Assistant Director, Prevention through Education (1988)

Do you want to create a better world for animals? At the RSPCA, we believe all animals deserve kindness and respect. We work for the benefit of every animal – as well as pets, that includes farmed animals, wildlife, and animals used in science. Choose a career with us and make a difference for every kind.

The RSPCA are recruiting for an experienced and passionate leader to join our Policy, Prevention and Campaigns team as Assistant Director, Prevention through Education. This pivotal role will play a crucial part in shaping the future of animal welfare in the UK.

• Working hours: 35 hours per week - Monday to Friday. 
• Hybrid role: Hybrid working isn't just a tick box exercise for us, we live the values. For this role, the expected commitment is to travel to London roughly once per month and to Horsham roughly once per month, along with additional travel to regularly visit our education hubs. 

Are you ready to join our movement?

This is a fantastic and rewarding opportunity; the role is extremely varied; your days will be filled with a diverse range of responsibilities and numerous opportunities to collaborate with a range of colleagues from across the society.

You will oversee, inspire, motivate and manage dispersed teams who are all focused on prevention. You will optimize, monitor and evaluate our education delivery across the society and you will define and set out a road map for the delivery of our new Prevention Through Education strategy. 

We will look to you to: 

• Develop and implement a comprehensive three-tier Prevention through Education strategy aligned with the RSPCA's 2030 vision.
• Lead and oversee the charity's Education programs, aiming to reduce animal cruelty and neglect.
• Drive a focus on prevention and embed a three-tier prevention approach across the organization.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, the veterinary profession, and other NGOs.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of professionals.
• Contribute to the overall strategic direction of the RSPCA.

To succeed within this role, it is essential that you have proven experience of working within an organisation that delivers a service (e.g education, health, social services, policing or probation, advice and guidance services etc) and that you have worked collaboratively across that organisation.

Successful applicants will have extensive change management experience and will be able to demonstrate that they have successfully bought people along with them on their change journey. 

We are keen to meet candidates who have worked on designing and implementing new operating models and who have very strong relationship building and stakeholder management skills along with:

• Proven experience in developing and delivering successful change programs.
• Strong leadership, strategic planning, and project management skills.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder management abilities.
• A deep understanding of animal welfare issues and a commitment to animal protection.
• Degree or equivalent relevant qualification.

Successful candidates for certain RSPCA roles will need to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK - We are unable to sponsor visas at RSPCA

The first stage interviews will take place remotely during the week commencing the 24th of February and the second stage interviews will take place in London during the following week. 

The process will involve a task, two panel interviews and the completion of psychometric assessments.

Due to high interest in some of our roles, we review applications as they are received. This can occasionally result in positions closing earlier than advertised. Therefore, we strongly recommend submitting applications early. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept applications after the posted closing date.

We want to ensure we do all we can to give you a positive candidate experience through our recruitment. Whilst we do try to give feedback where we can, sometimes due to receiving high levels of applications, this may not always be possible

We recognise that a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential to achieving our core mission. For this reason we actively encourage a wide diversity of applications - in particular from members of minority ethnic groups, and people with disabilities - as these candidates are currently under-represented at the RSPCA.

Should you need any support with your application or interview process please contact resourcingteam@rspca.org.uk / 0300 123 0685.

Our mission is to ensure animals have a good life by rescuing and caring for those in need, by advocating on behalf of all animals and by inspiring everyone to treat them with compassion and respect