Governance and Legal Services Director

Governance and Legal Services Director

Application Deadline: 6 October 2026

Department: People Transformation and Culture

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: International - UK

Reporting To: Chief Transformation & Culture Officer

Compensation: GBP 73,251 - GBP 79,530 / year

Description

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 Affir… 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