Reception And Administration Assistant

Blue Cross; Newport; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 21,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday entitlement

Wellbeing programmes

Private GP access

Health cash plan

Employee assistance programme

Pension scheme

Professional development support

Life assurance

Family-friendly policies

Retail discounts

Job summary

Blue Cross is seeking a Reception and Administration Assistant in Newport to be the welcoming face and administrative backbone of our Rehoming Centre. You will greet clients, handle enquiries in person, over the phone and online, and keep front-of-house operations efficient and friendly.

You will support stock management, pet movement coordination and cash handling while upholding Blue Cross branding and standards. Collaboration across teams and volunteers is essential.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering high level reception service in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience dealing with the public via phone, email and in person.
• Solid administration skills and use of computerised systems.

Responsibilities

• Greet clients and manage a welcoming front-of-house area.
• Handle administrative tasks, stock management, pet movement coordination and cash handling.
• Maintain up-to-date materials and Blue Cross branding across front desk.
• Analyse visitor feedback and support training of staff and volunteers.

Skills

Reception experience

Customer service

Verbal & written communication

Cash handling

Stock management

Driving licence

Education

NVQ Level 2/3 in Customer Care

Job description

Contract: Permanent, part-time, 26.25 hours per week

Location: Newport, NP18 2LH

Interview date: 6 & 7 October 2026

Join our team as a Reception and Administration Assistant at our rehoming, advice and behaviour unit in Newport!

Are you passionate about providing exceptional customer service and administrative support that makes a real difference? Here's your chance to become an integral part of our Blue Cross family, where you'll play a crucial role in delivering our mission to help more pets in need.

More about the role

As our Reception and Administration Assistant, you'll be the welcoming face and organisational backbone of our Rehoming Centre. From greeting clients with a warm smile to ensuring our administrative processes run smoothly, you'll be at the heart of everything we do.

In this role, you'll engage with clients in person, over the phone, and through digital channels, providing them with non-judgemental support and assistance. You'll maintain a clean and inviting front of house environment, ensuring all materials are up-to-date and in line with Blue Cross branding. You'll manage administrative tasks efficiently, including stock management, pet movement coordination, and cash handling.

Your collaboration with colleagues across departments will be essential as you work together to deliver outstanding client service and optimise administrative processes. Collecting and analysing visitor feedback, you'll continuously strive for excellence and contribute to the training and development of team members and volunteers, sharing your expertise and fostering growth.

This role is available on a permanent, part-time basis working on a 2 week rota. The rota is as follows:

Week 1: Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday

Week 2: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday

If you excel in an environment where you can see the difference you make every day, then this is the role for you.

About you

We're looking for someone who demonstrates empathy, resilience, and a positive mindset, even in emotionally charged environments. Thriving in a diverse, fast-paced environment, you enjoy taking on new challenges and excel in problem-solving, organisation, and attention to detail.

Essential Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

• Experience in delivering high level reception service in a fast paced and often emotional environment.
• Good standard of verbal and written communication.
• Experience of dealing with the public, managing enquiries by phone, email enquiries and face-to-face.
• Strong administration skills, including the use of computerised systems.
• Experience of handling and managing cash and spreadsheets.
• Current full driving licence.

Desirable Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

• NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Customer Care
• Experience of working in a similar role or working in a pet welfare role/environment.
• Experience working with volunteers.
• Experience of working with the public
• Experience of public speaking
• An understanding for the voluntary sector
• Experience of working in a team and mentoring others
• Understanding of safeguarding issues.

Benefits

• Full time equivalent of 38 days holiday rising to 43 with service (including Bank Holidays)
• Programmes for physical and mental wellbeing support
• Free access to GP via MetLife- 24/7 GP services, private prescriptions and more for you and your family
• Health cash plan
• Unlimited access to an employee assistance programme
• Pension scheme with enhanced employer contribution
• Professional fees paid with Continuing Professional Development and personal development support.
• Life assurance
• Enhanced family friendly policies
• Charity worker discounts across a variety of retailers

To read more about the benefits Blue Cross has to offer, please visit the 'why work for us' page on our website.

If you'd like to learn more about Blue Cross, our mission, and the work we do to support animals and people, take a look at our About Us page