Community Operations Volunteer Team Leader
Location: Remote – covering Strathspey & Cairngorms; you must be based in this area or commutable distance within 1 hour
Work pattern: 35 hours per week to include frequent evenings, early mornings and weekends when required, Minimum 1 weekend out of 2.
Salary: Up to £28,454.94 per year
Contract: 12-month fixed term
This role requires a Disclosure Scotland Level 1 check.
We are the UK’s largest cat welfare charity. All over the country, our passionate employees, volunteers and supporters are using their kindness and expertise to make life better for millions of cats and the people who care for them.
Will you join us and make life better for cats?
Responsibilities of our Community Operations Volunteer Team Leader:
Promote coordinate and lead on all aspects of volunteering within Cats Protection across a designated geographical region, with a focus on community-based and field delivery
This role is hand-on and expected to undertake feral cat Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate and Return (TNVR) and Community Engagement
Play a key role in building and maintaining a strong, motivated team of volunteers who support the regions day-to-day TNVR operations and community engagement activities. The role is partnering with the Saving Scottish Wildcats programme
Work independently but closely with local Branch Network and other internal teams, identify volunteer needs, coordinate rotas, and adapt support to suit changing priorities. It will also involve promoting volunteering opportunities locally to attract a diverse range of people and strengthen community ties
About the Community Operations team:
Community Operations is responsible for delivering Cats Protection's frontline cat welfare services across the UK.
The team works through a network of Cat Centres, Branches and Community Volunteer Teams, ensuring cats and owners can access support within their local communities.
Community Operations leads the delivery of key cat welfare activities, including rehoming, neutering, fostering, welfare support, and owner advice.
Working collaboratively with volunteers, employees and external partners, the team helps Cats Protection achieve its mission of improving the lives of cats and the people who care for them.
The team supports a large and diverse volunteer community, providing leadership, governance, operational oversight and development opportunities to ensure services are delivered safely, effectively and in line with Cats Protection's values.
In 2024, Cats Protection helped over 191,000 cats and kittens across the UK through its various welfare services, and helped neuter over 250k cats in the last 18 months
What we’re looking for in our Community Operations Volunteer Team Leader:
A full, driving license and access to your own vehicle is essential as travel in the region is required
Proven team leader/supervisory experience
Understanding and experience of supervising volunteers is a must!
Experience of working in community-based roles or remote environments
Experience in conservation, fieldwork, or wildlife programmes
Experience in hands-on feral cat Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate and Return (TNVR) and community engagement
What we can offer you:
Health and wellbeing support to help you stay well while working remotely
Flexible working options to support a healthy work–life balance
Ongoing learning and development to help you build your skills and grow your career
26 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with service
A competitive contributory pension scheme and life assurance for peace of mind
Financial wellbeing support, including access to Salary Finance
Additional support such as eye care vouchers and confidential employee advice services
Access to discounted pet insurance to help care for your pet’s health
Please note, we do not accept applications or speculative CVs from agencies.
Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment. Please note, applications received after the closing date may not be responded to.
If you’re enthusiastic about this opportunity but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway and demonstrate how your experience is transferrable. You may be just the right candidate.
If successful, your recruitment journey will include:
anonymised application form
virtual interview on Microsoft Teams
Please note, the process may change slightly dependent on application numbers. We will inform you of any relevant changes.
Please email recruitment@cats.org.uk if you require any adjustments to be made for you to complete your application or to participate in the recruitment journey.
We operate a bias-free application process in our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. To assess your application quickly, fairly and objectively, please fully complete the qualifications and work history sections of our online application form.
Redacted CVs may be accepted by exception.
We believe being an inclusive, diverse organisation - where we welcome diversity of thought, value individuals' experience and can reach and partner all areas of society - is crucial if we're to help more cats. Our ambition is to work together to promote a more inclusive environment, which attracts all candidates and signals our commitment to celebrate and promote diversity.
There’s a place for everyone at Cats Protection and we encourage applications from talented people across all communities.
Cats Protection is committed to safeguarding children and adults at risk and protecting anyone that comes into contact with us from harm. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. You may be subject to a criminal record check if required for the role.