Assistant Manager - Off-site Services (Horses)

Contract: Full time 37.5 hours per week

Salary: £25,787 - £27,047 per annum

Location: Rolleston rehoming centre, DE13 9AU

Closing date: Thursday 16th April 2026

Interview dates: W/C 28th April 2026

The Assistant Manager – Off-site Services will play a key role in delivering the Blue Cross and Horse Rehoming & Fostering strategies, embedding a culture that empowers teams and drives the efficient progression of horses through off-site services, maximising the number of horses we can help.

More about the role

As Assistant Manager, you will support the delivery of the Blue Cross strategy by ensuring the smooth and effective running of all off-site horse care services, including Home Direct, foster yards, horses on loan and the transfer of ownership process. You will create a positive and inclusive culture that engages and motivates your team to deliver high standards of horse welfare, while ensuring services are delivered efficiently, within budget and with a focus on continuous improvement and income generation.

You will play a key role in developing off-site services by identifying opportunities for growth, supporting new ways of working and strengthening partnerships to help Blue Cross support more horses. You will be accountable for achieving horse related targets, leading and motivating a regional team to deliver consistent, high-quality outcomes in line with Blue Cross quality measures and national processes.

Working closely with the Volunteer Coordinator, you will support the expansion of the off-site service through the development of remote volunteer networks, enabling the timely and effective progression of horses through Home Direct, foster care and into ownership. You will oversee the day to day running of operations, applying your knowledge of horse behaviour, welfare and veterinary needs to provide practical support with handling, assessment and training where required, ensuring horses are prepared for adoption as efficiently as possible.

You will work collaboratively with colleagues across admissions, adoptions and onsite teams to optimise outcomes for horses, ensuring foster yards and volunteers are well supported and that horses on loan are managed effectively through to successful transfer of ownership. As a visible representative of Blue Cross, you will place client service at the heart of every interaction and deputise for colleagues when required to ensure continuity of service.

This is full time permanent role based at our Rolleston site.  The working hours are 37.5 per week on a rota which includes weekends and bank holidays.   

For a more detailed look at the role and its requirements, please see the attached job description.

About you

You will be an experienced and inclusive people manager, with a background in a horse-related environment and strong practical knowledge of horse welfare and care. You will understand how to drive performance, improve efficiencies and confidently address underperformance, including having constructive and sometimes difficult conversations.

You will be confident leading a regional team, including managing remote workers and volunteers, and able to develop and empower others through effective management, coaching and clear communication. You will be a positive and adaptable leader, able to manage multiple priorities and make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment.

With strong analytical skills, you will use data and insight to monitor performance and support continuous improvement. You will demonstrate resilience and emotional intelligence, supporting your team and delivering excellent customer service.

Above all, you will be motivated to continually improve off-site services and help Blue Cross achieve its ambition of helping more horses.

Knowledge, skills, and experience

Knowledge, skills, and experience

• Significant experience in managing a team with performance management and improvement experience.
• Experienced in delivering high level client service in a fast-paced environment.
• In depth subject matter expertise and application of horse welfare and handling of horses.
• Experience of working with horses in a range of environments including sound knowledge of horse behaviour and veterinary issues
• High standard of verbal and written communication with IT skills
• Experience of developing, mentoring & coaching/training operational teams.
• Proven decision-making ability, supporting strategic development and growth of services.
• Current full driving license.
• The ability to demonstrate, understand and apply our Blue Cross Values.

Although not essential, it would be great if you also had:

Although not essential, it would be great if you also had:

• Managing remote teams
• Change management experience.
• Delivering training and presenting to large groups.
• Experience working with volunteers.
• Qualifications in management, leadership, or coaching.
• Understanding of safeguarding issues.

How to apply

How to apply

Click the apply button below and complete the online application process before the closing date on