Office Manager and Reception Team Leader

Office Manager and Reception Team Leader

The Animal Referral & Emergency Centre (AREC) is excited to offer a leadership opportunity for a passionate and experienced professional ready to take their career to the next level. As the Hunter Region's only fully staffed, 24/7 emergency and specialist animal hospital, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional care to small animals and their families. We are seeking a proactive and operationally minded Office Manager with a strong background in customer service and a proven track record of successfully leading and empowering teams to achieve excellence.

About us:

AREC (Animal Referral and Emergency Centre) was established in 2004 and is a privately owned and operated emergency veterinary hospital led by a singular, highly regarded emergency veterinarian, Dr. David Tabrett, who continues to work within the business. We are a family-oriented, non-corporate, ASAV accredited “Hospital of Excellence” practice with a collaborative team of more than 110 employees.

Our team come from a diverse range of backgrounds and our decisions and behaviour are underpinned by our core values of Respect, Diligence, Professionalism, Excellence, Empathy, and Integrity. With a strong focus on professional development, mental health and work-life balance, our compassionate team and leadership are just a small part of what makes AREC special.

Our mission is to provide peace of mind for our clients – that is, both pet owners of the Hunter and the local vet clinics to offer relief for after-hours, emergencies, and referral services.

The Role:

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Office Manager to oversee daily administrative operations and lead our reception team. The ideal candidate will ensure efficient office functioning, provide exceptional client service, and support our veterinary professionals.

A key component of the role is understanding the critical importance, and being able to guide, coach and grow a team who can provide exceptional empathy and professionalism. Whilst this role is on site at Broadmeadow Monday to Friday, you will be supporting a team and Reception which operates 24/7 – therefore, some flexibility of hours is required to effectively manage such operations.

Your Duties & Responsibilities:

Office Management:

• Oversee daily administrative operations, ensuring a well-organised and efficient office environment.
• Manage office supplies inventory and place orders as needed.
• Develop and implement office policies and procedures to enhance efficiency.
• Coordinate maintenance of office equipment and facilities.

Reception Team Leadership:

• Supervise and support the reception team who cover shifts 7 days a week 6am to midnight.
• Coach and grow the team in all aspects of performance – including client experience.
• Ensure the reception area is welcoming, professional, and equipped with necessary materials.
• Handle client inquiries, concerns, and complaints with professionalism and empathy.
• Monitor and improve client service practices to maintain high satisfaction levels.

Client Experience:

• Lead in delivering client and communication skills development competencies and training programs across all departments
• Professional relationship building with our valued wider local veterinary community

Financial and Reporting Duties:

• Assist with budgeting, billing, and financial record-keeping.
• Prepare regular reports on office and reception activities for management review.

Your Skills & Experience:

• Proven experience in office management, preferably in a healthcare or veterinary setting.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Proficiency in office software (e.g., MS Office Suite) and familiarity with office equipment.
• Ability to multitask, prioritise, and manage time effectively.
• High level of professionalism and confidentiality.

AREC can offer:

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.
• Supportive and collaborative work environment.
• Employee discounts on veterinary services.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Wellness Committee

Contact:

Sally Armstead – hr@arecvet.com.au

How to Apply:

If you are keen to be a part of a highly compassionate and hard-working team of healthcare professionals, we would love to hear from you. Please apply by completing the CV Submission form below.

AREC foster diversity and inclusion within the organisation to create an environment where all individuals are valued and included.

Note: All short-listed applicants will be required to undergo a pre-employment check to verify their identity, qualifications and experience in the form of a reference check.