Chief executive jobs for the Animal sector

Are you an experienced accountant who is passionate about dogs?
We’re searching for a Financial Accounting Manager to take the lead on all things accounting: from ongoing accuracy on the general ledger to year-end accounts.

What does this role do?
As Financial Accounting Manager, you will:

• Be responsible for end-of-year accounts, working closely with colleagues and auditors to ensure all accounts are completed accurately and compliance is maintained,
• Maintain ongoing accuracy in the general ledger for UK entities, reviewing transactions and control accounts to identify and rectify errors,
• Ensure tax compliance, from reviewing returns to ensuring compliance in line with changes to tax legislation and guidance,
• Manage and coach the Assistant Financial Accountants, providing strong leadership, performance management and professional development,

Interviews for this role are provisionally scheduled for 1st June 2026, and will take place on Teams. This role is available as a fixed term, family leave cover until August 2027.

Could this be you?
To be successful in this role, you’ll need to be a fully qualified accountant who has been responsible for managing the year-end process in a large group, who understands complex VAT environments and maintaining an accounting system. You’ll work pro-actively and flexibly to meet multiple competing deadlines, while leading and coaching a small team. You’ll be an excellent communicator, with the ability to collaborate with stakeholders across the charity and communicate complex financial information to non-financial colleagues. A commitment to the work we do is essential.

About Dogs Trust
We love dogs. That’s why we do whatever we can to make sure every four-legged friend gets the love they deserve. We’ll never put a healthy dog down, so our work is focused on helping dogs in need, supporting owners every step of the walk, and creating a better world for dogs in the future. It’s what we’ve been doing since 1891 and how we’ve grown to become the UK’s leading dog charity, helping 12,000 loyal friends find their forever homes every year.

To apply for this position please click the APPLY NOW button. Our application process requires you submit a personal statement explaining your interest and suitability for the role.
 
Dogs are incredibly diverse, much like the humans that love them! At Dogs Trust we value diversity, and we're committed to fostering an inclusive culture. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, abilities, and cultures and believe that a diverse workforce helps us to achieve our mission. Our colleague networks give our people a voice, acting as vehicles for real and meaningful change within Dogs Trust. We truly want to see every candidate shine throughout the entire job application process, interview stages, and during their time with us. If there's anything on your mind or any adjustments you may need, don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're here to support you every step of the way.

Chief Executive Officer (Part-time, 3 days/week)

Veterans With Dogs (VWD) is seeking an experienced, values-driven and credible Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead our charity into its next chapter. This rare and exciting opportunity offers the chance to guide a small, high-impact team at a pivotal stage in the charity’s growth.

Location: Flexible / UK-based, with regular travel to Exeter, training sites, and key meetings as required. We are flexible in how this is structured, and relocation is not required.
Salary: £45,000–£55,000 pro-rata (equivalent to £27,000 - £33,000 for 3 days/week) + 3% pension contribution
Contract: Permanent

Hours: 21 hours / 3 days per week

Holiday: 28 days per annum (FTE), plus bank holidays
Reports to: Chair of Trustees
Direct reports: 3

About Veterans With Dogs

Veterans With Dogs is a UK charity that transforms the lives of Armed Forces veterans living with mental health challenges. Through the provision of highly trained assistance dogs and trauma-informed support, we help restore purpose, independence, and dignity to those who have served.

Founded in 2012, our work addresses a vital gap for veterans living with PTSD, anxiety, depression, and complex trauma. Through our award-winning PALS™ (Partner Animal Life Skills) programme, we support veterans to rebuild their lives, with the constant support of a trusted companion by their side.

Following a period of governance transition and renewal, we are entering a new and exciting phase. We are strengthening leadership, systems, and strategy to ensure long-term sustainability and greater reach, while maintaining the quality, care, and integrity that sit at the heart of our work.

We recognise that this is a senior leadership role within a small organisation and are committed to flexibility in how the role is delivered. We are open to conversations around working patterns and location to ensure we attract the strongest possible candidate.

We are also open to shaping aspects of the role around the strengths and location of the successful candidate.

We would particularly welcome candidates who can bring fresh perspective, while respecting and building on the strong foundations already in place.

This is an opportunity to shape the future of a respected and growing charity at a pivotal moment, with genuine scope to influence strategy, culture, and long-term impact.

The Role

The CEO will provide strategic direction, operational oversight, and cultural leadership for Veterans With Dogs. Working closely with the Board of Trustees, the CEO will oversee the delivery of the charity’s mission, ensure operational excellence, develop our long-term strategy, and foster a values-led and high-performing team.

This is a hands-on, multi-dimensional leadership role, ideal for a calm, pragmatic, and inspiring individual with experience of organisational stabilisation, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable growth. You will build strong relationships with the team and stakeholders, maintaining a visible and engaged leadership presence both in person and remotely.

This is a genuinely part-time role with a focused and manageable scope, supported by an engaged Board of Trustees and a committed team. The role is designed to be sustainable within the allocated hours.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

• Lead the development and delivery of an interim plan and longer-term organisational strategy
• Translate strategic goals into clear operational priorities and plans
• Foster a compassionate, inclusive, and mission-aligned organisational culture
• Act as a credible and inspiring ambassador for Veterans With Dogs with stakeholders, funders, partners, and the public
• Guide the charity through stabilisation and values-led, sustainable growth

Governance & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all relevant charity law, regulation, and best practice
• Work in partnership with the Board of Trustees, supporting effective governance and reporting
• Implement and embed improvements in HR, finance, safeguarding, IT, and operational systems
• Lead on organisational risk management, ensuring policies and procedures are in place and regularly reviewed

Operations & Programme Delivery

• Oversee day-to-day operations to ensure safe, ethical, and effective service delivery
• Ensure safeguarding standards are upheld for both veterans and dogs
• Drive continuous improvement in programme quality, delivery, and impact measurement
• Ensure operational systems and data processes are robust, compliant, and fit for purpose

People & Culture

• Lead, support, and nurture a small, dedicated staff team and wider network of volunteers
• Promote staff wellbeing, clear communication, and professional development
• Work with trustees to assess future staffing needs and build leadership capacity

Finance & Sustainability

• Work with trustees and advisors to ensure sound financial management and reporting
• Contribute to financial planning, budgeting, and development of a sustainable reserves policy
• Help diversify income streams, supporting fundraising efforts, corporate partnerships, and individual giving

Fundraising & External Relations

Build and maintain relationships with funders, donors, corporate partners, and sector allies

• Collaborate with the fundraising trustee to develop new funding opportunities
• Represent the charity externally with credibility, transparency, and professionalism
• Strengthen partnerships with ADUK, ADI, Cobseo, and other key membership bodies

Person Specification

Essential

• Senior leadership experience within a charity, social enterprise, or values-led organisation
• Strong knowledge of charity governance, regulation, and trustee relationships
• Experience leading teams through organisational change or stabilisation
• Financial literacy with experience of budgeting, reporting, and planning
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills across diverse stakeholders
• A calm, values-based, and ethical leadership approach

Desirable

• Experience in health, mental health, veterans’ services, or trauma-informed work
• Experience working with boards during periods of strategic or leadership transition
• Fundraising and/or income generation experience
• Understanding of safeguarding best practice (for people and/or animals)
• Lived experience of the military or charity sectors (not essential)

Our Commitment

Veterans With Dogs is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We actively welcome applicants from all backgrounds and strive to create a supportive, respectful, and empowering workplace. We recognise the value of lived experience and are committed to continuous learning as an organisation.

How to Apply

Please apply via Charity Jobs.

If you would like a confidential conversation before applying, we would be happy to speak with you.

Closing date to apply: 5pm on Monday 15 June 2026

• First interviews (online): week commencing 22 June 2026
• Second interviews (in our Exeter office): TBC

Previous applicants need not reapply, thank you.

Veterans With Dogs is a registered charity in England and Wales (No. 1161554).

Dog Aid Scotland

Dog Aid Scotland is celebrating its 70th anniversary of creating and protecting loving homes across Scotland. The charity helps keep dogs with their owners whenever possible and when that’s not possible, we find dogs new homes, giving them hope for a future.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a long standing charity entering a period of growth and investment with a focus on helping many more dogs and their owners. The charity will look to increase the scale of its work, significantly increasing awareness of the importance and impact of Dog Aid Scotland while ensuring financial sustainability through fundraising and income diversification.

The Role 

The Finance Manager will have responsibility for and oversight of the financial management within Dog Aid Scotland, reporting directly to the Chief Executive. This will include day to day financial functions across the charity, working closely across the small but dedicated team, to ensure the organisation operates effectively and sustainably. The role will support the charities strategic objectives including long term financial sustainability and ensuring compliance with charity governance standards.

This is a part time role working as part of a small, dedicated team who aim to create happy homes for dogs across Scotland. Although it will be expected to be in the office each week, some hybrid working will be available. 

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic finance and business leadership, responsible for all of charities accounts and financial processes
• Financial planning and budgeting, including putting together budgets, producing forecasts and management accounts
• Working closely with CEO on long term financial planning that aligns and enables wider charity strategy
• Compliance, systems and controls, including oversight of Xero accounting system and ensuring compliance with charity financial regulations

For more information and how to apply please see Job Pack 

We are looking for a Head of Income Generation & Engagement to lead the creation and delivery of a new, integrated Income Generation and Engagement Strategy, with scope to innovate across individual and major giving, retail, digital engagement and emerging approaches.

The Charity
An incredible animal welfare charity based in Surrey looking for full time office working.

The Role
Working with the Chief Executive and others, to design, recruit and develop a multi-disciplinary team covering income generation, marketing, communications and engagement.

Review income generation, marketing and communications trends, approaches and evaluation frameworks. Conduct further research and evaluation as required and set against sector comparators.

Conduct initial, then regular, analysis of the charitys audiences, both existing and potential, with a view to maximising opportunities for engagement, influence, giving, volunteering and homing.

Create an integrated brand, marketing and income generation strategy, with clear delivery plans and evaluation frameworks.

Review and lead development of the individual giving programme, both traditional and digital, including membership and friends schemes.

The Candidate
Track record at senior level with demonstrable experience across income generation, marketing and communications disciplines.

Demonstrable experience of building, implementing and evaluating income generation and engagement strategies.

Demonstrable experience of integrating brand, marketing and income generation strategies and the teams delivering them to achieve both financial and wider organisational targets.

Budgetary understanding and experience; able to understand corporate budgets and management accounts, build and manage annual budgets and accurately forecast both income and expenditure.

Significant experience of line management and team development, setting objectives and goals and holding regular supervision and one to-one meetings.

IMPORTANT NOTE

Our aim is to respond to all successful applications within 5 days. If you havent been contacted within 5 days your application has been unsuccessful, but we positively encourage you to apply for any other positions that you may see in the future.

We apologise that we cannot contact everybody in person but thank you in advance for your interest.

Third Solutions encourages applications from individuals of all ages & backgrounds. Appointment will be made on merit alone but candidates must be able to demonstrate their ability to work in the UK. Third Solutions acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment & an employment business for temporary recruitment as defined by the Conduct of Employment Agencies & Employment Business Regulations 2003.

Fauna & Flora is seeking a highly experienced conservation professional to fulfil the role of Country Director, South Sudan, assuming responsibility for the development, management and implementation of F&F’s growing South Sudan programme.

The successful candidate will have experience in providing technical input into the design, development, implementation and evaluation of biodiversity and conservation projects within conflict affected countries in Africa. They will also demonstrate a strong proven track record in operational, project, grant and financial management at a similar level and be skilled in providing strategic advice.

Strong leadership and people management skills are essential to the role to build and lead a professional team that delivers effectively against project aims, objectives and timelines.  The role also requires a skilled and credible communicator, who is confident in developing and managing relationships at senior level with partner organisations and relevant stakeholders, including donors, funders and government.

Please visit our website and download the job application pack for further details on how to apply.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday, 20 April 2026. Interviews are likely to take place the week commencing Monday, 25 May 2026.

Great opportunity to lead and support our charity's team through the next phase of development to drive One Medicine forward. 

Job Purpose

To lead the operational delivery of Humanimal Trust’s charitable aims and strategic objectives, as set by the Board of Trustees, ensuring that plans are translated into clear priorities, well-managed programmes and effective day-to-day operations. The postholder will line manage the operational team, oversee the finances and the fundraising activities, and maintain strong governance and compliance within Charity Commission requirements, at all times representing the Trust’s One Medicine purpose with professionalism and integrity.

Dimensions

· Line management responsibility for the operational team

· Budget responsibility: manage agreed operational budgets and monitor expenditure against plan

· Oversee delivery of the annual business plan and operational work programme

· Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, supporters, partners and suppliers

· Oversee the fundraising activities

Main Responsibilities and Role

· Provide visible operational leadership for Humanimal Trust, championing One Medicine and role-modelling the Trust’s values

· Translate Board-approved strategy into clear operational priorities, delivery plans and measurable outcomes

· Line-manage the operational team: allocate work, set objectives, provide coaching, and manage performance and wellbeing

· Maintain and improve operational policies, procedures and controls in line with charity regulation, GDPR/data protection and recognised good practice

· Ensure effective delivery of core operational functions (administration, supporter care, governance support, data management and supplier coordination)

· Protect the Trust’s reputation by maintaining high standards of quality, confidentiality, safeguarding and risk management

· Monitor progress against the operational plan, tracking risks, issues and dependencies and reporting regularly to the Chair/Trustees

· Lead on team resourcing and capability: recruitment planning (where applicable), induction, training and continuous improvement

· Work closely with the Chair and Trustees to support good governance, prepare papers, and ensure actions and decisions are implemented

· Attend and present at Board meetings

Finance

· Manage day-to-day financial processes for the Trust, ensuring appropriate approvals, controls and timely processing

· Oversee expense claims and supplier payments in line with policy; ensure accurate records are maintained for audit and reporting

· Track and report on income/expenditure and operational costs, highlighting variances and supporting budget planning with Trustees and finance support (where in place)

· Maintain a clear audit trail for key financial decisions, contracts and delegated approvals

Planning and Organising

· Develop and implement operational plans that translate Trustee priorities into clear workstreams, milestones and accountabilities

· Plan, organise and prioritise team workload and resources to deliver objectives, balancing immediate operational needs with longer-term planning

· Maintain and review the organisational risk register, escalating issues and ensuring proportionate mitigations are in place

· Maintain and review the Trust’s policies and guidance documents

· Monitor and report delivery, performance and compliance (e.g., quarterly/annually as agreed), supporting effective governance and continuous improvement

Decision Making

· Make operational decisions to deliver the Trust’s agreed plans within delegated authority, escalating strategic or high-risk matters to the Chair/Trustees

· Lead and line-manage the operational team, including recruitment planning (where applicable), workload allocation and resource deployment

· Liaise with external partners, supporters, volunteers, suppliers and professional advisers to support delivery and maintain effective relationships

· Liaise with the Chair of Trustees and the Trustees on a regular basis.

· Evaluate and improve processes, systems and ways of working to enhance quality, efficiency, supporter experience and internal control

· Identify learning and development needs for the team and support continuous improvement and professional development

· Manage operational capacity and prioritisation, ensuring resources are aligned to the Trust’s delivery commitments

· Approve expenditure, contracts and commitments within delegated authority and in line with policy

Internal and External Relationships

Internal

· Chair of Trustees and Board of Trustees (including sub-committees), providing timely updates, papers and delivery reporting

· Operational team and volunteers, providing leadership, coordination and support

External

Supporters, donors, partner organisations, volunteers, suppliers and professional advisers (e.g., finance, HR, legal), acting as an operational point of contact as required

Knowledge, Experience, Skills and Style Required

Essential

· Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience), with strong digital/IT capability (MS Office and CRM/databases) and a clear understanding of GDPR/data protection.

· Proven experience in an operational leadership/management role, delivering organisational plans, improving processes and achieving measurable outcomes.

· Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively with Trustees, colleagues, volunteers and external stakeholders.

· Strong people management skills, supporting staff through change, setting clear expectations and creating an inclusive, high-performing team culture.

· Demonstrable experience working in or with a charity/not-for-profit, with a good understanding of governance, compliance and supporter-facing operations (experience in human health, animal health or science an advantage).

· Strong judgement and analytical skills, able to manage competing priorities, budgets and risks and to deliver reliably in a small-organisation environment.

Desirable

· Understanding of the UK charity regulatory environment and good governance practice.

· Experience working with Boards/Trustees, including preparing papers, reporting on delivery and supporting effective decision-making.

· Knowledge and experience of fundraising operations and supporter care.

· Demonstrable understanding of, and commitment to, One Medicine.

Job Context and Special Features

This role is a key senior management position within Humanimal Trust, with responsibility for ensuring that strategy is translated into effective delivery, that the operational team is supported to perform at its best, and that the Trust operates with strong governance, compliance and financial control.

This is a one-year fixed term appointment for a 28-hour (3.5 day) working week, starting at the earliest opportunity.  The role is home-based in the UK, with occasional travel to other locations in the country.

Contract:  12 months fixed term contract, maternity cover, full time

Salary:  £52,200 – £56,400 per annum         

Location:  Burford, Oxfordshire, with hybrid working, minimum two days per week in the office

Closing date:  Friday 22 May 2026

Interview date:  1, 4 or 5 June 2026

At Blue Cross, data plays a critical role in how we deliver services for pets and the people who care for them. We are looking for a Head of Data and Insights to provide senior leadership across our data and insight capability, ensuring data is used as a strategic asset to inform decision making, improve performance, and strengthen our impact as a charity.

A key focus during this 12-month period will be supporting critical transformation activity across the organisation, including the Central Platform project and the migration of data from the outgoing Rehoming and Fostering application into Microsoft Dynamics 365, alongside the continued development of our wider data and insights capability.

More about the role

As Head of Data and Insights, you will shape and deliver our data strategy, driving improvements in how we capture, manage, and use data across the organisation. You will lead the development of high quality insight and reporting that supports both strategic and operational decision making, while strengthening data governance, quality, and compliance.

A key focus during this period will be providing direction and support to the Central Platform project, ensuring the safe, accurate, and effective migration of data into Microsoft Dynamics 365. You will also oversee the rebuilding of all reporting capability required by the Rehoming and Fostering teams within the new system, ensuring continuity of insight and decision making throughout the transition.

Alongside this, you will continue to lead the wider Data and Insights function, ensuring data is embedded as a trusted organisational asset. You will strengthen our approach to analytics, insight, and data maturity, while promoting a data driven culture across Blue Cross.

As a senior leader within the Information Services team, you will lead and develop a high performing team, contribute to wider technology and organisational strategy, and build strong relationships with senior stakeholders, including the Executive Team and Trustees.

About you

You are an experienced data leader with strong delivery capability in complex transformation environments. You are confident operating at both strategic and operational levels, able to balance long term data strategy with hands on delivery support in critical programmes.

You bring experience of leading data migration, reporting transformation, or large scale system change, ideally within complex organisations with multiple stakeholders and legacy systems. You are confident influencing senior leaders, providing clear direction, and ensuring delivery remains focused on organisational priorities.

You are collaborative, pragmatic, and solutions focused, with the ability to bring clarity to complex data and system landscapes and translate them into actionable outcomes.

Essential Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

• Significant experience in a senior data, insight, or analytics leadership role 
• Strong expertise across data disciplines, including data governance, architecture, analytics, and insight generation 
• Proven experience of developing and delivering data strategies that drive measurable organisational impact 
• Experience of leading, managing, and developing high performing teams 
• Demonstrable experience of influencing senior stakeholders and enabling evidence led decision making 
• Strong analytical capability, with experience of working with complex datasets to generate actionable insight 
• Experience working within complex organisations with multiple systems and diverse data sources 
• Sound understanding of data protection, information governance, and relevant legislation, including GDPR and PECR 
• The ability to demonstrate, understand and apply our Blue Cross values.   

Desirable qualifications, skills, and experience

• Experience working within a not for profit or charitable organisation 
• Experience of business intelligence and data visualisation tools, such as Power BI 
• Experience of working with cloud-based data platforms, such as Azure 
• Experience of implementing advanced analytics approaches, including predictive modelling or Artificial Intelligence 
• Experience of building organisational data capability through training or communities of practice

How to apply 

Click the apply button and complete the online application process before the closing date. 

Assessment process
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend a face-to-face interview which will include a presentation task provided in advance, followed by a Q&A session.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a high volume of suitable applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Blue Cross benefits

Our people are the most important part of delivering our purpose. If it were not for their amazing efforts and commitment, we would not be able to make the difference that we do today.  

In return, Blue Cross wants to ensure we provide you with the best working environment we can. We want you to be happy working for us and will do everything we can to make sure you are.  

Our generous benefits package includes: 

• Full time equivalent of 38 days holiday rising to 43 with service (including Bank Holidays)  
• Programmes for physical and mental wellbeing support  
• Free access to GP via MetLife- 24/7 GP services, private prescriptions and more for you and your family   
• Health cash plan  
• Unlimited access to an employee assistance programme  
• Pension scheme with enhanced employer contribution   
• Professional fees paid with Continuing Professional Development and personal development support.  
• Life assurance   
• 20% discount on Pet Plan pet insurance   
• Enhanced family friendly policies   
• Recognition scheme   
• Annual volunteer days  
• Charity worker discounts across a variety of retailers 

To read more about the benefits Blue Cross has to offer, please visit the 'why work for us' page on our website.