Recruitment Pack Head of Catteries Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

Recruitment Pack Head of Catteries Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

Dear Applicant, Thank you for requesting further information for our Head of Catteries vacancy (Ref BDCH921). Please find enclosed the below information which you should read thoroughly before starting your application: A full job description & person specification Additional information Closing date: Sunday 15 th October 2017 Interview date: Thursday 26 th October 2017 If you do not hear from us within 2 weeks of the closing date, please assume you were unsuccessful on this occasion. Please note that we reserve the right to close this post early, should we receive a high volume of applications. Thank you for your interest in working for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. The HR Team jobs@battersea.org.uk

Job Description Job Title: Head of Catteries Hours: 40 hours per week, to include weekends and bank holidays on a rota basis Responsible To: Head of Centre Operations Works With/Key Contact: Operations Managers across all three sites, HR/L&D team, Systems & Data Analyst, Clinic Teams, Facilities, Department Heads, external contacts and stakeholders Location: London, with regular travel to Brands Hatch and Old Windsor sites Duration: 12 months fixed term contract (maternity cover) from 1 st January 2018 Responsible For (direct reports): Cattery Manager Feline Welfare Manager Cattery Team Leaders across all sites Salary: 39,600 per annum Context and Background Established in 1860, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home aims aim to never turn away a dog or cat in need of our help, caring for them until their owners or loving new homes can be found, no matter how long it takes. We are champions for, and supporters of, vulnerable dogs and cats, determined to create lasting changes for animals in our society. We currently operate from three centres in Battersea London, Old Windsor in Berkshire and Brands Hatch in Kent. Every year, we care for over 7,000 dogs and cats. The Home s current three-year Cat Strategy is intended to deliver standards of care and service delivery in line with an organisation of excellence, ensuring catteries across all three sites work collaboratively and effectively, increasing the profile and performance of catteries and establishing a One Battersea cattery operating model. This role sits within the Operations Directorate, which is responsible for delivering the highest standards of animal welfare and care for every dog and cat in their journey through the Home, from reception, to intake, assessment and then to rehoming. Main Purpose of the Role Responsible for all functions of the Home s catteries, including the management, development, and oversight of the three catteries and their teams, representing Battersea on various initiatives and partnerships, and improving feline welfare on the widest scale.

Overall Objectives To drive and oversee the implementation of the Home s cat strategy, leading to growth in line with our strategic objectives. To lead the delivery of the highest standards of feline welfare and customer service across the Home s catteries. To lead a team of cattery managers and team leaders, empowering, motivating and developing individuals to achieve their full potential. To be a knowledgeable expert and advocate on issues relating to feline welfare and the management of cats. Responsibilities Approx % of time Provide leadership, guidance and coaching to empower the Home s cattery teams to 20% meet strategic objectives. Ensure the effective day to day operation of the Home s catteries across our three sites. Implement new initiatives to resolve operational challenges within all functions of the Home s catteries. Manage the development and implementation of Home-wide feline welfare and operational Quality Standards and Standard Operating Procedures. Continuously review and update SOPs to reflect evolving best practice and operational requirements. Work closely with the Head of Centre Operations, with support of Operations Managers across the Home, to plan, develop and implement the Home s cat strategy. Assess performance by analysing data against key performance indicators. Oversee the design, development and delivery of training to all staff and volunteers, in conjunction with the Feline Welfare Manager and Learning & Development Team. Line manage direct reports, leading by example, setting and monitoring standards and objectives and ensuring that they maintain a visible, frontline presence. Develop the team and promote behaviours in line with the Home s values and high standards of performance. Establish and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, identifying opportunities for collaboration to extend Battersea s influence and geographic reach. Represent the Home at various sector groups, working to effectively improve feline welfare in the UK. Advise the Home on trends and new developments in feline welfare, rescue and rehoming. Maintaining an up to date knowledge of animals within the Home, ensuring each cat s 5% journey through the Home is as quick as possible. When required, make decisions on the suitability of individual cats for rehoming. Deal promptly and professionally with escalated customer issues as appropriate, always <5% working towards a positive outcome for both cats and customers. Contribute to the development of the Operations budget and manage its administration. <5% Act as the Duty Manager at any of the three sites as required <5% 20% 10% 15% 15% 10% The above job description is intended to be an outline of the duties and responsibilities for this role. This is not an exhaustive list, and it is likely to change over time. You may be expected to undertake other duties that are commensurate with this role and grade.

Decision Making and Accountabilities Decisions Deciding what activities or interventions are appropriate in order to develop and implement the Home s Cat Strategy Responsible for the decision making process used to manage cats in our care, including welfare and temperament assessments, and determining if a cat is suitable for rehoming. Deciding what is best practice in the management of cats across the Home. Accountability Accountable for ensuring those working with our cats do so within the Home s best practice guidelines. Accountability (shared at BOW and BBH with the Centre Managers) for the performance of the cattery teams at all sites, ensuring the highest levels of animal welfare and customer service are being delivered at all times. Accountable for ensuring cats are behaviourally suitable for rehoming, and that they are going to an environment that meets their individual welfare needs. Accountable for allocating resources within cattery budgets. Person Specification Essential Significant knowledge of the management of cats in a rescue environment, and relevant cat legislation Proven experience of cat behaviour, including new and developing methods of assessing Extensive experience of successfully recruiting, motivating, leading and developing high performing and customer facing teams, including setting clearly defined objectives and managing performance Proven experience of successfully developing and implementing operational strategy that focuses on best practice, efficiency, growth and continuous improvement. Extensive experience of positively embracing and adapting to change by identifying, leading, and managing change in line with organisational objectives. Extensive experience of a flexible and practical approach to managing and prioritising a high workload with multiple complex issues and task in a changing environment with tight deadlines. Excellent presentation skills and experience of delivering to a range of audiences. Extensive experience of designing and reporting on KPIs relevant to the role Demonstrable experience of working in a collaborative way with a wide range of teams Experience of designing and implementing training plans Proven experience in developing, implementing and managing project plans Proven experience of establishing strong, credible and influential working relationships with senior colleagues and external stakeholders Experience of keeping up to date with and applying good practice in your role and encouraging those that you manage to do the same Strong interpersonal and consultative skills, including the ability to communicate, present, negotiate, influence and build credibility with colleagues and external parties Excellent written and spoken English Financially aware and numerate, with experience of managing budgets IT literate with good experience of MS Office and other relevant IT systems as appropriate for the role Able to promote an understanding of, and a commitment to the vision, mission and values of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home Desirable

Relevant animal qualification. Experience of working with the media and acting as a spokesperson in print and broadcast. Position in the team Director of Operations Head of Volunteering and Fostering Head of Centre Operations Head of Canine Behaviour Centre Manager (London) Head of Catteries Centre Manager (BOW) Centre Manager (BBH) Cattery Manager (London) RWM (BOW) RWM (BBH) Team Leader (BOW) Team Leader (BBH) Feline Welfare Manager RWA Level 3 (BBH) Feline Welfare Advisor

General information The Home is an equal opportunities employer and all employees are actively encouraged to contribute to the promotion of diversity. All employees are required to act in accordance with their responsibilities under the Health & Safety at Work Act. Data protection We manage your personal data in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. By applying for this job you consent to our processing your data, including sensitive data (such as data relating to your health or criminal convictions), for this purpose. You have the right to ask for a copy of your information and to correct any inaccuracies. For more information please visit our website (https://www.battersea.org.uk/ ) scroll to the bottom of the Homepage and click on Cookie and Privacy Policy. Working at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home Please note that all offers of employment require: References deemed satisfactory to the Home Medical clearance via our occupational health team Proof of eligibility to work in the UK All new employees to the Home will be subject to a probationary period. We are unable to allow staff to bring their own dogs with them to work. The Home offers our employees a wide range of benefits to reward them for the value that they bring to the Home. Please click here for more information. We look forward to receiving your application!