Wild Welfare is an international animal welfare charity dedicated to ending the suffering of captive wild animals. We work with zoos, aquariums, and wildlife sanctuaries around the world to improve animal welfare standards through training, capacity-building, and long-term collaboration.
Our Vision is to create a world where every captive wild animal is able to thrive and live a good life.
Becoming a trustee of Wild Welfare is a chance to make a real difference to hundreds of thousands of animals’ lives around the world. You’ll help guide the charity’s future, support progressive animal welfare reform, and work with an expert team.
We are seeking Trustees to join our Board of Trustees and support our mission by helping us grow sustainable income and strengthen our organisational resilience.
This is an exciting opportunity to bring your professional expertise in fundraising, legalisation, HR and Business Management, to a passionate and committed charity that is making a tangible difference to wild animals worldwide.
What you’ll do
- Contribute to the Board’s strategic oversight of Wild Welfare, providing leadership over the charity’s governance and financial sustainability.
- Provide expert guidance on income generation, fundraising strategy, charity management, and development.
- Support the charity in identifying and developing new fundraising opportunities (corporate partnerships, grants, major donors, and innovative income streams).
- Act as an ambassador for Wild Welfare, representing the charity and helping to expand our networks.
- Work collaboratively with fellow trustees and the senior leadership team to ensure the charity achieves its mission and long-term objectives.
What we’re looking for
We welcome applications from individuals with experience in any of the following areas:
- Fundraising (trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships, individual giving, or major donors).
- Charity and/or business development and strategic growth.
- Commercial or financial acumen, ideally with an understanding of not-for-profit income generation.
- Knowledge of the legal aspects of charity management and compliance.
- Strong networks and relationship-building skills.
- Commitment to Wild Welfare’s values and passion for improving the lives of captive wild animals.
Previous trustee experience or animal welfare experience is not essential – we welcome applications from people new to charity governance. Full induction and support will be provided.
Why join us?
- Play a vital role in shaping the future of an international charity.
- Contribute your skills to a cause which transforms lives for wild animals across the globe.
- Join a collaborative and supportive Board of Trustees with diverse expertise.
- Gain valuable governance and leadership experience.
Role Specification: Trustee
Main Responsibilities
- Provide leadership and oversight on matters relating to fundraising and income generation.
- Help shape and monitor the charity’s fundraising strategy, ensuring it is realistic, ethical, and aligned with organisational goals.
- Advise on diversifying income streams, with a focus on long-term sustainability.
- Open doors to new partnerships, networks, and opportunities that may benefit the charity.
- Support the Director and senior management team by offering constructive advice, feedback, and expertise.
- Overseeing the charity’s compliance with fundraising regulations and best practice standards.
- Uphold the Board’s collective responsibility for effective governance, safeguarding, and financial management.
Person Specification
- Essential
- Experience in fundraising, charity/business development, or income generation.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to analyse opportunities and risks.
- Willingness to use personal networks and expertise to further the charity’s fundraising potential and reach.
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
- Commitment to Wild Welfare’s mission, values, and long-term sustainability.
- Desirable
- Knowledge of international development, or the animal welfare sector.
- Understanding of charity governance and the role of a trustee.
- Experience in developing sustainable income models.
Terms of Appointment
- This is a voluntary position; reasonable expenses will be reimbursed if required to travel for meetings.
- Trustees are expected to attend virtual Board meetings twice a year (usually June and December) and participate in occasional sub-committees or events (virtual or in-person). Online meetings are limited to 1.5-hours.
- The initial term is three years, with the option of renewal for a further three years.
- It is a criminal offence for an individual to serve as a Trustee if disqualified from doing so. Appropriate checks will be carried out to ensure that individuals who have been selected to become a Trustee are eligible. These checks will include references and Charity Commission/Companies House verification.
- There will be an initial probationary period of 1-year.
- Trustees are subject to our governing documents.
- Wild Welfare is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where every individual is treated with dignity and respect.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Who we are:
The Humane League UK (THL UK) is dedicated to ending the abuse of animals raised for food by influencing the policies of leading food companies, advocating for stronger animal protection laws, and encouraging individuals to take action. We are part of a global network of organisations working to create a future where all animals are treated with respect and compassion.
Thanks to our effectiveness, The Humane League has been named Top Charity by the independent evaluator Animal Charity Evaluators for every rating period since 2012.
THL UK is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to furthering equity and inclusion, and we value diversity. We seek people from a wide range of backgrounds who will bring a fresh perspective to the team, not just because it is the right thing to do, but because it makes us stronger.
We are proud to be a Disability Confident Committed Employer, demonstrating our commitment to recruiting, retaining, and supporting disabled people and people with health conditions, based on their skills and talent.
You can read more about how The Humane League UK is working on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion via our website.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding accessibility, please contact us via our website and we will be happy to discuss, via email or telephone, reasonable adjustments that you may require throughout the process.
The Position
We are seeking two new Trustees to add to the current Board of five voluntary members.
Board members (trustees) of THL UK are responsible for providing strategic leadership, ensuring strong governance, and safeguarding the organisation’s mission, values, and financial sustainability. This is a voluntary position, and trustees are expected to act in the best interests of the charity and in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements.
Whether you are an experienced charity trustee or looking for your first board position; if you believe you can share our commitment for ending the abuse of animals raised for food and have the qualities, knowledge and experience we are looking for, then we’d love to hear from you.
For full details on the role of trustees please view our information pack which is available in the application resources.
If you would like to learn more about the Trustee role you can watch our recent webinar by following the 'Redirect to recruiter' button.
Person specification and requirements for this role
While specific experience in animal protection is not essential, all Board members must:
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Demonstrate a commitment to the aims and values of THL UK.
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Understand and accept the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship.
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Bring a strategic mindset and the ability to make well-reasoned, independent decisions.
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Be able to communicate in ways that build understanding and trust, and contribute positively to collaborative team working.
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Be willing to devote the necessary time and effort to the role.
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Be committed to moving forward with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion best practices.
Specialist Expertise Sought
In addition to the general requirements above, we are particularly seeking candidates who can bring expertise in one or more of the following areas:
1. Charity Governance
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In-depth knowledge of charity governance best practice, preferably gained through prior trustee, board, or senior charity leadership experience.
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Understanding of regulatory compliance and governance frameworks for UK charities.
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Legal skills relating to charity law, contracts, risk management, or related fields (desirable).
2. Charity and Fundraising Finance
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Experience in charity finance, fundraising finance, or non-profit financial management.
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Ability to read and interpret management accounts, budgets, and forecasts.
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Understanding of financial controls, audit processes, and risk management within a charitable context.
We welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds and with a range of perspectives. Having reviewed existing Trustees' diversity we would particularly welcome applications from ethnic minorities, disabled people and marginalised groups.
Where candidates bring similar skills and experience, we may take lived experience or background into account to help us build a more representative and inclusive board.
Key Responsibilities
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Contribute actively to the Board’s role in giving strategic direction, setting overall policy, defining goals, and evaluating performance.
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Ensure that THL UK complies with its governing document, charity law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
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Oversee the financial health of the charity, approving annual budgets and monitoring financial performance.
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Champion the fundraising work of THL UK in various ways–for example by introducing new donors from your network, actively promoting THL UK’s fundraising initiatives (like our end of year appeal), or by donating directly if you have the means to do so.
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Protect and promote the charity’s values, reputation, and effectiveness.
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Support and challenge the executive team to achieve the organisation’s objectives.
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Act as an ambassador for THL UK, promoting its work to stakeholders and the public.
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Participate in Board meetings (typically four per year) and occasional sub-committee meetings, as well as contributing advice and guidance outside formal meetings when required.
Key competencies
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Strategic thinker: Looks at consequences, implications, interdependencies, and indirect effects, all in both the short and longer term. Looks beyond the immediate goal or issue and with the greater context, not just the content of the moment. Is able to think and act creatively in difficult situations.
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Problem solver: Identifies issues, effectively structures problems, analyses information to produce insights and generates wise, actionable recommendations. A forward-looking thinker who anticipates the needs of the organisation.
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Effective: Strategically able to focus our energy, resources and talent toward impactful actions that will reduce, and ultimately end, the abuse of animals for food.
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Communication and strong interpersonal skills: Ability to communicate in ways that build understanding and trust and can adapt to different tones and styles and be able to engage with people from all walks of life.
The commitment
We are looking for trustees that are able to commit the time needed to support the growth and aims of our charity. You should be able to spend about four hours per month on regular trustee business. In addition to this, we also ask trustees to commit to:
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Four quarterly Board meetings per year, plus preparation time. Quarterly board meetings tend to happen in the evenings between 6:30 - 9 pm.
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Two other ad hoc board meetings throughout the year, which may happen in the evenings or during regular working hours.
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Participation in sub-committees or working groups where relevant.
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Attendance at our in person all team summer workshop, held at the end of July.
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Occasional attendance at in-person fundraising or public engagement events.
The Interview Process
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The closing date for applications is Sunday 23rd November 2025.
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We will be carrying out telephone screening calls from Monday 24th November to Thursday 11th December 2025.
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We will inform all candidates if they will be invited to interview by Thursday 18th December 2025.
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Interviews will be held remotely from Monday 12th to Thursday 22nd January 2025.
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The successful candidates will be invited to attend a board meeting in February 2026 before being voted in.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding accessibility, please contact us via our website and we will be happy to discuss, via email or telephone, reasonable adjustments that you may require throughout the process.
Registered Charity
21 - 50
We exist to end the abuse of animals raised for food
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.