Managing Director

A bit about the role

We’re looking for a Managing Director to lead the next chapter of the Thin Blue Paw Foundation, shaping the strategic direction and operational excellence of a fast-growing national charity dedicated to protecting, celebrating and rehabilitating serving and retired police dogs across the United Kingdom.

As the organisation’s sole employee, you will be at the heart of everything we do, driving strategy, operations, marketing & communications, and fundraising with autonomy, ownership, and purpose. You will take responsibility for the charity’s day-to-day running, long-term planning, and the delivery of initiatives that improve the welfare and care of serving and retired police dogs, including through our newly established National Association of Police Dog Handlers.

You will build and maintain strong relationships with supporters, trustees, partners, and the policing community, and you will ensure that our operational processes, beneficiary support, campaigns, and income generation all run smoothly and effectively.

The role requires flexibility, including attending events, ceremonies, and engagements across evenings and weekends each month. You’ll work closely with our Board of Trustees and volunteers, collaborating to ensure the Foundation continues to grow sustainably while staying true to its mission.

A bit more detail

In this role, you can expect to…

Lead and deliver organisational strategy

• Develop and execute the Foundation’s long-term strategic plan with the Board of Trustees.
• Ensure strong governance, compliance, risk management, and effectiveness across all areas.
• Report regularly to the Board with performance updates, insights, and recommendations.

Oversee day-to-day operations

• Manage all core operations, ensuring processes are efficient and aligned to organisational needs.
• Oversee financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting, ensuring responsible management of charitable funds and long-term financial sustainability.
• Maintain high-quality case management and beneficiary support for serving and retired police dogs.
• Uphold and refine policies on safeguarding, data protection (GDPR), welfare, and service delivery
• Coordinate volunteers and support the Trustee Board with administrative and operational needs.

Drive marketing, communications & supporter engagement

• Develop and implement the charity’s marketing and communications strategy across digital channels, campaigns, newsletters, and public outreach.
• Plan and deliver compelling content that raises awareness and strengthens engagement with supporters and partners.
• Maintain brand consistency and ensure all messaging aligns with the mission and values of the Foundation.
• Campaign development, storytelling, and digital engagement, including optimising the website and CRO to drive digital donor engagement, acquisition, and retention.

Lead fundraising & income generation

• Develop multi-channel fundraising strategies across individual giving, campaigns, corporate partnerships, grants, events, and digital fundraising.
• Build and nurture donor and partner relationships with professionalism and warmth.
• Identify and pursue new fundraising opportunities with creativity and strategic focus.
• Manage income forecasting, budgeting, and financial oversight to support long-term sustainability.

Represent the Foundation at events

• Attend and support events, ceremonies, police dog engagements, fundraising activities, and partner visits (including evening and weekend commitments).
• Build meaningful relationships across policing, welfare groups, supporters, and the canine community.

A bit about you

• You’ve held a senior leadership role in a charity, nonprofit, mission-driven organisation, or commercial equivalent.
• You are highly organised and comfortable running an organisation end-to-end as the sole employee.
• You bring experience across marketing, communications, digital engagement, and charity campaigning.
• You have demonstrable experience in fundraising and donor stewardship.
• You are an excellent communicator and storyteller who can inspire supporters, partners, and trustees.
• You enjoy building relationships and are confident working with external stakeholders, including policing partners.
• You’re proactive, hands-on, and comfortable switching between strategic planning and day-to-day delivery.
• You are flexible and willing to attend events across evenings and weekends.
• You have a full UK driving licence.
• You’re passionate about animal welfare, policing communities, and the mission of the Thin Blue Paw Foundation.

A bit about us

Founded in 2020, The Thin Blue Paw Foundation is a national charity dedicated to supporting serving and retired police dogs across the UK. We believe that these exceptional working dogs deserve protection, recognition, and the highest standard of care during their service and throughout retirement. We provide financial support for veterinary treatment, raise awareness of the vital work police dogs do, and campaign for improved welfare standards.

Through the dedication of supporters, volunteers, and policing communities, we’ve grown rapidly and we’re just getting started. This role will help drive the next chapter of our mission to protect the paws that protect us.

A bit about what we offer

• Salary - £60,000 - £65,000
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Hybrid – Monday, Wednesday and Friday (Office – Hertfordshire) - Tuesday/Thursday (WFH)
• Training & development opportunities
• Pension scheme (5%)
• The chance to shape a growing national charity with real impact
• Regular interactions with police dogs