Head of digital jobs

The RSA is the home of ideas, turning possibility into progress since 1754. From pioneering invention and design to shaping social change, we are a place for action and connection, where people drive real change. And today this matters more than ever. 

This is a chance to lead and define the RSA’s digital presence and purpose: growing reach, deepening engagement, and helping to connect more people with “the home of ideas”. You’ll be a key member of the RSA leadership team at an exciting and crucial moment; you’ll grow and inspire a diverse global Fellowship community, and the RSA brand itself. 

You’ll lead a team spearheading all things digital, developing a fantastic website and brilliant digital activity that raises the RSA’s profile and influence, shows its vision, and brings more Fellows (members) into the fold.

If you’re someone who loves combining creativity with strategy, someone who can think big with the skills for getting hands-on, we’d love to hear from you. 

What you’ll do 

• Develop and deliver a digital strategy that supports our goals and values, including the customer journey of potential Fellows. 
• Deliver digital activity to grow awareness, engagement, and ultimately increase Fellowship. 
• Lead, inspire, and develop a cross-functional digital team, setting clear goals and fostering innovation. 
• Oversee continuous improvement of the website (including design and build done by the team). 
• Manage creation of inspiring content, from blogs and videos to social media. 
• Lead digital marketing across paid, organic, and email channels. 
• Champion accessibility and innovation in everything we do online. 
• Act as a thought leader, keeping the company ahead of emerging digital trends, technologies, and consumer behaviours. 
• Collaborate closely with creative, events and Fellowship teams, to ensure consistency of messaging and audience engagement. 
• Use data and insight to continuously analyse and evolve our digital activity – amplifying reach, impact, and relevance. 
• Define performance targets and KPIs for digital activity: including engagement, growth and Fellowship (membership) sign-ups. 

Who you are 

• A creative, strategic thinker who is comfortable balancing the big picture with hands-on delivery, from planning campaigns to creative social media. 
• Collaborative and supportive, intellectually curious. 
• Data-driven but people-focused. Cares about impact, storytelling, and results in equal measure. 

Your key experience 

• Proven experience leading digital marketing, content, and websites.
• Track record of running digital campaigns and overseeing social media channels. 
• Strong understanding of website management, UX, and digital design (you don’t need to code, but you can brief and oversee developers confidently). 
• Experience using analytics tools to track and report on digital performance. 
• Excellent communication, writing, and stakeholder management skills. 
• Experience managing budgets, agencies, or freelancers. 
• Experience with a charity or purpose-led organisation preferable. 

Early applications are encouraged – apply now! 

Inclusion at the RSA 

As a social change organisation, we believe everyone, regardless of visible or invisible difference should feel welcomed and able to contribute to creating a better future. You can read our full inclusion statement on our website. 

We are seeking a Head of Digital, Data and Technology to lead and shape our digital infrastructure, data governance and analytics capability.

Head of Digital, Data and Technology
Location: Head Office, Regents Park, London NW1 – Hybrid + Some travel required 
Salary: C. £90,000

Purpose of the role

The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is an international conservation charity, driven by science, working to restore wildlife in the UK and around the world. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and every role, every person in every corner of ZSL has one thing in common, we are all conservationists, and passionate about restoring wildlife.

In this role, you’ll guide and empower ZSL on its digital, data and technology journey, building confidence and capability across the organisation in how tools, data and insight are used to drive real impact.

You will play a key role in designing and delivering user-focused technologies, improving operational efficiency, and strengthening how we tell our conservation stories through data and digital innovation. By delivering user-focused technologies, improving operational efficiency, and strengthening our conservation storytelling, this role will evolve and future-proof ZSL’s digital ecosystem while supporting our mission to protect and restore nature in the UK and around the world.

This post is a blended role for office and home working; some travel to Zoo sites will be required.

Key Responsibilities:

Digital leadership and transformation

• Define and deliver a transformative digital, data, and technology vision aligned with ZSL’s strategic goals, embedding innovation to drive measurable impact on conservation outcomes and supporter engagement.
• Provide strategic oversight of IT operations, ensuring services align with organisational objectives, enable innovation, and support long-term growth.
• Lead ZSL’s digital transformation journey, championing system integration and adoption of digital solutions to foster a culture of digital literacy across the organisation.
• Design and implement change management strategies, readiness assessments, and adoption plans to ensure smooth delivery of digital initiatives and high-quality user experience.
• Engage and influence senior stakeholders across the organisation to secure buy-in and alignment on digital priorities.

Systems and infrastructure

• Identify, develop, and implement accessible, user-focused technologies and environmentally sustainable solutions that enhance organisational efficiency, impact, and engagement.
• Ensure IT infrastructure is robust, scalable, and reliable to meet future organisational needs while adhering to sustainability commitments.
• Increase organisational resilience by proactively managing risks associated with digital projects, including cyber security threats, data breaches, and system downtime.
• Develop, maintain and connect databases, platforms and tools to enable effective and improved ways of working across ZSL systems.

Data, Analytics and Cyber Security

• Establish and maintain strong data governance frameworks that ensure data integrity, compliance, and security, positioning data as a strategic organisational asset.
• Drive integration across key datasets and applications holding conservation, science, and supporter content using analytics tools such as PowerBI and middleware.
• Lead insights-driven decision-making by leveraging analytics to optimise user experience, operational efficiency, and storytelling impact for all stakeholders.
• Oversee cyber security strategy, including policy, risk management, incident response, and reporting to the executive team, ensuring organisational resilience.

People Leadership

• Lead, develop, and inspire high-performing digital and system users and IT teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.
• Build capability across the organisation to enhance digital literacy and adoption of new technologies.

About You

• Extensive experience in IT, digital, data, or technology leadership roles, demonstrating increasing responsibility over time.
• Proven track record of developing and delivering organisational digital and ICT strategies.
• Broad experience across multiple IT and digital disciplines.
• Experience managing budgets with a focus on cost-effectiveness and value for money.
• Demonstrated success in leading and developing large, high-performing teams.
• Outstanding leadership and strategic thinking capabilities, with the ability to set vision and direction.
• Deep understanding of data ecosystems, including platforms, governance, and insight generation.
• Strong grasp of technical data concepts, including databases, data science, business intelligence, analytics, and cloud technologies.
• Thorough knowledge of data governance principles, data ethics, relevant regulatory frameworks (e.g., GDPR), and cyber security best practice.
• Highly skilled at influencing and building relationships at senior organisational levels.
• Strong commitment to creating a culture that lives ZSL values and commitment to safeguarding, equality and diversity (collaborative, inspiring, inclusive, innovative, impactful and ethical).

About Us

We’re ZSL, an international conservation charity. Through our unrivalled animal experts in our two zoos (London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo), the work of our pioneering scientists, our dedicated conservationists, our purpose is to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wild animals going extinct. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and we’re working every day to achieve this. From investigating the health threats facing animals, to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, we are committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction. 

What do we offer? 

At ZSL, we are proud of our approach to employee benefits. Our benefits include: 

• Our vision and purpose - you’ll work alongside colleagues who are passionate about science-led conservation, knowing that you will help us to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wildlife going extinct 
• Pension scheme - we offer a generous pension scheme with up to 12% contributory pension
• Flexible working – talk to us about your flexible working requirements and we will do everything we can to make sure you work in a way that suits you 
• Holidays – 25 days annual leave allowance, plus UK bank holidays 
• Wellbeing – access to a blended programme of wellbeing initiatives, including confidential access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme 
• Life assurance – eligible employees will be enrolled in ZSL’s life assurance scheme from their first day
• Complimentary tickets – annual allocation of Whipsnade Zoo and London Zoo tickets, with a 30% discount in online and retail shops 
• Cycle2Work - our cycle to work scheme enables you to lease a bicycle 
• Season ticket loan - we offer an interest free loan for eligibly London-based employees to buy a season ticket for travel between home and work 
• Family friendly policies – we offer enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption packages 

We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage. We are committed to ensuring our teams can bring their authentic selves to work without fear of discrimination. ZSL has active equality networks for our staff with lived experience and those who provide active allyship in Race and Culture, Team Pride, Disability Network, and Menopause Network, complemented by our strategic EDI Steering Group. 

This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including the candidate's right to work in the UK.

Closing Date: 8th February 2026

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

No agencies please.