Paid Vacancies

Job description includes: 

Oxfordshire Wildlife Rescue (registered charity 1194050) is committed to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of British wildlife that is sick, injured or orphaned. We believe that every patient matters.

All staff and volunteers are expected to work in accordance with OWR policies, procedures and agreed working practices, as well as all relevant legislation and professional guidance. The welfare needs of animals in our care must remain central to all decisions and activities.

Job title:    Hospital Manager

Job purpose:    To be responsible for the safe, effective and efficient day-to-day running of OWR’s Wildlife Casualty and Rehabilitation Centre, ensuring high standards of animal welfare and enabling OWR to meet its charitable aim of relieving suffering, preserving life where humanely possible, and rehabilitating native British wildlife for release.

Reports to:    OWR CEO

Responsible for:    Centre staff, volunteers and seconded professionals, with appropriate management oversight of veterinary personnel in conjunction with the CEO.

Main Responsibilities:

Leadership and People Management
•    Manage and lead the Centre team, including paid staff, volunteers and seconded professionals, to ensure consistent standards of animal care and effective coordination of the workforce.

•    Develop and support staff and volunteers through appropriate supervision, regular reviews, induction, training and continuing professional development.

•    Identify training and development requirements and, in conjunction with the CEO where appropriate, develop and implement suitable training programmes.

•    Maintain and develop the Centre Hospital Manager’s own professional knowledge and undertake relevant continuing professional development.

•    Lead the recruitment and retention of Centre staff and volunteers and support appropriate recruitment and induction processes.

•    Ensure that there is appropriate, safe and competent staffing cover for the Centre. Create and manage rotas that balance the operational needs of the Centre, animal welfare, staff wellbeing and the resources available to the charity.

•    Address performance, conduct or working-practice concerns promptly and appropriately, escalating matters to the CEO where required.

Animal Welfare and Centre Operations

•    Ensure consistently high standards of animal care, rehabilitation and welfare throughout the Centre.

•    Ensure that Centre activities are carried out in accordance with relevant legislation, professional guidance, OWR policies, procedures and agreed working practices.

•    Undertake regular quality, welfare and operational reviews across the Centre, identifying concerns and ensuring appropriate corrective action is taken.

•    Ensure appropriate escalation of serious animal welfare, clinical or operational concerns.

•    Ensure that activities requiring veterinary judgement, direction or authorisation remain within the appropriate professional remit.

•    Support appropriate infection-control, biosecurity and emergency procedures within the Centre.

•    Be actively involved in the continuous improvement of the Centre, its facilities and its working methods.

Administration, Finance and Resources


•    Lead and support the reception function, ensuring that callers and visitors receive accurate, relevant and courteous advice.

•    Ensure that opportunities to encourage donations or other support for OWR are communicated appropriately without compromising the primary purpose of casualty advice and animal welfare.

•    Ensure that patient, donor, Gift Aid, cash-book and other relevant Centre records are completed accurately, appropriately stored and managed in accordance with applicable data-protection requirements.

•    Manage the Centre’s agreed budget, monitor expenditure and ensure purchases are necessary, appropriate and cost-conscious.

•    Plan significant or additional expenditure with the CEO and/or Board of Trustees as appropriate.

•    Ensure that medical, animal-care and other Centre supplies are ordered and maintained at appropriate levels.

•    Ensure that rescue equipment, including equipment held in OWR vehicles, ambulances and grab bags, is appropriately stocked, maintained and available for use.

Health, Safety and Risk Management

•    Ensure that appropriate health and safety requirements and safe working practices are followed throughout the Centre.

•    Identify unsafe or inappropriate working practices and take prompt corrective action.

•    Ensure relevant health and safety risk assessments and reviews are completed and kept up to date.

•    Develop, maintain and regularly review a Centre Risk Register, escalating significant risks to the CEO and/or Board of Trustees as appropriate.

•    Ensure that incidents, accidents, near misses and other significant operational concerns are appropriately recorded, reviewed and escalated.

Organisational and External Relationships

•    Develop and maintain effective working relationships across OWR, including with Centre staff and volunteers, the CEO, trustees, advisers and other relevant personnel.

•    Develop constructive external relationships with relevant professionals, organisations, supporters and other stakeholders where these support the work and objectives of OWR.

•    Work with the CEO and trustees, where appropriate, to develop, review and improve OWR policies, procedures and working practices.

•    Represent OWR at appropriate meetings, fundraising events and other external engagements when required, and assist in producing relevant supporting information such as case studies and photographs.

•    Attend Board, management and other relevant meetings as required.

•    Uphold OWR’s values and maintain high standards of professional conduct, integrity and behaviour that protect the reputation of the charity.

Other Duties

•    Undertake any other duties reasonably required for the effective operation of OWR’s animal care and rescue facilities.

This job description is not exhaustive and may be reviewed and amended as the needs of Oxfordshire Wildlife Rescue develop, following appropriate consultation.