Chief Executive Officer - Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

Chief Executive Officer

Contract Type: Permanent, Full Time

Location: Lower Winstone Farm, Wroxall, Isle of Wight

Salary: Competitive

Reporting structure: Reports to Board of Trustees

About Us

The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary is a growing and cherished part of our community, dedicated to providing a safe haven for donkeys and educating the public on their care and welfare. Our vision extends beyond equine welfare to creating an environment where our team, volunteers, and visitors can feel welcomed and enriched.

About the role

The CEO is responsible for both developing the sanctuary’s overall strategy and ensuring its effective implementation. This includes driving revenue growth, developing operational excellence, delivering exceptional visitor experiences, and fostering a high-performance culture across the organisation.

The CEO will oversee the operational functions including finance, HR, marketing, fundraising, visitor services and facilities, ensuring alignment with the sanctuary’s vision and goals.

Role Responsibilities

• Strategic revenue growth – develop strategy with clear, measurable goals to drive sustainable growth. Lead the operational execution of the sanctuary’s overall strategy, ensuring that all departments are aligned with the charity’s long-term goals. Drive profitability and growth in the shop and café operations.
• Develop operational excellence – oversee daily operations including facilities and grounds management to ensure the efficient delivery of all sanctuary operations. Lead safety initiatives and ensure that a highly skilled team is trained in safety protocols, providing a secure environment for staff, volunteers, visitors and the 100+ donkeys and ponies in our care.
• Drive strong financial management – oversee the sanctuary’s financial performance, working with the Finance team to develop and manage budgets, set targets and ensure cost control, budget discipline and accountability across all departments, to keep the sanctuary on track to meet its financial goals maintaining the sanctuary’s long term financial sustainability and stability.
• People resources management – overall responsibility for end-to-end employee life cycle activities including delivering on recruitment and retention strategies. Developing high performance teams in collaboration with HR. Work closely with the Operations Manager and Volunteer Coordinator in the development of the volunteer management strategy, ensuring that recruitment, engagement and retention efforts align with the sanctuary’s operational needs.

Other responsibilities

• Engage the community – work with the Community Engagement Manager to deliver impactful outreach initiatives, ensuring they meet the objectives set out by the grant funding. Set and review targets to foster stronger connections with the local community and align programmes with the sanctuary’s vision and goals.
• Report to the Board – provide regular reports to the Board of Trustees on operational performance, financial results, revenue generation activities and visitor experience.
• Ensure regulatory compliance – ensure that all operations comply with relevant legal and regulatory requirements, including health and safety standards, employment law and charity sector regulations.
• Work closely with the Director of Animal Welfare – to ensure that resources, facilities and operational support are aligned with animal care needs.
• Act as an ambassador for the sanctuary – representing the charity professionally and promoting its mission, vision and values both internally and externally.

About you

• Proven experience in senior leadership
• Strong business acumen with a track record of driving revenue growth and operational success.
• Demonstrated financial management skills, including budgeting, forecasting and performance analysis.
• Experience in developing high-performing teams and creating a positive organisational culture.
• Excellent communication, collaboration and negotiation skills.
• Strong ethical commitment to animal welfare, demonstrated through previous work or personal advocacy.

For you

• Cash plan health scheme
• Employee assistance program
• Tenured holiday allowance
• Staff discounts in our shop and café.
• Charitable discounts
• Additional local discounts
• Opportunities for professional development and growth.
• Free parking

This is an incredible opportunity to work in a totally unique environment amongst over 100 donkeys and ponies. As part of our sanctuary team, you’ll have the rewarding experience of interacting with these wonderful animals, adding an inspiring dimension to your role while directly contributing to their care and well-being.

To apply, please upload your CV and covering letter.

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