Receptionist & Administration Assistant

Contract: Permanent, part time – 30 hours per week Salary:  £19,981 per annum, (£24,976 FTE) Location: Radcliffe, M26 1NQ Closing date:  16th November 2026 Interview date:  25th November 2026 We’re recruiting a part time Reception & Administration Assistant for our Rehoming & Fostering Team in Manchester. Are you passionate about delivering outstanding customer service and administrative support that truly makes a difference? This is your opportunity to become a valued part of the Blue Cross team, where you'll play a key role in advancing our mission to support 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, advice & behaviour unit. 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 30 hours per week; Week 1: Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Friday Week 2: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and 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.
- 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.
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. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response.  
Using AI in your application
We’re happy for you to use AI tools to help you prepare your application, for example to organise your thoughts, improve clarity or check spelling and grammar. However, your application must be an honest reflection of your own skills, experience and achievements, and AI should not be used to write your application for you or create examples that aren’t your own.

Please read our guidance on using AI when applying to Blue Cross (https://www.bluecross.org.uk/applying-to-blue-cross) before submitting your application.

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' (https://www.bluecross.org.uk/why-work-for-us) page on our website.