Head of Dog Training and Client Services

Support Dogs; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Support Dogs is seeking a Head of Dog Training and Client Services in Sheffield to lead the Training Department and its Puppy Development, Dog Supply, Instructor Services and Client Services functions. You will shape strategy, develop teams and ensure outstanding support for beneficiaries and assistance dogs.

Reporting to the CEO, you will drive performance, quality and innovation across programmes and services while maintaining high welfare and client care standards.

Qualifications

• Significant experience of leading and developing teams.
• Strong organisational and leadership skills.
• Experience managing complex operational services.
• Strategic thinker with operational oversight.
• Budget and resource management experience.
• Commitment to client care, service delivery and animal welfare.
• Qualifications and experience within animal behaviour or canine training.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction across training and client services.
• Lead and develop senior departmental staff.
• Drive strategic development of services and programmes.
• Ensure high standards of dog welfare, training and client support.
• Oversee departmental performance, quality assurance and compliance.
• Contribute to strategic direction as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
• Prepare reports and recommendations for the CEO and Board of Trustees.
• Promote continuous improvement, collaboration and excellence.

Skills

Team leadership

Strategic planning

Budget management

Stakeholder engagement

Operational management

Animal welfare knowledge

Education

Animal behaviour / canine training background

Job description

Head of Dog Training and Client Services

Full time - 37.5 hours pw | £45,000 - £50,000 per annum

Location: Support Dogs, Herries Road South, Sheffield S6 1QS

About Support Dogs

Support Dogs is a national charity dedicated to transforming the lives of people living with autism, epilepsy, and physical disabilities through the training and provision of specialist assistance dogs. For over 30 years, we have been creating life-changing partnerships that increase independence, confidence, and quality of life for our beneficiaries and their families.

This is an exciting time to join Support Dogs. As the charity continues to grow and expand its impact, we have recently moved into new premises and are actively developing the site to create a centre of excellence for assistance dog training and service delivery. These enhanced facilities will provide exciting opportunities to introduce new initiatives, strengthen our programmes, and improve the experience for our beneficiaries, volunteers, dogs, and staff. We are looking for passionate and talented individuals who want to be part of this exciting period of growth and help shape the future of the organisation.

About the Role – Head of Dog Training and Client Services

We are seeking an experienced, inspirational and forward-thinking Head of Dog Training & Client Services to lead one of the charity's most important service areas.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and forming part of the Senior Leadership Team, this role provides strategic and operational leadership across our Training Department, including Puppy Development, Dog Supply, Instructor Services and Client Services functions.

This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated individual to shape the future of our training and client services, lead a dedicated team of professionals, and ensure the highest standards of support for both our beneficiaries andassistancedogs.

As Head of Dog Training & Client Services, you will be responsible for the overall leadership, performance and development of the Training Department.

You will work closely with senior staff to ensure the successful delivery of ourassistancedog programmes, while driving continuous improvement,innovationand organisational growth.

The role combines strategic leadership with operational oversight and is ideal for someone who is passionate about achieving excellent outcomes for both people and dogs.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction across all training and client service functions.
• Lead,supportand develop senior departmental staff.
• Drive the strategic development of services and programmes.
• Ensure the highest standards of dog welfare,trainingand client support.
• Oversee departmental performance, qualityassuranceand compliance.
• Develop andmaintaineffective partnerships with stakeholders and sector organisations.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of the charity as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
• Prepare reports and recommendations for the CEO and Board of Trustees.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement,collaborationand excellence.

About You

We are looking for an experienced leader who can inspire others while delivering high-quality services in a demanding and rewarding environment.

You will have:

• Significant experienceof leading and developing teams.
• Strong organisational, communication and leadership skills.
• Experience of managing complex operational services.
• The ability to think strategically whilemaintainingoperational oversight.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience of managing budgets and resources.
• A commitment tohigh standardsof client care, servicedeliveryand animal welfare.
• Qualifications and experience within animal behaviour, caninetrainingor a related field.

Experience within theassistancedog, animal welfare or charity sector would beadvantageous.

Why Join Support Dogs?

This is an opportunity to make a genuine difference to people's lives every day.

You will join a passionate and committed team, working within a respected national charity that provides life-changing assistancedogs and support services across the UK.

In return, we offer:

• A rewarding and varied leadership role.
• The opportunity to influence the future direction of services.
• A supportive and collaborative working environment.
• Ongoing professional development opportunities.
• The chance to make a lasting impact on the lives of our beneficiaries and their families.

Join us and help create life-changing partnerships between people andassistancedogs.

Equality, Diversity and Safeguarding

Support Dogs is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

Support Dogs is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appropriate pre-employment checks will be undertaken for the successful candidate.

Support Dogs 2023. Registered Charity No. 1088281.