Receptionist & Administration Assistant

Blue Cross For Pets; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Part time

Job summary

A pet welfare organization in Ipswich is seeking a part-time Receptionist & Administration Assistant. The role involves providing exceptional customer service and managing administrative tasks at the rehoming centre. You will engage with clients and collaborate with colleagues to enhance client experiences. Ideal candidates will have strong interpersonal and organizational skills. The position offers a supportive environment along with a generous benefits package including healthcare and holiday allowance.

Benefits

38 days holiday rising to 43 with service

Health cash plan

Unlimited access to an employee assistance programme

Pension scheme with enhanced employer contribution

Professional fees paid for CPD

Recognition scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in delivering high level reception service in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong administration skills including the use of computerised systems.
• Experience of dealing with the public through various channels.

Responsibilities

• Manage administrative tasks including pet movement coordination and cash handling.
• Engage with clients in person, over the phone, and online.
• Collaborate with colleagues to optimize client service.

Skills

Empathy

Resilience

Problem-solving

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Customer Care

Job description

Receptionist & Administration Assistant

Application Deadline: 12 October 2025

Department: Rehoming & Fostering Services

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Suffolk

Reporting To: Assistant Manager – Client Services

Compensation: £23,993 / year

Description

Contract: Permanent, part time, 4 days (30 hours)

Salary: £23,993 FTE

Location: Ipswich IP2 8NQ

Closing date: Sunday 12 October 2025

Interview date: Friday 24 October 2025

Join our team as a Reception and Administration Assistant at our rehoming centre in Suffolk!

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 team, 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.

Working pattern

This is a part-time role, working 30 hours a week over four days on the following working pattern:

Week 1: Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Friday

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. Interested? Then apply and let’s work together to see if 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.

Knowledge, 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.

It would be great (but not essential) if you also had:

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

For more information about this rewarding role, please take a look at the attached job description.

How to apply

Click the apply button below and complete the online application process before the closing date on Sunday 12 October 2025.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response.

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.

Our generous benefits package includes:

• 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.