The Role
Leads the Governance and Legal Services function, overseeing governance, compliance, legal, regulatory, and risk frameworks. Advises trustees, senior leadership, and stakeholders across multiple jurisdictions; supports the Board and committees; manages legal counsel; and provides guidance on charity law, corporate governance, employment law, contracts, data protection, regulatory compliance, and organizational change.
Summary Generated by Built In
World Animal Protection is seeking a Director of Governance & Legal Services to lead our Governance and Legal function and provide senior oversight of policies and procedures relating to governance, legal, regulatory and risk matters.
Reporting to the Chief Transformation & Culture Officer, you will provide strategic and expert advice to trustees, the Global Leadership Team, and other senior stakeholders — identifying, managing and mitigating legal risk across multiple jurisdictions, and supporting sound organisational decision-making.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the Governance and Legal Services function, building strong governance, compliance and risk frameworks
- Act as (or oversee) Company Secretary, and support the Board and its Committees
- Advise on charity law, corporate governance, employment law, contracts, data protection, regulatory compliance and organisational change
- Manage external legal counsel when needed
- Work with World Animal Protection affiliates to keep governance arrangements with the UK charity in good shape
What you'll bring
- Senior leadership experience translating complex legal issues into clear, practical advice
- Sound judgement, integrity, and a genuine commitment to ethical governance
- The credibility to build trust and confidence across the organisation
What can we offer you?
- We are offering a competitive salary and benefits including.
- Help saving for your retirement - join our pension scheme and we’ll match contributions up to 6%
- 24 days’ holiday per year when you join, plus an additional day with each year of service up to 5 days
- Opportunity to flex public holidays to an alternate day that better suits an employee and their beliefs.
- Additional 3 days to be taken at the end of the calendar year.
- 2 global Wellbeing midyear closure days
- Flexibility – the opportunity to choose start times that align with both business needs and your work-life balance, ensuring the right fit for both the job holder and the role requirements
- Life Assurance - all World Animal Protection employees receive Life Assurance. Under the Death in Service benefit scheme the employee will receive 3x annual salary to go to their nominated beneficiary.
- Volunteer Leave - 2 days per year to volunteer for a cause of your choice
- A range of 'Inclusivity Benefits': providing various types of leave to support belonging and inclusion at work and to assist our employees during critical moments. This includes leave for Bereavement, Carers, Disability, Menstrual/Menopause, Pregnancy Loss, Fertility Treatment, Gender Affirming Medical needs, Companion Animal Bereavement, and 'Pawternity' leave.
- Long Service Milestones to celebrate 10 year anniversary (and every subsequent 5 years) with bonus day off and employee 'shout out'
- 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and Employee Wellbeing Portal
About
At World Animal Protection, we are a global organisation dedicated to ending the exploitation of animals. For over 75 years, we have been at the forefront of animal welfare, exposing cruel systems, promoting animal-friendly alternatives, and influencing policy change. We aim to create a world where animals live free from cruelty and suffering.
Skills Required
- Senior leadership experience translating complex legal issues into clear, practical advice
- Sound judgment, integrity, and commitment to ethical governance
- Ability to build trust and confidence across the organization
- Experience with charity law, corporate governance, employment law, contracts, data protection, regulatory compliance, and organizational change
- Experience leading governance, compliance, legal, or risk functions
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The Company
What We Do
World Animal Protection is a global organization dedicated to ending animal exploitation and cruelty. They work to create a world where animals live free from suffering by exposing cruel systems, promoting animal-friendly alternatives, and influencing policy change.
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