Legacy Case Officer

Staff work a hybrid schedule with 2 days/week in the office. The Legacy Case Officer is responsible for the professional administration of a substantial portfolio of UK estates in which the charity is a beneficiary. Managing approximately half of the charity’s active UK caseload, you will ensure gifts left in Wills are realised efficiently, compliantly and in line with the charity’s values. This role is central to safeguarding and maximising legacy income and you will exercise sound judgement, manage risk, and build relationships with executors and legal professionals to secure timely and accurate distributions.

About IFAW: International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is a global leader in animal welfare and conservation. We work tirelessly to protect animals and their habitats around the world. We help animals and people thrive together. Legacy gifts play a vital role in sustaining our critical work worldwide. Join us in making a lasting impact for animals and the planet, through careful legacy case management.

Role and Responsibilities

• Portfolio & Case Management: Independently manage a diverse caseload including pecuniary, specific and residuary gifts from notification through to final distribution. Assess Wills, communications and estate accounts to confirm entitlement and identify risks. Proactively progress cases, minimising delays and protecting the charity’s interests. Maintain clear case files, identifying where further information is required. Escalate complex, high-value or contentious matters in line with internal processes.
• Income & Financial Handling: Contribute to reliable income forecasting through active case monitoring and accurate valuations. Support timely and appropriate accruals. Ensure estate accounts are reviewed, approved and distributions recorded in line with internal controls. Identify opportunities to maximise value where appropriate and proportionate.
• Relationship Management: Build and maintain professional relationships with solicitors, executors and co‑beneficiaries, communicating clearly, confidently and with empathy. Represent the charity’s interests with a balance of income protection and reputational awareness, ensuring a smooth experience for all parties. Ensure estate administration complies with UK probate and charity law, applying proportionate challenge where it appears inconsistent with the charity’s entitlement. Maintain accurate, audit ready records and provide recommendations to progress cases requiring management/Trustee input or carrying reputational risk.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Essential Experience and Knowledge: Experience in estate administration, probate casework or legacy management, with working knowledge of UK probate processes and estate documentation. Experience reviewing estate accounts and financial information. Professional qualification or study toward CiCLA, LMAP, STEP, a law degree or equivalent. Experience managing residuary or contentious estates and understanding legacy income recognition in a charity context.
• Core Competencies: Strong interpretation of Wills, legal documents and financial accounts; excellent attention to detail. Skilled in risk assessment, proportionate decision‑making and accurate CRM use. Effective caseload management with clear written communication. Confident engagement with legal professionals and executors, handling sensitive matters empathetically. Proactive, resilient and collaborative when progressing complex estates.

At IFAW, we aim to create and foster a workforce that reflects and contributes to the diverse, global community in which we work to improve the lives of both animals and people. We are dedicated to fostering justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion so we actively encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds.

Hiring range is 33,000-39,000 GBP per year. Closing date for receipt of applications: 31 March 2026.