Receptionist & Administration Assistant

Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH); Newport; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 20,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

38–43 days holiday (FT equivalent)

Wellbeing programmes

GP access via MetLife

Health cash plan

Life assurance

Pension with employer contribution

CPD/personal development support

Employee discounts

Annual volunteer days

Job summary

Blue Cross in Newport is seeking a Reception and Administration Assistant to be the welcoming face of the Rehoming Centre. You will manage front-of-house, handle admin tasks, stock and pet movement coordination, and cash handling while delivering excellent client service.

The role requires empathy, resilience, and strong organisation in a busy environment. It is a permanent, part-time position on a 2-week rota with weekend coverage as outlined.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Be the welcoming face and backbone of the Rehoming Centre front of house.
• Greet clients, manage front-of-house operations and ensure branding is followed.
• Perform admin tasks, stock management, and pet movement coordination.
• Handle cash and daily cash reconciliation.
• Engage with clients in person/phone/digital channels; provide support.
• Collaborate across departments to improve client service and processes.

Skills

Reception experience

Customer service

Verbal & written communication

Cash handling

Administrative skills

Driving licence

Education

NVQ Level 2/3 in Customer Care

Job description

Blue Cross

Location: Newport

Salary: £17,484

Hours: 26.25

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 27 September 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.

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.