Further Information

Job Title: Canine Behaviour Manager

Reporting to: Director of Canine Behaviour and Research

Direct reports:

Canine Behaviour Officer
Veterinary Behaviour Resident
Training and Behaviour Assistant

Location: London Head Office

Revised: April 2017

Summary

Canine behaviour knowledge and practice is central to rehabilitating dogs within our rehoming centres, and for the provision of Dog School training and education classes. Up to date and science led behaviour knowledge also informs a range of other areas of Dogs Trust activity, including campaigns, international projects and the work of the education teams.

Reporting to the Director of Canine Behaviour and Research, the post-holder for this role will be responsible for working collaboratively with colleagues across Dogs Trust to review dog training and behaviour materials and to agree and implement changes.. He or she will have a thorough knowledge of canine behaviour, practical expertise in clinical behaviour and training, the ability to critically evaluate new information and to communicate this in an accessible manner to a range of audiences.

Duties

The Canine Behaviour Manager will be expected to:

Develop and maintain a thorough understanding of Dogs Trust, our mission, ethos and objectives.
Keep up to date with the latest research and clinical practice in canine behaviour and welfare in collaboration with the research and clinical animal behaviour teams. .
Interact with Dogs Trust research team, and contribute specific canine behaviour knowledge in project development or review in projects which are specific to canine behaviour.
Oversee the development and review of support materials, including leaflets and handouts, for use by Dog School teams in agreement with the Head of Dog School.
Manage direct reports including assisting them with administration processes, setting up IT functions, managing the Training and Behaviour website, running inductions and meetings, managing annual leave, booking accommodation and travel and managing expenses. Conduct appraisals according to Dogs Trust policy.
Liaise with the Head of Professional Development in Canine Behaviour and Clinical Animal Behaviourists in providing practical behavioural support as required for field teams in training and behaviour.
Liaise with Veterinary and Operations teams to provide input and advice on specialist training and behaviour policy and practice within rehoming centres.
Maintain an up to date knowledge of Training and Behaviour activity in rehoming centres, alongside the Training and Behaviour Field Manager, and report on achievements and key developments.
Take responsibility for reviewing and developing materials in canine behaviour for rehoming centres, including behaviour specific Standard Operating Procedures, standard behaviour modification programmes and factsheets, in association with Operations as needed.
Manage the Canine Behaviour Officer in reviewing and developing materials for the Training and Behaviour / Dog School web-site and review input to the site from other sources. Liaise with the Head of Dog School and digital team in identifying key areas for web-site development.
To liaise with the Training and Behaviour Field Manager and Senior TBAs regarding the review of practice and policy within Training and Behaviour teams
To work with the Head of Professional Development in Canine Behaviour, the Learning and Development Manager and the Training and Behaviour Staff Development Manager to determine how developments in policy and practice may impact on staff development needs, and to ensure that changes in practice are co-ordinated with appropriate staff development activities.
Monitor progress in Training and Behaviour against annual plans. To analyse the information gathered and to produce regular and ad hoc reports as required. To identify trends to report on these to the Director of Canine Behaviour and Research recommending appropriate changes and to implement the agreed approaches.
Assist departments across Dogs Trust in identifying evidence based best practice in canine behaviour in conjunction with the research team as needed.
Review weekly reports from Dog School and Senior TBA teams to highlight any areas of concern in training or behaviour to the Director of Canine Behaviour and Research.
Work with the research team in developing and reviewing research related to clinical behaviour and / or training.
Co-ordinate with the field team, the HR Engagement Manager and Communications team in the dissemination of material to rehoming centres, dog school teams and other departments.
Assist the research team in translating research evidence into accessible forms for dissemination to staff in conjunction with HR and Communications teams
Support the Director of Canine Behaviour and Research in the development, management and application of activities to better define training and behaviour best practice within Dogs Trust
Provide support to Communications, Public Affairs, Fundraising and Campaigns teams in the development of reports, lay summaries and fact sheets to support their activities
Support the Director of Canine Behaviour and Research in the development of data collection methods and measurement systems within behaviour teams in Dogs Trust services and operations alongside the Research Team
Work with the Research Manager and Head of IT and HR in evaluating future IT requirements for data collection, storage and reporting in Dog School and Training and Behaviour teams.
Support the Director of Canine Behaviour and Research in the development of training and behaviour specific KPIs
Present behaviour practice and policy at veterinary, clinical behaviour and animal welfare conferences and meetings to promote the work of Dogs Trust as required by the Director of Canine Behaviour and Research and within agreed parameters
Be thoroughly familiar with Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs) and the policies of Dogs Trust.
Promote the work of Dogs Trust through the media, the public, local vets etc, whilst always protecting the image of Dogs Trust.
Ensure that all Health and Safety procedures, as deemed necessary after assessment of risk are implemented and followed.
Liaise with the Head of Dog School and Dog School Development Officers in reviewing and writing DS literature and resources.
To conduct annual appraisals with direct reports in line with Dogs Trust policy and deadlines.
To maintain an up to date understanding at all times of the issues facing the Directorate of Canine Behaviour and Research in general, and Training and Behaviour in particular, in order to be able to interpret data accurately and to plan ahead.
Ensure that all Health and Safety procedures, as deemed necessary after assessment of risk, are implemented and followed.
Create an environment where all staff feel included and valued.
To act as a spokesperson for Dogs Trust on canine behaviour matters as required.
To provide information to the CEO, Deputy CEO and Director of Canine Behaviour & Research as required.
Any other reasonable duties.

Person Specification

The Canine Behaviour Manager will:

Have a veterinary, animal science, animal behaviour, welfare or similar qualification
Ideally have a postgraduate qualification and / or be eligible for accreditation as a Clinical Animal Behaviourist.
Have some experience of management and be able to demonstrate skills in identifying and reporting on KPIs
have good communication skills, both verbal and written, and good organisational and interpersonal skills
Be a self-motivator with huge amounts of energy, commitment and enthusiasm
Have experience in establishing and motivating a team, demonstrating effective leadership and sound decision making
Experience with arranging events and meetings
Be numerate with experience of preparing budgets and ensuring the control of expenditure
Have strong analytical, planning, programme management and negotiating skills
Have experience of gathering and analysing complex data, producing clear information based on it and exercising good judgment to take decisions/make appropriate recommendations
Be experienced in evaluating the implementation of policies and procedures and ensuring compliance
Have a track record of leading by example, giving constructive feedback on performance and driving the achievement of objectives.
Be personable, articulate, credible, well-presented and able to act as a spokesperson including with the media
Have the ability and experience to develop and maintain good relations with other leading animal welfare organisations in the UK and Ireland
Be self-motivated, enthusiastic, resilient and able to work well under pressure
Have intermediate (or above) proficiency with IT
Have sympathy with the aims and objectives of Dogs Trust
Understand the charity sector
Ideally have experience in an animal welfare, professional training and behaviour or education environment
Be prepared and willing to travel to various locations across the UK and internationally where necessary in the course of the duties of the role
Have a reasonable knowledge of research methods, data collection techniques and reporting of research results.
Ideally have previous experience of conducting research independently
Be confident in presenting to professional and lay audiences
Have excellent written communication skills, and be able to put together accessible lay summaries or reviews of research results
Be able to inspire others about the importance and value of canine behaviour
Be empathetic and able to mentor other staff
Be able to work independently, be organised and able to develop and prioritise his or her own workload.

Must possess a full manual UK driving licence