Scientific and Policy Manager - Major projects (3519)

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.

We are looking for a new team member as a Scientific and Policy Officer- Major Projects, who you will work closely with the Head of Companion Animals.

• Contract: Permanent 
• Working hours: 35 hours - Monday to Friday.
• Hybrid role: You will work from home and from either our London or our Horsham office.

We think this role is going to be popular and are expecting to attract high interest, so we strongly encourage early applications to avoid missing out. The deadline for applications will be the 1st of November 2026.

As Scientific and Policy Manager – Major Projects, you will play a pivotal role in driving and delivering the Advocacy and Prevention department's pillar of the RSPCA's 2030 Strategy. You will lead high-profile initiatives designed to secure positive change for animals, directly tackling two of the Society's core ambitions: ending the harmful breeding and selling of pets and ending abuse, cruelty, and neglect across England and Wales.

Your primary immediate focus will be leading the RSPCA's flagship strategy to tackle extreme conformation (EC)—one of the most critical and widespread welfare issues affecting millions of companion animals today. 

Following the successful launch of a high profile 5 year, cross-sector strategy, featured across national media, you will take the reins to maintain momentum, drive stakeholder collaboration and convert public awareness into lasting behavioural, policy and legal change.

In addition to companion animals, you will have significant autonomy to shape and expand major project portfolios, including pushing forward our strategic work on equine welfare.

As our Scientific and Policy Officer - Major Projects, we will look to you to: 

• Drive the 5 year extreme conformation strategy forward, while managing the planning and delivery of other emerging major organisational priorities.
• Engage, persuade, influence and collaborate with key stakeholder groups to reduce demand for pets bred with extreme physical traits.
• Provide functional and collaborative leadership across a wide range of internal teams, including Science, Veterinary, Campaigns, Public Affairs, Media, Marketing, Education, Inspectorate and Prosecutions, to embed policy positions consistently across the Society.
• Utilise robust evidence to  change attitudes and behaviour, shape evidence based policy, influence legislation and maintain the RSPCA's standing as an expert authority.
• Align advocacy work with rescue and care operations, reducing the intake of animals with high-cost health conditions into RSPCA centres and alleviating pressure on frontline teams.
• Advise on income generation, communications and media partnerships to ensure ethical representation of companion animals and promote welfare over aesthetics.
• Line manage two direct reports, fostering a high performing environment while leading matrix project teams across the organisation.

We are seeking a senior, credible authority with a unique blend of scientific expertise, strategic acumen, and high-level advocacy skills.

To succeed within this high profile role, the post holder must have proven:

• Animal welfare expertise qualified to degree level plus relevant work based experience.
• Experience of managing and delivering successful theories of change and highly impactful, multi-team strategies with clear outcomes and objectives.
• Expertise in developing compelling positions and policies, shaping agendas and high level influencing to secure change.
• Ability to work well collaboratively and in coalition with others, building relationships with, utilising, negotiating and influencing networks of contacts effectively.
• Experience leading people (direct reports, cross-functional teams and stakeholders) with the confidence to navigate complex organisational structures.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex issues in a compelling and robust manner and to represent the RSPCA effectively across national media, policy fora, and public platforms.

Knowledge of extreme conformation as well as a Background or expertise in equine welfare, policy, or advocacy will be advantageous, to lead expansion in this area.

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 as we are unable to sponsor visas.

This will be a two stage interview process; with the first stage interviews taking place during the week commencing the 23rd of November and the second stage interviews taking place on the 1st and the 2nd of December. 

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

Our vision is a world where all animals are respected and treated with kindness and compassion. Our purpose is to inspire everyone to create a better world for animals. We are building the future of a diverse Society, and our priority is to support animal welfare by finding people from all backgrounds who are committed  to our purpose.  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. Your transferable skills & lived experiences could make you a valuable addition to our RSPCA Family! 

We're here to support you and encourage you to let us know if you need any adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. Please feel free to contact us at resourcingteam@rspca.org.uk or 0300 123 0685 so we can ensure the process works for you.