Regional Community Operations Manager
| Posting date: | 14 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 11 February 2026 |
| Location: | Devon, EX5 2HS |
| Company: | Cats Protection |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | ORG2749-CWO150 |
Summary
Team: Community Operations
Location: Hybrid in the South West covering Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Wiltshire, Dorset and Gloucestershire
Work pattern: 35 hours per week, 9am to 5pm with some weekends and overnight stays as required
Salary: Up to £49,655.50 per year
Contract: Permanent
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 Regional Community Operations Manager:
oversee a defined region and is responsible for operational planning, service delivery, people leadership, and effective resource management within their area of accountability
operate with a strong degree of autonomy, ensuring that day‑to‑day operations run efficiently and consistently with national and regional priorities
act as the primary operational leader and public representative for their region, driving local plans, supporting the implementation of national initiatives, and ensuring that services are delivered to high standards
provide leadership to employees and volunteers across the region, contributing to a positive, inclusive, and high‑performing culture
About the Community Operations team:
Community Operations is responsible for the delivery of all of Cats Protection’s cat facing services
It conducts these services through 31 Cat Centres and over 205 Branches and Community Volunteer Teams
Community Operations helped over 191k cats in 2014 and helped neuter over 250k cats in the last 18 months
The team consists of up to 2000 people, including around 200 employees at our Cat centres and up to 3000 volunteers
What we’re looking for in our Regional Community Operations Manager:
Significant operational leadership experience within the charity, public, or community‑based service sector
A confident communicator with the ability to engage and influence a wide range of stakeholders
Experience managing and delivering complex community‑based services or projects at a regional or local level
Proven line‑management experience of dispersed teams in a fast‑paced, multi‑site environment
Knowledge of the animal welfare sector (including differences across the devolved UK jurisdictions)
Hold valid UK driving licence and access to own vehicle
What we can offer you:
range of health benefits
26 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with length of service
Salary Finance, which empowers you to take control of your financial wellbeing
and much more, which you can learn about here
Interested? Here’s how to apply:
Application closing date: 28 January 2026
Interview date: 11 and 12 February 2026
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
In-person interview with presentation at Devon Cat Centre
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.
Location: Hybrid in the South West covering Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Wiltshire, Dorset and Gloucestershire
Work pattern: 35 hours per week, 9am to 5pm with some weekends and overnight stays as required
Salary: Up to £49,655.50 per year
Contract: Permanent
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 Regional Community Operations Manager:
oversee a defined region and is responsible for operational planning, service delivery, people leadership, and effective resource management within their area of accountability
operate with a strong degree of autonomy, ensuring that day‑to‑day operations run efficiently and consistently with national and regional priorities
act as the primary operational leader and public representative for their region, driving local plans, supporting the implementation of national initiatives, and ensuring that services are delivered to high standards
provide leadership to employees and volunteers across the region, contributing to a positive, inclusive, and high‑performing culture
About the Community Operations team:
Community Operations is responsible for the delivery of all of Cats Protection’s cat facing services
It conducts these services through 31 Cat Centres and over 205 Branches and Community Volunteer Teams
Community Operations helped over 191k cats in 2014 and helped neuter over 250k cats in the last 18 months
The team consists of up to 2000 people, including around 200 employees at our Cat centres and up to 3000 volunteers
What we’re looking for in our Regional Community Operations Manager:
Significant operational leadership experience within the charity, public, or community‑based service sector
A confident communicator with the ability to engage and influence a wide range of stakeholders
Experience managing and delivering complex community‑based services or projects at a regional or local level
Proven line‑management experience of dispersed teams in a fast‑paced, multi‑site environment
Knowledge of the animal welfare sector (including differences across the devolved UK jurisdictions)
Hold valid UK driving licence and access to own vehicle
What we can offer you:
range of health benefits
26 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with length of service
Salary Finance, which empowers you to take control of your financial wellbeing
and much more, which you can learn about here
Interested? Here’s how to apply:
Application closing date: 28 January 2026
Interview date: 11 and 12 February 2026
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
In-person interview with presentation at Devon Cat Centre
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.