Chief executive jobs for the Animal sector

Do you want to help us make a lasting difference to the lives of dogs and their owners?
We’re searching for an experienced Legacy Officer, who will play a vital role in ensuring every gift left to Dogs Trust in a will reaches its full potential. This role sits at the heart of our work, as every legacy makes a difference to the dogs we support.

What does this role do?
As a Legacy Officer, you will: 

• manage a caseload of pecuniary, specific, life interest, and residuary legacies, ensuring the charity receives its full entitlement and maximising value where possible,
• liaise with external stakeholders, such as executors or solicitors, handling sensitive conversations efficiently and professionally,
• review estate accounts, including the allocation of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and Inheritance Tax (IHT), to confirm estates are correctly administered,
• represent the charity’s interests in all legacy-related correspondence, handling queries from legal professionals and the public with professionalism,
• maintain accurate records using the First Class 4 database, support with reporting, and escalate significant matters to senior legal staff as needed.

Interviews for this role are provisionally scheduled for week commencing 17th August 2026, and will take place at our London office.

Could this be you?
With proven experience in legacy administration, you will have good knowledge of wills, probate, tax and trust law. With excellent attention to detail, you will be highly organised and able to demonstrate experience of managing and prioritising own caseload. A certificate in Charity Legacy Administration is desirable. 

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

Strength and Learning Through Horses (SLTH) is a London-based charity transforming the lives of vulnerable young people through equine-assisted therapy and education services. 

As Chief Executive, you will lead the organisation into its next chapter. Reporting to the Board, you will bring operational leadership, drive organisational development, grow and diversify income, oversee site development, strengthen governance, and oversee financial performance, planning and sustainability. You will also act as ambassador, building partnerships and profile.

Essentials:

• Significant senior leadership experience (CEO, Deputy CEO, COO or equivalent) in the charity, education, health, youth or social care sectors
• Strong background in operational excellence, strategy, governance and organisational development
• Experience representing an organisation externally and leading diverse teams
• Demonstrable financial stewardship, working knowledge of day-to-day HR policies and processes, and an understanding of safeguarding responsibilities

Benefits:

• Flexible working 
• Opportunity to lead a high-impact, specialist charity 

This role will suit a senior leader with a track record in growth, income generation and team leadership, who is bold, ambitious and passionate about improving the lives of vulnerable young people. Are you ready to scale impact while protecting what makes a charity special?

Please see the candidate pack for full details. For an informal and confidential discussion about the role, please contact: Katherine Anderson-Scott, Executive Director of Charisma Charity Recruitment.

Location: Greengates Stables, Mays Lane, Barnet, EN5 2AQ / hybrid - 3 days a week on-site

Closing date: Thursday 6th August 2026
Charisma vetting interviews will be completed on a rolling basis. 
Please note: the SLTH interview process with be 3 stages, with the final 1 or 2 candidates invited back for an on-site visit, which will involve the whole staff team and young people/professionals/parents and carers.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law.

Chief Executive Officer

The Opportunity

Many Tears Animal Rescue is at an exciting stage in its development. We rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome thousands of animals each year, and are now seeking an experienced, practical leader to guide our next chapter. You will build on our legacy, strengthening our foundations and securing our long-term sustainability. This role is for someone who can help us grow our reputation while giving our staff and volunteers the support they need to continue providing the best possible care for our animals. 

What will you be doing?

You will guide the charity's strategy and drive a period of transformation, ensuring our operations are effective, fully compliant, and set up for long-term sustainability. Your leadership is about ensuring that our strategy, finances, and operations all serve to give our animals the best possible chance of recovery and a loving, forever home. 

To achieve this, the role is structured around three key areas of focus:

Strategy, Governance and Compliance

• Work with the Board of Trustees to develop and deliver a strategic vision with animal welfare at its heart.

• Provide the Board of Trustees with accurate, timely, and insightful reports on risk management and performance. These updates will ensure the Board has the clear visibility they need for effective oversight and strategic planning.

• Champion a culture of transparency, accountability, and excellence in governance. Build strong, positive relationships with our regulators and key partners, including contributing to our statutory and regulatory filings to ensure we maintain full compliance with all external obligations.

• Lead the development of our internal policies and processes, ensuring every policy and process is fit-for-purpose, compliant with regulatory expectations and the highest standards of animal welfare, and are regularly reviewed to help the team work safely and effectively.

• Ensure strict adherence to all animal welfare legislation, Charity Commission standards, and sector best practices, maintaining the reliable framework our team needs to focus on the animals in our care.

• Proactively monitor and adapt to evolving Welsh animal rescue licensing regulations, ensuring our practices always reflect the highest welfare standards in Wales.

• Oversee the integrity of our operational and governance records, maintaining full transparency and auditability across the charity.

Financial Strategy and Sustainability

• Work with the Board of Trustees to develop and implement a financial strategy that puts the controls and oversight in place to secure our future and direct resources to where our animals need them most.

• Lead a long-term income generation strategy, focusing on sustainable, diverse streams including legacy giving, grant-making trusts, and community fundraising, to support our rising operational costs.

• Implement and monitor strict internal financial controls to ensure all charity resources are used exclusively for approved charitable purposes.

• Oversee data governance and digital integrity, ensuring robust data protection compliance.

Operational Delivery and Team Development 

• Take responsibility for the charity’s safeguarding culture, ensuring that all policies are embedded, staff and volunteers are trained, and that all incidents are investigated and reported with transparency, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our people.

• Foster an inclusive and supportive culture while providing strategic oversight of the modernisation of our HR practices, digital systems, and infrastructure. Ensure we are positioned to support our team’s wellbeing, growth, and development - including our volunteers and fosterers - through structured engagement and retention strategies.

• Act as the charity’s lead ambassador, building relationships with the press, local authorities, other neighbouring and notable charities, and animal welfare professionals to enhance our external reputation. 

• Oversee our operational planning, including the day-to-day management of staffing rotas and fleet resources. Provide direct line management to the senior leadership team, making sure everyone has the support they need to work effectively.

• Monitor the rescue, and report to the Board of Trustees on core operational performance, including intake-to-rehoming metrics, fostering network capacity, and clinical standards to provide clear visibility on the welfare outcomes we achieve.

• Lead the implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) across operational activity, ensuring consistent service levels and adherence to regulatory and best practice standards, to ensure our animals receive the highest standards of care.

• Direct all physical site operations, planned maintenance, and infrastructure improvements, ensuring all premises are safe, efficient, and fit for purpose.

• Manage charity risk, including contributing to the risk register, site-wide health and safety audits, staff and volunteer training, and carrying out robust assessment and management of operational risks.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for a dedicated leader who is passionate about our work and ready to use their skills to help Many Tears Animal Rescue grow and develop. You will operate at a strategic level while maintaining a firm grasp of day-to-day operations.

Key Requirements

Values and Personal Alignment

• A genuine commitment to animal welfare. You aren't just looking for a leadership role; you are here for the right reasons, with a clear understanding that every strategic decision you make serves a single purpose: improving the lives of the animals in our care.

Essential Experience

• Significant senior leadership experience, ideally within a regulated charity or an animal welfare organisation.

• A strong track record of leading organisations through periods of transition, using resilience and clarity to guide teams through change.

• Extensive people management experience, with a proven ability to lead, and support teams comprising paid staff, volunteers, and fosterers.

• Significant experience reporting to and working directly with a Board of Trustees, providing strategic advice and managing governance relationships with openness and integrity.

• A practical approach to managing organisational risk, ensuring compliance and safety standards are understood and met across all areas of the charity.

• Proven success in setting up and maintaining clear policies and processes that ensure everyone knows how to work safely, consistently, and compliantly.

• Extensive experience in financial management, including budget oversight and the practical controls needed to ensure charitable funds are used effectively.

• Proven success in developing and delivering income generation strategies, including fundraising, grant applications, or legacy giving to support long-term financial sustainability.

• A clear, demonstrable commitment to safeguarding, with experience in fostering a culture that prioritises the safety and well-being of all staff and volunteers.

• Experience in managing site operations and facilities, including the oversight of health and safety and ensuring premises remain safe and fit for purpose.

Essential Knowledge and Skills

• A deep understanding of charity governance and regulatory requirements, specifically with the Charity Commission and Companies House.

• A comprehensive working knowledge of animal welfare legislation, specifically the Animal Welfare (Wales) Act 2006 and the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Wales) Regulations 2021.

• Exceptional communication and diplomatic skills, with the ability to build trust among diverse stakeholders, including staff, volunteers, local authorities, and the public.

• A full, clean UK driving licence and the ability to travel as required.

Desirable

• Experience in clinical or animal welfare operations, including familiarity with Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) standards.

• A formal management or leadership qualification.

• Experience of managing a diverse and geographically disparate team

Time Commitment

• Hours: This is a full-time role. It requires flexibility to meet the needs of the charity, including occasional evening and weekend work.

• Location: This is primarily an on-site role, based at the rescue centre in Carmarthenshire, Wales to provide visible leadership. There is some ability to work from home for some tasks, and permanent on-site accommodation may be available if required.

• Nature of the Role: As the lead for both strategic direction and operational stability, the role requires availability to respond to urgent operational matters.

• Salary Range: £50,000

What difference will you make?

Your leadership will be the heart of our next chapter. As we build on our legacy, your focus on operational excellence will help Many Tears Animal Rescue stay a trusted lifeline for the animals who need us most. You’ll bring the stability and strategic vision we need to support our team, strengthen our impact, and keep our essential work going for years to come.

Application Process

To apply, please submit your CV and a covering letter outlining how your experience aligns with our mission and the requirements of this role to Dr Emma Sargeant by 15th August 2026.

We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are happy to discuss reasonable adjustments for the interview process.

About the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

For over 50 years, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust has been at the forefront of wildlife conservation in Kenya. Founded on the extraordinary work of Dame Daphne Sheldrick, we are best known for our orphaned elephant rescue and rehabilitation programme – the most successful of its kind in the world. Our work has grown to encompass anti-poaching, habitat protection, community conservation and long-term field programmes across East Africa.

We have a global community of passionate supporters, a powerful brand, and a cause that genuinely moves people. Our UK charity facilitates the global elephant adoption programme, leads on UK fundraising, and connects supporters everywhere with the animals and landscapes they love.

The Opportunity

This is a new and significant appointment for SWT UK. We are looking for a Director of Development to develop and lead our UK fundraising strategy – taking ownership of income generation across all streams, donor communications and supporter stewardship, and managing a team of three talented fundraising professionals.

Our individual supporter base is large globally – growing in UK – loyal and deeply engaged: many give through our elephant adoption programme, which connects them directly with named animals in our care. We are now ready to build on this engaged supporter base and develop it into a structured individual giving programme – with mid-level giving pathways, major donor cultivation, systematic stewardship and deeper philanthropic relationships. That is the central challenge and opportunity of this role.

We also have active corporate and trust relationships, a legacy programme in development, and real potential to grow income from European and international funders. The Director of Development will take ownership of all of this – hands on and strategic in equal measure.

What You Will Do

• Develop and implement a new UK fundraising strategy, establishing clear priorities, income targets and programmes that will drive growth through to 2030 and beyond
• Develop and implement a UK individual giving programme – building on our adoption base to create structured giving journeys, mid-level and major donor cultivation, and meaningful stewardship
• Manage the UK fundraising budget, set and monitor income targets across all streams, and report regularly to the Executive Director on performance and ROI
• Take day-to-day ownership of corporate and trust relationships, writing reports, proposals and partner communications
• Build a major donor programme from the ground up, identifying and cultivating high-value individual prospects
• Develop legacy marketing activity, working alongside our existing legacy administrator and Freewill partnership
• Manage and inspire a team of three: Communications and Fundraising Manager, Retail Manager and Supporter Care Officer, and Fundraising Support Officer
• Oversee the donor database (Donorfy), ensuring data quality and insight-driven decision making
• Explore opportunities to grow income from European and international donors
• Contribute to the global income picture, including through improved donor stewardship and deeper supporter engagement
• Support the growth of SWT's profile and visibility in the UK through press opportunities, social media, and other channels.

About You

We are looking for a fundraiser who loves the craft – someone who is energised by building relationships, writing a compelling proposal, developing a giving programme from scratch, and ensuring every supporter feels genuinely valued. This is a hands-on role as much as a leadership one, and the right person will be comfortable doing both.

• Proven track record in fundraising, with demonstrable success securing income from individuals, trusts or corporates – including five-figure gifts and above
• Experience developing individual giving programmes, including mid-level or major donor cultivation
• A hands-on practitioner – comfortable writing proposals, reports and donor communications yourself
• Experience managing a small fundraising team with warmth, clarity and accountability
• Strong relationship management and stewardship skills
• Experience working with a donor CRM and using data to inform fundraising decisions
• Comfortable in a building role – excited by developing programmes that don't yet exist
• Experience managing fundraising budgets and producing income forecasts and performance reports.
• Genuine passion for wildlife conservation – this role is for someone who cares about the cause
• Committed to in-person working – we believe day-to-day presence and collaboration produces better outcomes for our donors and our team, and ask for a minimum of three days per week at our Billingshurst office

Why Join Us

• A mission that genuinely matters – 50 years of life-changing conservation work and a cause that moves people around the world
• A large, loyal and warm supporter base with significant untapped potential
• Real scope to build something – this is a new role with genuine influence from day one
• A small, close-knit team with shared purpose and a genuine commitment to each other's wellbeing
• Direct line to the Executive Director and member of senior leadership team
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (33 days total)
• Salary exchange pension with 5% employer contribution
• Salary of £55,000 – £60,000 depending on experience

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a covering letter of no more than two pages – telling us why you are interested in this role and how your experience meets the person specification – by 16th August 2026.

We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis and may appoint before the closing date, so early application is encouraged.

All applicants must have the right to work in the United Kingdom. We are unable to sponsor visa applications for this role.

We're looking for a Strategic Operations Manager to lead RSPCA Warrington, Halton and St Helens, taking full day-to-day responsibility for the branch and reporting directly to our board of trustees.

This is an exciting time to join us, as we take steps to secure the future of our branch. 

Our current team is small but dedicated, with an established Management Team who oversee our kennel and cattery facility, a foster network and rehoming programme, a dedicated staff animal care team and volunteer programme, and income generation.

This work can be emotionally demanding, both for the team and for anyone leading it, and we're looking for someone who can support people through that while keeping the branch moving towards its goals.

We want to hear from people who are ready to take on full operational responsibility for a charity at an important point in its development, and who can bring both the financial and people skills to help us get there.

The full role profile is attached to this listing, with a complete breakdown of responsibilities and the person specification. In summary, we're looking for someone with:

• A track record of leading and managing teams through change, with experience of income generation, budget management and financial reporting
• Line management experience, including performance review and development, and the confidence to handle difficult conversations with care and consistency
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trust quickly, ideally backed by experience in animal welfare, the charity sector, a federated charity structure, and/or reporting to a board of trustees
• An empathetic, decisive and commercially minded approach to leadership, with the resilience to support a team through emotionally demanding work

We welcome applications from candidates looking to take a step up in their career, where the right attitude and clear potential are evident.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV along with a cover letter setting out the skills, experience and behaviours that make you a strong fit for this role, and answer a short set of eligibility questions as part of your application.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview which will include a short presentation based on a brief provided in advance.
We anticipate interviews will take place WC 31st August and/or WC 7th September 2026. Please indicate in your application if you do not have availability during these weeks. 

What We Offer

• Excellent remuneration package
• Full uniform and job-related equipment
• 28 days annual leave
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Full time or four days per week considered
• Up to one day per week working from home
• A supportive and engaged board with clear delegation and decision-making parameters
• A talented and committed team ready for strong leadership
• Genuine scope to shape the direction of the organisation at a pivotal moment
• A meaningful mission with real impact across Warrington, Halton and St Helens

This is an exciting opportunity to join one of London’s leading city farms and play a key role in providing opportunities, education, and training to the local community and beyond. As a small yet growing charitable organisation, this also offers candidates an opportunity for personal and professional growth.

Vauxhall City Farm turns 50 in 2026, and you will join a team that is committed, enthusiastic and future focused. This is a key role that is part of the Management Team leading the organisation. This role will lead in the growth of our profile, engagement with the community and income, to enable us to continue delivering our mission.

The main purpose of the job is to build and improve on our current local, regional, and national profile and our successful range of community, seasonal and corporate events. The role will develop new opportunities to make use of the spaces and resources within Vauxhall City Farm, enabling us to grow our engagement with our local community, and develop income from events and activities.

The post holder will have day-to-day responsibility for planning and ensuring the smooth implementation of a range of events, working with our different teams to support the coordination, staffing, work with our partners, ensure client and contractor management, budget management and monitoring and evaluation processes. All activities and promotion must also ensure compliance with our health and safety, other key policies, legal and insurance requirements. You will have excellent customer relations skills, business acumen, ability to plan ahead and to demonstrate attention to detail and problem solving and be highly organised.

Ready for your next step in fundraising?

If you’ve already had a taste of fundraising, marketing, or client services and you’re looking for an opportunity where you can learn quickly, elevate your career and help charities make a bigger impact, we’d love to hear from you.

At Pebblebeach, we're a boutique fundraising agency based in Brighton, helping brilliant charities raise more money so they can change more lives. For over 18 years, we've chosen to stay proudly boutique, building long-term relationships with our clients and creating a workplace where everyone knows each other, everyone's ideas matter and people genuinely enjoy coming to work.

Thanks to growing demand from our clients, we're expanding our team and looking for someone who shares our passion for great fundraising and wants to grow alongside us.

Why join us?

This isn’t your typical fundraising support role.

Working alongside our experienced fundraising consultants, you’ll gain hands-on experience across fundraising campaigns, client relationships, business development, marketing, project management, CRM and AI-powered ways of working.

As Pebblebeach grows, we hope you will too. We’ll support your development through mentoring, practical experience and a targeted training, giving you the opportunity to build a career in fundraising.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll play a key role in supporting our team and our charity clients by:

· Coordinating fundraising campaigns and consultancy projects.

· Supporting new business, proposals and client relationships.

· Delivering marketing activity and communications.

· Managing our HubSpot CRM and keeping data accurate.

· Researching fundraising opportunities and preparing presentations.

· Helping improve our systems, processes and use of AI.

No two weeks are the same - we are constantly learning, innovating and adapting - and that’s how we like it!

Who we’re looking for

You’ll probably have around 6–12 months’ experience in fundraising, marketing, customer service, client services, sales, administration or another office-based role.

More importantly, you’ll be someone who is:

· Curious, organised and eager to learn.

· Great with people and a confident communicator.

· Happy juggling different projects.

· Passionate about helping charities succeed.

· Looking for a long-term career where you can grow.

What you’ll get

· Mentoring from experienced fundraising professionals.

· Exposure to every part of a fundraising consultancy.

· A targeted training and development.

· Hybrid working from our Brighton office.

· A genuinely supportive, collaborative team.

· Great coffee, too many biscuits and the occasional visit from our office dogs.

A note about applying

As a people-centred business, we believe recruitment should be personal.

We won’t use AI to screen or shortlist applications—every application will be read by a real person.

In return, we’d love you to write your application yourself rather than relying on AI. We’re much more interested in hearing your voice, understanding what motivates you and getting a sense of who you are than reading something perfectly polished.

If you’re invited to interview, you’ll meet people who genuinely care about people, and we’ll communicate with every candidate we interview throughout the process.

How to apply

Please visit the Pebblebeach Fundraising website to read more about the role and download an application form.

Closing Date: 12pm Friday 31st July

Interview Date: Thursday 6th August

Bring your curiosity, your enthusiasm and your own voice. We’ll bring the support, the opportunities and the chance to build a rewarding career helping charities make the world just that bit better.

Director of Income Generation (Fundraising), Membership & Engagement

Bangor, North Wales / Hybrid with regular travel to relevant sites in North Wales 

Up to £60,000 (dependent on skills and experience) 

Permanent, Full Time (35 hours per week)

Closing Date – 10th August 2026
First Stage Interview – 20th August 2026
Second Stage Interview – 2nd September 2026

Lead the future of nature in North Wales

Can you build the relationships, influence and income needed to drive nature's recovery? Are you an inspiring senior leader with the ambition to drive transformational growth?

These are exciting times, and we’re looking for a Director of Income Generation (Fundraising), Membership & Engagement to drive the next phase of growth for our organisation!

You will deliver ambitious, sustainable income growth while deepening audience engagement and enhancing organisational profile, ensuring we have the resources, relationships and reputation needed to achieve our mission at scale.

This is a varied and influential role, leading fundraising, membership, marketing, communications and audience engagement. You will drive growth across a diverse range of income streams, develop high-value partnerships, strengthen our brand and supporter experience and use insight and innovation to maximise impact and long-term sustainability. You will also lead and inspire a high-performing team while acting as a senior ambassador for the organisation.

The role will be hybrid (after settling in period) and we have office facilities available in Bangor or Aberduna.

Who we are looking for

• Proven success in multi-stream income generation
• Senior leadership experience
• Development and delivery of income growth strategies
• Strategic leadership and organisational decision-making
• High-level stakeholder engagement and influencing
• Demonstrable success in building and managing high-value partnerships
• Ability to build and lead high-performing teams
• Strong commercial acumen and results-driven approach
• Experience of managing substantial budgets, income targets and financial performance

This role may particularly appeal to senior leaders currently working as a Director of External Relations, Director of Partnerships, Director of Development or in a similar strategic leadership position, who have responsibility for income generation, stakeholder engagement, membership growth, communications and external partnerships.

Welsh language skills are not essential for this role but are highly desirable. We expect the successful candidate, if not already fluent, to be committed to learning Welsh and to demonstrate a strong understanding of and support for Welsh culture, which is integral to our work in land management and nature recovery.

We are proud to offer a wide range of benefits including:   

• 32 days of holiday per year, including statutory Bank Holidays, which increase by one day for each fully completed year of service up to a maximum of 38 days. 
• Salary Exchange Pension (6% ER contributions – 6% EE contributions) 
• Life Assurance (2x salary) 
• Learn Welsh on us 

Applicant Information Session

To help prospective applicants learn more about this exciting opportunity, we will be holding a Webinar on Monday 27 July 2026 between 6:00pm to 7:00pm.

This session will provide an opportunity to:

• Learn more about the role and its responsibilities.
• Understand why this is a critical new role for the Trust.
• Hear about the vision and ambitions for the position.
• Ask any questions you may have