for walks in hand, doing groundwork, or even trying something like agility.

She gets along well with other horses and is easy to handle once settled in a routine, making her an ideal choice for a family or individual who has the time and patience to enjoy her at her own pace. Ramona is the perfect mare for someone who wants a calm, loving companion who doesn’t require the demands of riding but still enjoys being involved in equine activities.

Ramona has a veterinary condition that means she cannot be ridden. However, she remains in good health and is perfectly capable of living an active and enjoyable life through other activities. Her condition requires careful management, and she will need a home where her new family can be mindful of her limitations.

Ramona’s ideal home would be with an experienced horse owner who understands her needs and can offer her the care and companionship she deserves.