Senior Operational Partnerships Manager Review

My role during the apprenticeship was to audit animal care facilities for the RSPCA, working with our centre management to improve standards. Since completing my Leadership and Management apprenticeship, I have been promoted to Senior Operational Partnerships Manager, which involves governance and oversight of partnerships, and line managing two colleagues.

I have gained many insights and practical tools to use in building working relationships with colleagues, and am now able to apply them to recruiting and managing my own team.

I really enjoyed the contents and structure of the programme. The mixture of self-led learning and practical application while working suited my learning style.

I found the programme very well structured; it was very clear from the start what would be involved at what times. I had great support from both Corndel and the RSPCA Apprenticeships team.

The RSPCA has developed a very positive culture around apprenticeships, and we are strongly encouraged by all levels of the organisation to explore what would benefit our roles and personal development. Our apprenticeship team and my line manager were extremely supportive in making sure I made time for my apprenticeship work, including exposure to new situations where I could apply my learning.

My personal tutor was really supportive and positive; we met monthly to talk about progress and any challenges. I felt like I could reach out to ask questions in between those sessions, and always received useful feedback.

Completing the Leadership and Management apprenticeship helped me develop in the role I held at the time, building new tools for relationship management particularly. I believe it was also instrumental to being promoted into a line management role in 2025.

We have various affinity and interest groups at a national level for remote working colleagues like myself. Colleagues based at offices and animal centres do organise local social activities.

Yes

The RSPCA is the oldest animal welfare organisation in the UK, and we have a very clear mission to help the animals most in need. This can be challenging but extremely rewarding work. There is a very supportive culture between colleagues, with wellbeing and personal development being championed.

Work experience is really vital, try volunteering with the RSPCA first to get a better idea of the work we do.