The role of the Dog Training Manager is to support the development and training of Hearing Dog puppies to become future life changers.
The ability to develop and train dogs using the skills of our volunteers is essential so we are looking for someone who finds value in working with both people and dogs and is driven by the overall goal to help train more dogs for deaf people.
You will need resilience and a high degree of efficiency to be a successful Dog Training Manager and hold a full clean UK driving licence
- Lead, motivate and support a team of up to 6 staff overseeing 60 dogs and 120 volunteers. Ensuring the team are clear and orientated towards their team targets, dealing with delays, challenges and issues proactively.
- Support the personal and professional development of the team, implementing the departmental L&D programme, empowering people to become effective problem solvers, supporting career progression and delivery of CPD where relevant.
- Provide constructive feedback relevant to performance and delivery, management of day-to-day personnel issues, implementation of performance improvement plans if required.
- Be responsible for reaching productivity targets, delivering these on time and of the appropriate standard, ensuring each dog achieves the best possible outcome.
- Carry out regular standards checks and assessments on the dogs; area managers are accountable for the quality of training in their region.
- Manag resources required for optimum productivity, including volunteer numbers, intakes of puppies, appropriate client matching and placement delivery. Allowing for a smooth pipeline of dogs of the right ages and stages in the region.
- Maintain a positive, collaborative and solution focused attitude amongst training team staff. This includes working cross departmentally, working collaboratively on areas such as volunteer recruitment, client matching and dog placement.
- Be responsible for accurate planning, data management and data collection on dogs and volunteers in the region.
- Highlight issues to your line manager which may impact the team. For example, volunteer concerns, client issues or dog delays.
- Supervise and sign off that each client match is appropriate during the matching process and onward, until the handover of the dog to the Partnership Team.
- Be responsible for monitoring the progress of dog placement courses and communicating updates to relevant staff and volunteers in a positive and timely manner.
- Support with staff recruitment into the team, shortlisting candidates, planning and leading interviews and coordinating staff arrivals into the team.
- Support staff with kit management and and other resources, ensuring equipment is maintained in good condition with minimal waste.
- Attend regular team meetings to discuss, share and review performance and to identify improvement opportunities.
- Communicate, work collaboratively, support and share learning with all members of Services.
- Create an environment to encourage empowerment and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Interact with and monitor specific social media platforms relating to hearing dogs as requested.
- Provide content and imagery about training dogs for fundraising and comms when requested.
- Ensure cleanliness and tidiness of working environment and vehicles reporting any maintenance requirements as appropriate.
- Attend fundraising, volunteering and operational events as a representative of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. Act as an ambassador for the team and the Charity including involvement with publicity activities.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential. Ability to communicate effectively on a one-to-one basis and between departments Strong management skills to lead diverse staff members and create a dynamic and productive team is essential. An interest in team culture development is desirable.
Interpersonal skills
Work successfully and diplomatically with staff at all levels of the Charity, Volunteers, clients & the public. Awareness of the needs of lip readers and able to adapt communication appropriately when required
Organisational skills
Excellent critical thinking, planning and organisational skills are essential. This is a varied and multi-skilled role, the ability to organise one’s self and prioritise the workload is extremely important All roles within the manager’s team will need to have strong time management & prioritisation skills in order to deliver their roles effectively, therefore the area manager needs to be skilled in instilling this practise with diverse staff.
Dog behaviour/training
Knowledge of canine behaviour and training techniques is essential. Must have a proven track record of theoretical and practical experience and an understanding of learning theory.
Information Technology skills
IT competency is essential
Other
A full clean manual driving licence
If this sounds like you, then we would love to hear from you.
Please click below to apply – applications close on 3rd July 2026.
Please mention Jobs With Animals when applying for this role.