Reception and Administration Assistant

Blue Cross UK; Newport; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 19,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday allowance

Wellbeing programmes

GP access

Pension scheme

CPD support

Life assurance

Job summary

Blue Cross UK in Newport is seeking a Reception and Administration Assistant to be the welcoming face and backbone of our Rehoming Centre. You will handle front-of-house duties, administrative tasks, stock and cash management, and support collaborators across departments.

You will engage with clients in person, over the phone, and online, delivering non-judgemental support while upholding Blue Cross branding. This permanent, part-time role operates on a 2-week rota.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering high level reception service in a fast paced and often emotional environment.
• Good standard of verbal and written communication.

Responsibilities

• Greet clients at front of house and maintain a welcoming environment.
• Carry out administrative tasks and ensure processes run smoothly.
• Manage stock, pet movement coordination, and cash handling.
• Respond to enquiries by phone, email and face-to-face with professionalism.
• Collaborate with colleagues to improve client service and admin processes.
• Support training and development of volunteers and team members.

Skills

Reception service

Verbal & written communication

Administrative support

Cash handling

Stock management

Full driving licence

Education

NVQ Level 2/3 in Customer Care

Job description

Location: Newport, NP18 2LH

Application Deadline: 27 September 2026

Department: Rehoming & Fostering Services

Location: Newport

Compensation: £17,484 / year

Description

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.

Blue Cross Benefits

Our people are the most important part of delivering our purpose. If it were not for their amazing efforts and commitment, we would not be able to make the difference that we do today. In return, Blue Cross wants to ensure we provide you with the best working environment we can. We want you to be happy working for us and will do everything we can to make sure you are.

• 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
• 20% discount on Pet Plan pet insurance
• Enhanced family friendly policies
• Recognition scheme
• Annual volunteer days
• 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.