Deputy Centre Manager

Cats Protection; Essex; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent animal welfare charity in Essex seeks a Deputy Centre Manager to ensure the welfare of cats and oversee daily operations. Ideal candidates will have supervisory experience, strong communication skills, and knowledge of infectious disease prevention in cats. The role offers health benefits, 26 days of annual leave, and a supportive team environment. Applications close on 15 October 2025.

Benefits

Range of health benefits

26 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays

Salary Finance for financial wellbeing

Qualifications

• Experience within an animal welfare environment is ideal.
• Ability to thrive under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Ensure required employee cover at all times.
• Welfare of all cats in the care facility.
• Plan and direct activities in agreement with the Centre Manager.
• Manage homing and acceptance of cats and kittens.

Skills

Supervisor/team leader experience

Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills

Knowledge of infectious diseases in cats

Full UK manual driving licence

Job description

Overview

Team: Centre

Location: Chelmsford, Essex

Work pattern: 35 hours per week to include weekends

Salary: Up to £27,466.16 per year

Contract: Permanent

This role requires an enhanced DBS check (including the Children\'s Barred List)

We are the UK’s largest cat welfare charity. All over the country, our passionate employees, volunteers and supporters are using their kindness and expertise to make life better for millions of cats and the people who care for them.

Will you join us and make life better for cats?

Responsibilities

• Work with the Centre Manager, ensuring the required level of employee cover at all times and to provide effective cover in the absence of the Manager
• Ensure the welfare of all cats in our care and ensure that all administrative and maintenance procedures are completed to a high standard that is in keeping with our vision.
• Plan and direct the activities of the cat care employees in agreement with the Centre Manager
• Handle the homing and accepting of cats and kittens and ensure completion of the necessary forms and ensure minimum veterinary standards are carried out by a suitably qualified person.

About the centre team

Our adoption and homing centres care for thousands of cats each year until they are able to find a loving new home. Our team is made up of a Centre Manager, Deputy Centre Manager, Senior Rehoming and Welfare Assistant, Rehoming and Welfare Assistants and a Volunteer Team Leader.

What we’re looking for in our Deputy Centre Manager

• Supervisor/team leader experience, ideally within an animal welfare environment or organisation
• A confident communicator with excellent interpersonal and organisational skills.
• Knowledge of the prevention and control of infectious diseases in cats
• A driven, positive and enthusiastic individual with plenty of initiative and the ability to thrive under pressure
• A full UK, manual driving licence as you may on occasion be required to drive centre vans

What we can offer you

• Range of health benefits
• 26 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with length of service
• Salary Finance, which empowers you to take control of your financial wellbeing
• And much more, which you can learn about here

Interested? Here’s how to apply

Application closing date: 15 October 2025

Interview date: 29 October 2025

Please note, we do not accept applications or speculative CVs from agencies. Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment. Please note, applications received after the closing date may not be responded to.

If you’re enthusiastic about this opportunity but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway and demonstrate how your experience is transferable. You may be just the right candidate.

If successful, your recruitment journey will include: anonymised application form, in-person interview at the centre

Please note, the process may change slightly dependent on application numbers. We will inform you of any relevant changes.

Please email [e-mail] if you require any adjustments to be made for you to complete your application or to participate in the recruitment journey.