We have an exciting opportunity to join Bristol Animal Rescue Centre as Head of Operations. Full details of this great opportunity are available in the Job Description and Person Specification here.

Job title: Head of Operations

Job type: Part time, permanent

Application closing date: 30 November 2025

Location: Bristol Animal Rescue Centre, 48-50 Albert Road, St Philips, Bristol BS2 0XA

Salary: £45k – £49k (pro rata) depending on experience.

Hours per week: Part time, 28 hours per week (out of 35 hours FTE). To be worked usually within the hours of 8am and 5pm Monday to Friday with consideration of team requirements.

Flexibility in hours required on occasion (e.g. trustee’s meetings 6/pa usually in evening and occasional staff and volunteer meetings outside of standard hours).

About Us:

Our mission is to ensure that animals in need within our community receive the compassion, care and respect they deserve. We are committed to helping, healing and homing animals for as long as they need us.

About the role:

We’re seeking an experienced and motivated Head of Operations to join our Senior Leadership Team and play a central role in shaping and delivering our mission to improve the lives of animals, and the people who care for them.

As Head of Operations, you will lead and coordinate our operational services, including our Animal Home, Veterinary Clinic and Community Pet Support programmes. You’ll also have strategic oversight of facilities management, health and safety and ensure compliance with key regulations and best practices.

You’ll:

Lead, inspire and support a multi-disciplinary team of managers and professionals

Drive strategic and operational excellence across animal welfare services

Ensure effective facilities management and a robust health & safety culture

Deliver strong financial management across operational budgets

Collaborate with colleagues, trustees and partners to achieve Bristol A.R.C.’s charitable aims

This is a wide-ranging and rewarding leadership role where no two days are the same – from supporting rescue and rehoming work, to ensuring our facilities and teams are operating safely and effectively.

About you

You’ll be an experienced senior manager who combines strategic thinking with hands-on operational leadership. You’ll bring:

Proven experience at senior management level, including line management

Strong track record in strategy, project and budget management

Expertise in health & safety, facilities or operations management

Excellent relationship-building, communication and problem-solving skills

A collaborative, proactive and compassionate leadership style

A genuine passion for animal welfare and making a positive impact

Experience in the animal welfare or charity sector would be an advantage, but we welcome applicants from a range of operational backgrounds who share our values.

Application Process:

To apply for this position please complete the online application form which includes a supporting statement outlining how your skills and experience meet the requirements of the role. Please do not send a CV as this will not be considered. Full details of this great opportunity are available in the Job Description and Person Specification here.

Application deadline: midnight on 30 November 2025

Bristol Animal Rescue Centre and Bristol A.R.C. are the working names for RSPCA Bristol & District Branch (a charity registered in England & Wales 205858) and the linked charity the Bristol Dogs and Cats Home (a charity registered in England & Wales 205858-1)

As a charity we try to minimise recruitment costs; if you have not heard from us within three weeks from the closing date of applications please assume that, on this occasion, your application has not been successful.

Job application form (HR)

ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS BRISTOL AND DISTRICT BRANCH

1 role available