Animal jobs in United Kingdom

Location: Exeter, Devon
Hours: Full-Time, 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £33,000 per annum
Reports to: CEO

Little Valley Animal Shelter is an independent, self-funded branch of the RSPCA, forming the Devon Branch. Based just outside Exeter, we have been supporting animals in need for over 180 years and have been located at Little Valley since 1990.

We are dedicated to providing high standards of welfare, compassionate care, and appropriate rehabilitation until animals are ready for rehoming. Our team includes around 50 staff members and over 100 volunteers working across the shelter and our charity shops throughout Devon.

We are seeking a proactive, skilled, and experienced Facilities & Maintenance Manager to lead the maintenance and facilities operations across our animal shelter and retail estate. The postholder will ensure that all buildings, grounds, utilities, and equipment are safe, compliant, and well-maintained—providing a high-quality environment for animals, staff, volunteers, and visitors.

This role includes line-management responsibility for the Maintenance Coordinator.

Leadership & Management

• Provide day-to-day supervision, support, and guidance to the Maintenance Coordinator.
• Allocate, schedule, and prioritise maintenance and facilities tasks.
• Conduct performance reviews and support training and development.
• Oversee and coordinate contractors, ensuring safe working practices and minimal disruption.
• Respond promptly to urgent maintenance issues to minimise disruption.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties within capability as required.
• Oversee all aspects of facilities management across the shelter and retail shops, including buildings, utilities, grounds, and infrastructure.
• Ensure full statutory compliance including fire safety, legionella control, electrical compliance, and asbestos management.
• Lead planned preventative maintenance (PPM) programmes for all buildings and assets.
• Manage security systems including alarms, CCTV, access control, and key distribution.
• Oversee waste management, recycling, clinical waste, and environmental sustainability initiatives.
• Ensure external grounds are safe and well maintained.
• Support facilities requirements for events and operational activities.
• Oversee the condition of kennels, cattery, small animal areas, office spaces, staff facilities, and retail shops.
• Ensure asset integrity and hygiene standards suitable for animal welfare environments.
• Respond promptly to repair needs and ensure minimal operational disruption.
• Maintain ventilation, drainage, heating, and specialist systems essential for animal wellbeing.

Budget Management

• Assist with the preparation and management of the maintenance and facilities budget.
• Monitor expenditure and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Obtain competitive quotes ensuring good value and high-quality work.

Emergency Preparedness & Response

• Lead emergency planning for fire, flood, utilities failures, and building damage.
• Act as key contact for urgent issues, arranging out-of-hours contractor attendance when necessary.
• Work closely with senior management and the Retail Team to ensure facilities meet operational needs.
• Liaise with external service providers, inspectors, and regulatory bodies as appropriate.
• Maintain strong relationships with staff and volunteers.

Reporting & Record Keeping

• Maintain accurate maintenance, inspection, compliance, and asset management records.
• Provide updates, reports, and recommendations to the CEO/Trustees.
• Ensure digital and paper-based logs meet required standards.

Technical & Professional

• Significant experience in maintenance and/or facilities management within a multi-building, multi-site or operationally complex environment (e.g., animal care, charity, education, healthcare, commercial facilities).
• A solid understanding of statutory compliance requirements, including fire safety, legionella control, electrical safety, asbestos management, workplace health & safety, and building-related regulations.
• Demonstrable experience in planned preventative maintenance (PPM) and reactive maintenance coordination.
• Proven ability to work safely, including strong knowledge of risk assessments, safe systems of work, and contractor management.

Operational & Management

• Experience supervising staff or contractors, with the ability to motivate, direct and support others.
• Strong organisational skills, including the ability to prioritise multiple tasks, manage time effectively, and respond flexibly to unexpected issues.
• Experience managing and monitoring maintenance/facilities budgets, sourcing quotes, and evaluating value for money.

Problem-Solving & Communication

• Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to diagnose issues, propose solutions, and make sound decisions under pressure.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to document compliance, maintain accurate records, and produce clear reports.

IT & Administrative

• Confident using IT systems including Word, Excel, Outlook and ideally digital maintenance or compliance tracking tools

Personal Attributes

• A practical, hands-on approach with a high level of initiative and reliability.
• Calm under pressure and able to respond quickly to unexpected issues.
• Demonstrable commitment to animal welfare and alignment with the values of RSPCA Little Valley.
• A full UK driving licence.

Technical & Professional

• A recognised qualification in a relevant trade (e.g., electrical, plumbing, carpentry, heating systems, construction or building services).
• IOSH/NEBOSH qualification or equivalent health & safety training.
• Experience managing or supporting facilities in an animal welfare, veterinary, agricultural or similarly regulated environment.

Personal Attributes

• Ability to build positive relationships across teams, including volunteers and external partners.
• Strong attention to detail, particularly around compliance, record-keeping and safety-critical tasks.
• Flexibility to support occasional events, out-of-hours issues, or emergency call-outs.

• 29 days annual leave including bank holidays and a birthday day off, rising with long service
• NEST pension scheme with employer contribution
• Occupational sick pay
• Health Assured wellbeing scheme
• Training support relevant to the role
• Uniform provided
• Free on-site parking
• Discounted PetPlan pet insurance
• Use of company vehicle for shelter business

This job description reflects the current requirements of the role and may adapt as the needs of the shelter evolve.

How to apply:
Please apply via email with your CV, covering letter AND application form to fgofton@rspca-littlevalley.org.uk
Closing date: This position will close as soon as we are able to fill this position. Please submit your application as soon as possible.