At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting projects that make a real difference in animal welfare globally.
- Company: Join one of the UK's largest international animal welfare charities.
- Benefits: Enjoy 31 days holiday, life assurance, and wellness perks like Pilates and Yoga.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid working with great career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission-driven team transforming lives for donkeys and mules worldwide.
- Qualifications: Project management qualification and experience in delivering complex projects required.
The predicted salary is between 44886 - 44886 £ per year.
These are exciting times for the charity, and we have an excellent opportunity for a Project Manager with experience of successful delivery in systems implementations to join the busy Business Strategy & Programmes Team.
Location: East Devon/Hybrid (site attendance currently estimated to be one day per week)
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week, 08.30-16.30, Monday-Friday
Salary: £44,886 per annum
Contract: 2-year fixed term contract starting as soon as possible
Closing Date: Monday 7 September 2026
Interview Date: Via Microsoft Teams on Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 September.
About the Role
As Project Manager, you will oversee and lead the planning, communication, implementation and delivery of projects of significant strategic benefit to the charity, involving operational teams and management at all levels. These projects sit within a global Technology Transformation Programme of work reporting to the Senior PM.
Your principal duties and responsibilities will include:
- Taking an active part in designing, adapting and delivering plans necessary to meet the aims and objectives of each project.
- Leading in implementation management and monitoring/evaluation of delivered projects through relevant phases of an end-to-end project lifecycle.
- Managing, escalating and communicating project progress and issues to senior management in relevant project/programme meetings.
- Providing Project Management expertise to Project sponsor(s) and Senior Project Manager to ensure projects are delivered on time, to quality and within agreed budget for achievement of benefits realisation.
- Active management of related risk, issue, decision, action and benefits tracking tools to regularly report on progress and areas of escalation.
- Working closely with the Change Manager and wider project team to ensure stakeholders have sufficient engagement and support opportunities to enable adoption success.
- Actively encouraging the generation of new ideas and opportunities across the organisation, gathering lessons learned, to improve structures, processes and adoption of different ways of working.
About You
You will have:
- Holder of a recognised formal project management qualification (APM/Prince2/PMD Pro or equivalent).
- Proven success in the management and delivery of multiple complex, concurrent projects in a busy environment with varying priorities, budgets and time frames.
- Evidence of delivering successful system implementation projects through a typical project lifecycle, ideally with experience of organisation wide ERP implementations.
- Highly developed written and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrable experience of establishing, building and maintaining successful stakeholder relationships.
- Able to lead and motivate project teams.
- Demonstrable evidence of creating and implementing new processes.
- A good understanding of the principles of good change management associated with large scale system implementations.
Benefits include:
- Life assurance – 2 x annual salary
- 31 days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 with each full year of service.
- Wellbeing team.
- Recorded Pilates and Yoga classes.
- Long service awards.
- Healthshield plan.
- Free parking.
- Subsidised restaurant and shop.
About the Organisation
Join one of the UK’s largest international animal welfare charities, currently supporting projects in over 35 countries worldwide, working for a world where donkeys and mules live free from suffering and their contribution to humanity is fully valued. The Charity is a Disability Confident Employer, committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable people (children and adults) and expects all staff and volunteers to undertake this commitment. Applicants will be subject to safer recruitment processes, including an application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where required for the post.
Project Manager employer: The Donkey Sanctuary
The Donkey Sanctuary is an exceptional employer, offering a fulfilling opportunity for Groundworkers at our Weston farm location. With a strong commitment to animal welfare, we foster a supportive work culture that values teamwork and professional growth, providing employees with training opportunities and the chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of donkeys worldwide. Join us in a role where your skills will contribute to vital projects while enjoying a competitive salary and the satisfaction of working for a charity dedicated to improving animal welfare.