Cat welfare learning officer jobs

Team: Advocacy

Location: Remote with regular travel - Must be a commutable distance to Edinburgh or Belfast

Work pattern: Mon-Fri, 7 hours per day. Occasional weekend or evening hours required

Salary: Up to £37,565.95 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 Advocacy and Government Relations Officer for Scotland/Northern Ireland:

- This role will cover both Scotland and Northern Ireland, the successful candidate will need to be able to travel between the two nations

- Lead engagement with the Scottish Government, the Northern Irish Executive, UK and local Government

- Support engagement with the UK Parliament

- Monitor parliamentary activity daily and conducting online research

- Preparing position statements and responses to external policy developments

- Developing public-facing charity campaigns including online resources, organising events and delivering presentations

- Media spokesperson for Cats Protection

About the Advocacy team:

You will be working as part of the Advocacy & Government Relations team in the Advocacy & Influence Directorate. The team is made up of 11 members who work across the whole of the UK speaking up for cats. Our campaigns change laws to better protect the health and welfare of cats.

What we’re looking for in our Advocacy and Government Relations Officer for Scotland/Northern Ireland:

- Experience of advocacy, public affairs or influencing work (which may include campaigns), ideally in Scotland/Northern Ireland

- Lives within a commutable distance of Edinburgh or Belfast or willing to relocate to the area

- Experience of policy work and research

- Experience of dealing with high profile/ VIP individuals e.g. Ministers, MSs, MPs, MSPs, MLAs, Government Officials, Local Councillors and officers, corporate executives; professional organisations

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

- Resilience and an ability to deal with potentially upsetting topics

- Experience of effective use of social media and the internet in an advocacy/campaign context

- A confident communicator with good written and oral skills; and great people skills

- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to be flexible and adaptable

- Intermediate skills using Microsoft Office – Teams, Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint

What we can offer you:

- range of health benefits

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

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

- Access to a wide range of internal and external learning and development opportunities

- A friendly and supportive team

- We are happy to wait for the right candidate, please still consider applying if you have several months’ notice period

- and much more, which you can learn about

Application closing date: 11th February 2026

Virtual interview date: 5th & 6th March 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

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

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

Job Title: Finance Manager/Senior Finance Controller

Contract length: Permanent

Location: Hybrid

Hours per week: 35

Salary:  £55-60K pa depending on experience and knowledge

Closing date for applications: Sunday 22nd February 2026 , we reserve the right to end the vacancy before the closing date; interested candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible

First interview: First interviews will be held over Microsoft Teams

Second interview: Candidates successful at first interview will be invited to visit Mayhew and to have a second interview in person.

We are looking for our next Finance Manager / Senior Financial Controller, someone who shares our compassion for animal welfare and wants to play a central role in stewarding Mayhew’s financial resources for the greatest impact.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, you will work closely with senior colleagues across Mayhew—including members of the Senior Management Team—to support strong financial direction, responsible stewardship, and effective, mission‑driven decision‑making across the charity.

This is a highly visible and hands‑on leadership role. You will lead Mayhew’s day‑to‑day finance function, ensuring strong financial controls, good practice financial management, and timely, accessible financial reporting for colleagues, trustees and partners. You will be responsible for all aspects of financial planning, management accounting, statutory reporting and SORP compliance, as well as supporting operational teams with practical financial insight and advice.

You will also help develop and strengthen financial systems and processes, recognising that—as a mid‑sized charity with evolving needs—Mayhew continues to refine its structures to best support our work. You will lead and support a small finance team, modelling an open, collaborative and hands‑on working style.

Our London site—our historic rescue and rehoming centre—is at the heart of our UK operations. You will collaborate with colleagues across operations, veterinary services, fundraising, people and engagement to ensure financial clarity underpins good decision‑making as we continue to care for dogs and cats in need.

In this role, you will:

• Lead, direct and deliver all aspects of Mayhew’s finance function, ensuring strong, proportionate controls and high‑quality financial information.
• Engage, influence and collaborate with senior colleagues and trustees to support the effective delivery of our strategic and operational goals.
• Provide clear financial guidance to non‑finance colleagues and act as a supportive, trusted partner across the organisation.
• Lead and support a small finance team, encouraging a positive, collaborative and hands‑on culture.
• Strengthen and improve finance systems and processes to increase efficiency, consistency and compliance.

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Strong charity finance experience, including Charity SORP (FRS 102), fund accounting, statutory reporting, financial planning, budgeting, and knowledge of VAT and Gift Aid.
• Hands‑on experience of month‑end accounting, financial controls, cashflow management, and management accounts preparation.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate financial information clearly for non‑finance colleagues and trustees.
• A collaborative, supportive and pragmatic working style, with confidence to improve processes and work flexibly within a smaller organisation.
• Experience leading and developing a small team through open, positive and supportive management.

Please note that successful candidates will be asked to evidence their Right to Work in the UK post-job offer – we do not hold a sponsor licence therefore we are unable to provide Visa sponsorship.