Animal welfare officer jobs in Leicester, england

Team: Advocacy 

Location: Remote with travel to Westminster approx. twice a month 

Work pattern: 35 hours per week, Monday-Friday 

Salary: Up to £31,918.98 per year 

Contract: Permanent 

We are the UK’s largest cat welfare charity. All over the country, our passionate employees, volunteers and supporters are using their kindness and expertise to make life better for millions of cats and the people who care for them. 

Will you join us and make life better for cats? 

Responsibilities of our Assistant Advocacy & Government Relations Officer: 

- providing day-to-day support for the whole advocacy team 

- undertaking core advocacy tasks such as leading on daily political and media monitoring

- conducting online research to add value and support overall work of the team 

- providing meeting and event support 

- assisting with preparation of briefings for parliamentary debates 

- reporting on the outcome of campaigns to the advocacy team 

- content creation for the advocacy web pages 

- general administrative duties 

About the Advocacy team: 

The Advocacy & Government Relations team leads the charity in influencing decision-makers and those whose policies, practices and decisions affect cat welfare across the UK. The small, highly motivated team works to influence legislators (national and devolved governments), professional organisations and corporates. The team has successfully influenced the law on microchipping, pet theft and commercial kitten sales in England and worked with the Scottish Government to regulate cat breeding and rehoming activities. The team also runs digital campaigns as part of its strategy. 

What we’re looking for in our Assistant Advocacy & Government Relations Officer: 

- lives within a commutable (within one hour) distance of Westminster 

- experience working in advocacy, public affairs or influencing work (which may include campaigns) and knowledge of UK political systems 

- proven experience extracting relevant information from political monitoring sources 

- strong administration skills, including project and spreadsheet management 

- experience, or an understanding, of dealing with high profile/ VIP individuals e.g Ministers, MSPs, MLAs, MPs, etc 

- experience completing online and desk research 

- experience or understanding of event organisation 

- experience preparing PowerPoint presentations 

- proven ability to multi-task and work independently on own initiative, accurately and under pressure 

- agile, happy to be hands-on and help in all areas of the advocacy team 

- confident using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint, Zoom and MS Teams) 

- knowledge of our work and campaigns and an understanding of the charity sector 

What we can offer you: 

- range of health benefits 

- 26 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with length of service 

- Salary Finance, which empowers you to take control of your financial wellbeing 

- and much more, which you can learn about

Application closing date: 20th April 2026 

Virtual interview date: 11th & 12th May 2026 

Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment. Please note, applications received after the closing date may not be responded to. 

If successful, your recruitment journey will include: 

1. anonymised application form 

2. video screening 

3. Virtual interview with task 

Please note, the process may change slightly dependent on application numbers. We will inform you of any relevant changes. 

Please email [email protected] if you require any adjustments to be made for you to complete your application or to participate in the recruitment journey. 

Action Medical Research is the leading UK-wide charity dedicated to funding vital research to help sick babies and children. We’re on a mission to save and change children’s lives through medical research, developing treatments, vaccinations and cures. A UK-wide charity, we’ve been funding medical breakthroughs for over 70 years, helping to beat polio, fight meningitis, prevent stillbirths and develop ultrasound scanning in pregnancy. Our work is now needed more than ever. To help achieve this, we are seeking to recruit an Individual Giving Officer (internally titled Direct Marketing Officer – Individual Giving) to join the Direct Marketing Team. In this exciting new role, you will support the delivery of our Individual Giving programme to help recruit and steward supporters through regular giving, lottery, payroll and cash giving programmes.

You’ll be responsible for creating compelling content that inspires people to support our work, while also working closely with suppliers and internal teams to ensure the smooth planning, delivery, and analysis of campaigns across multiple channels—including direct mail, face-to-face, and digital.

The ideal candidate will bring direct marketing experience, preferably within the charity sector, along with excellent creative and project management skills, and a genuine passion for helping to save and change children’s lives through medical research.

Action Medical Research funds a range of medical research, including genetic, stem cell and, in some cases, animal research. The use of animals is limited and only permitted where no alternative methods are available, and all research is conducted in accordance with strict UK regulations and welfare standards. The majority of the projects we fund do not involve animals. Full details can be found in our research policies on our website.

If you have not heard from us by 29 April 2026, then unfortunately, you have not been shortlisted for interview.

Background

We are Humane World for Animals, formerly called the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International. Since 1954, we have worked to create a more humane society for animals. Working side by side as the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International, we have helped to pass thousands of landmark laws, rescue hundreds of thousands of animals, and cared for and protected millions more.

In 2025, to convey our mission and make sure that everyone understands who we are and the bold work that we do, our organisations are standing together under a new shared name: Humane World for Animals. 

We are dedicated to changing the world for animals. We drive change with human action. We help people, communities, governments, and corporations shift behaviour, providing the right support and advocating for policy change to stem the root causes of suffering and cruelty.

Purpose of role

As the Managing Director for the UK and Europe, you will develop and deliver the European fundraising strategy and plans and oversee the execution of all fundraising activities in Europe. These activities include, but are not limited to individual giving, major gifts, bequests, corporate giving, and community fundraising.

Primary responsibilities

The job holder will have the following key responsibilities: 

• Oversees fundraising activities and performance in Humane World for Animals’ EU and UK offices. Works closely with the Country Directors and the VP of International Fundraising on the execution of the fundraising programmes. Identifies opportunities to improve efficiency and facilitates collaboration efforts across European offices. (30%)
• Manages all fundraisers in the region and ensures they achieve their goals by providing guidance and advice, training, performance management and career development. Coordinates priorities and tasks and monitors progress. (25%)
• Monitors and reports on performance progress towards agreed revenue targets; efficiency and cost-effectiveness (including external fundraising contractors); and challenges or opportunities in the external fundraising environment. (20%)
• Creates and manages the budget for fundraising expenses and income targets. Sets and reviews multi-year and yearly investment and revenue targets. (10%)
• Leads research, planning, and implementation of new marketing initiatives and acquisition programmes, including but not limited to DRTV, face-to-face, telemarketing and PSMS Mobile channels. Establishes effective donor retention strategies and oversees their execution. (10%)
• Works closely with the VP of International Fundraising to develop and execute a strategic vision to grow fundraising income in the Europe region, translating the vision into an action plan, and ensuring the successful implementation and execution of the vision. (5%)

Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and experience

• An academic degree or equivalent work experience is required.
• A minimum of eight or more years of fundraising experience with a proven track record in driving significant, multi-channel revenue growth across multiple markets.
• A minimum of five years of senior management experience leading fundraising or marketing teams, including leadership responsibilities for staff, strategy development and execution, and budget accountability, preferably in the animal welfare arena, required.
• Demonstrated experience scaling high-performing international fundraising programs. International NGO experience strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to deliver multi‑million income portfolios, optimize ROI, and drive continuous improvement in donor acquisition and retention.
• Experience accurately forecasting and reporting on revenue, expenditures and delivering against agreed KPIs.
• At least five years’ experience in at least one of the following income streams: individual giving, major gifts, bequests, corporate giving, and/or community fundraising. Additionally, a strong preference for marketing experience.

Skills and qualifications

• Excellent people managerial skills: ability to coach, motivate, and manage high‑performing fundraisers across dispersed locations.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to plan workload in order to manage fundraising program priorities and meet agreed targets.
• Ability to demonstrate initiative, entrepreneurial spirit, and drive to achieve desired outcomes.
• Ability to thrive in a matrixed, fast-paced, mission‑driven environment and drive collaboration across countries and functions.
• Knowledge and understanding of GDPR and other data protection regulations.
• Excellent English verbal and written skills.
• Ability to work in a self-directed manner.
• Willing and able to travel extensively in Europe.

The Humane League UK is a high-impact charity dedicated to ending the abuse of animals raised for food, combining strategic campaigning with a strong commitment to impact, innovation, and accountability.

As part of The Humane League’s global network, we drive change through influencing the policies of the world’s biggest companies, demanding legislation, and empowering others to take action, improving the lives of millions of animals every year. 

The organisation is now at a pivotal moment. With a strong foundation of success and a growing movement for animal welfare, we are entering a new strategic period, scaling our impact, strengthening our operations, and expanding our influence across the UK and beyond. 

We are now seeking an exceptional Managing Director to lead our dedicated team and help shape the next stage of our journey.

Managing Director 
Remote, UK Based 
Starting Salary of £84,078 or £92,486 for Inner London Weighting. This salary is for 30 hours per week over Monday to Thursday.

The Opportunity 

We are looking for a strategic and dedicated individual to lead The Humane League UK’s operations – setting direction, delivering ambitious campaigns, and ensuring alignment with global priorities, while working with our high-performing, mission-driven team.

As a visible and influential leader, you will represent The Humane League UK externally, building partnerships, influencing corporate and public policy, and strengthening our reputation as a leader in animal advocacy. 

You will also work closely with the global leadership team, Board, staff, and partners. The Managing Director will be the driving force behind The Humane League UK’s strategy and impact. 

You will lead an organisation that is bold, strategic, and outcomes-focused, capable of driving systemic change and accelerating progress towards a more humane food system.
 

About You 

We are looking for an inspirational and strategic leader who brings: 

• Proven experience as a senior visionary strategic leader with an understanding of animal protection and/or food systems. 

• A strong track record of senior leadership, with experience delivering organisational strategy and impact. 

• The ability to lead and inspire high-performing teams in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment. 

• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills, with the credibility and experience in campaigning and influencing across corporate, nonprofit, and public sectors.

• Strategic thinking combined with operational rigour, able to translate vision into action. 

• A strong alignment with our mission and values, and a passion for creating meaningful change.

How to Apply 

If you would like an informal conversation about the role, please contact our retained advisors Erica Ritchie or Anna Gardet via email with a copy of your CV.

Further information can be found at the Prospectus website. 

Recruitment Timetable 

Deadline for applications: Sunday 19th April 
First stage interviews: 5th – 6th May 
Second stage interviews and presentation: 18th – 19th May 

Final stage interviews: 26th – 28th May