Operations Manager for K9

Job description and person specification

Reports to: Operations Director or nominated senior manager

Location: Company base and client sites with travel as required

Working pattern: As agreed, including operational visits and out of hours support

Salary and employment terms: To be agreed

Role purpose

Manage the safe, effective and commercially sound delivery of Cutlass Group’s security dog handling operations. Lead handlers and supervisors, maintain competent dog and handler teams, protect animal welfare and ensure client requirements are met through consistent deployment, supervision and reporting.

Mandatory minimum qualification: NASDU LEVEL 3 CERTIFICATE FOR A SECURITY DOG HANDLER.

Applicants must already hold this qualification and provide documentary evidence for verification before appointment. Operational deployment also requires current competence for the assigned dog and duties.

Key responsibilities Operational delivery

· Plan and manage dog handling contracts, staffing, rotas, relief cover and emergency resources, maintaining continuity during absence and unexpected demand.

· Assess each site and assignment before deployment. Prepare and review risk assessments, Assignment Instructions, patrol arrangements and emergency procedures with the client.

· Deploy suitable, competent dog and handler teams within their training, capability and authorised duties. Confirm site induction and briefing before work begins.

· Conduct site visits and operational inspections, monitor attendance and patrol delivery, resolve service failures and maintain communication with the control room and client.

· Maintain contingency arrangements for handler absence, dog illness or injury, transport failure and withdrawal of an unsuitable team.

Dog welfare and safe handling

· Oversee appropriate accommodation, feeding, hydration, exercise, rest, veterinary care and safe transport, with documented welfare checks and records.

· Monitor health, behaviour, workload and environmental conditions. Remove any dog or handler from deployment when welfare, fitness, control or competence is in doubt.

· Ensure dogs remain under effective control, equipment is suitable and maintained, and handling methods protect dogs, staff and the public.

Management and assurance responsibilities

· Recruit, induct, supervise and appraise handlers; verify qualifications, relevant licences and screening before deployment, working with HR.

· Arrange ongoing dog and handler training, refresher activity and competence assessments through appropriately qualified providers. Maintain training and expiry records and address assessment failures before further deployment.

· Maintain operating procedures covering lone working, public contact, escalation, incident response and dog welfare. Check compliance with applicable requirements, relevant industry standards and client instructions.

· Investigate incidents, dog bites, near misses, complaints and welfare concerns; arrange immediate assistance, preserve records, make required notifications and track corrective actions.

· Maintain accurate deployment, training, welfare, equipment and incident records, protecting personal and client information.

· Manage agreed budgets, overtime, vehicles, equipment and suppliers. Support tenders, mobilisation and client reviews with realistic staffing and operational advice.

· Provide management reports on service performance, training compliance, welfare, incidents, costs and improvement actions. Promote professional conduct and respectful treatment of all people.

Essential qualifications and experience

· NASDU LEVEL 3 CERTIFICATE FOR A SECURITY DOG HANDLER as the minimum qualification, supported by a verifiable certificate.

· Demonstrable operational experience in security dog handling and supervising or managing dog and handler teams.

· Current SIA licence appropriate to any licensable duties undertaken, with the ability to meet company screening and right to work requirements.

· Practical knowledge of canine welfare, behaviour, safe handling, transport and deployment risk assessment.

· Proven ability to manage rosters, relief resources, client relationships, incidents, performance and accurate operational records.

· Clear communication, sound judgement, effective leadership and confident use of reporting and scheduling systems.

· Ability to travel between sites and provide agreed out of hours support. A valid driving licence is required where driving forms part of the role.

Desirable criteria

Previous management of multiple security dog contracts; a recognised leadership or management qualification; relevant first aid and canine first aid training; and experience of mobilisation, audits, tenders and budget management. Trainer or assessor qualifications are desirable where the role includes training delivery.

Authority and performance

The manager may stop unsafe activity and withdraw a dog or handler where welfare, competence or safety is compromised, escalating promptly to senior management and arranging appropriate cover. Financial and staffing decisions remain within delegated authority.

Performance will be reviewed against agreed contract coverage, client satisfaction, training and licence compliance, welfare standards, completion of inspections, timely incident reporting, corrective action closure and budget control.

The role includes other reasonable duties consistent with its purpose, competence requirements and level of responsibility.

Pay: £45,000.00-£60,000.00 per year

Work Location: On the road