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- Tasks: Lead canine activities and strengthen community engagement across the dog sport.
- Company: Join the Royal Kennel Club, a historic organisation dedicated to dog welfare.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, enhanced family leave, and discounts on products.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the dog community while leading innovative initiatives.
- Qualifications: Deep understanding of canine activities and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and community involvement.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The Royal Kennel Club is recruiting a Head of Canine Activities and Engagement, a leadership role at the operational heart of all canine activities. We want to hear from people with deep roots in the dog community who understand canine activities from the grassroots and are motivated to strengthen trust, participation and quality across the sport.
Reporting to the Chief Canine and Membership Engagement Officer, this role provides senior operational leadership across canine activities, judges education, ensuring delivery, performance and continuous improvement. You will provide visible, credible leadership, act as the senior point of escalation for complex operational or reputational issues and ensure the dog community’s voice and experience inform organisational decision making.
Primary areas of responsibility:- Building strong trusted relationships with exhibitors/participants, breed clubs, show secretaries, judges, volunteers and partners
- Leading operational delivery and continuous improvement of senior operational teams, ensuring high standards, consistency and compliance
- Working with sporting committees to support development, participation and long-term sustainability
- Strengthening regional support networks to increase local engagement and impact
- Balancing participation, quality and financial viability across activities
This is a highly visible, hands-on role for someone with credibility, empathy and practical understanding of how canine activities operate in practice. We welcome interest from within the dog community who bring the right experience, judgement and commitment to dogs.
Additional Information: Please be advised that we cannot provide sponsorship for this role. If you are a member of the Royal Kennel Club and are successful, you will need to relinquish your membership.
Equal Opportunities and Diversity: The Kennel Club welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process in line with the Equality Act 2010.
About the Royal Kennel Club: Formed in 1873, The Kennel Club exists to make a positive difference for dogs and their owners. Our key areas of activity include:
- Helping potential dog owners find the right dog for them, and work with the dog breeding community to ensure those dogs are healthy and happy.
- Supporting dog owners to access high quality training and pet insurance and provide a range of advice and support to help ensure the ongoing wellbeing of dogs.
- Working with breeders, judges, competitors and exhibitors to organise world-class events and to develop the resources they need to thrive.
The primary objective of the Royal Kennel Club is to improve in every way the welfare, health, and general wellbeing of all dogs throughout their lives, by means of various research and educational programmes, and our Charitable Trust. The Kennel Club is an organisation committed to promoting and protecting dogs’ varied roles in society and defending the interests of all dog owners.
Benefits: 25 days annual leave, which will increase by one day for every full year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days). Employees contribute a minimum of 3%, while we contribute double the percentage, up to a maximum of 8%. Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay. Discounts on The Kennel Club products and services. Discounted gym membership. Free eye tests. Complimentary staff tickets to Crufts.
Head of Canine and Membership Engagement employer: The Royal Kennel Club
Contact Detail:
The Royal Kennel Club Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Canine and Membership Engagement
✨Tip Number 1
Get involved in the dog community! Attend local events, shows, and meet-ups to network with exhibitors, judges, and volunteers. Building these relationships can give you insider knowledge and make you a familiar face when applying for roles like Head of Canine Activities.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for canine activities during interviews. Share your experiences and insights from grassroots involvement. This will demonstrate your commitment and understanding of the community, which is crucial for a leadership role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss operational challenges and solutions. Think about how you would handle complex issues within the dog community and be ready to share your ideas on improving participation and quality across activities.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our mission at the Royal Kennel Club.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Canine and Membership Engagement
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know Your Canine Stuff: Make sure to showcase your deep roots in the dog community. We want to see your passion for canine activities and how you’ve been involved at the grassroots level. Share specific examples that highlight your understanding of the sport!
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! We’re looking for someone who understands our mission and values. Make sure to align your experience with the responsibilities mentioned in the job description, especially around building relationships and operational leadership.
Show Your Leadership Skills: This role is all about visible and credible leadership. Use your application to demonstrate how you've led teams or projects in the past. We want to hear about your approach to continuous improvement and how you’ve tackled complex issues in the dog community.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Don’t miss out on the chance to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Royal Kennel Club
✨Know Your Canine Community
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the dog community and its activities. Research recent events, trends, and challenges within the canine world. This will not only show your passion but also help you engage in meaningful conversations during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, especially in operational roles. Think about times when you've successfully led teams or projects, particularly in the context of canine activities. Be ready to discuss how you can apply these skills to enhance engagement and trust within the community.
✨Emphasise Relationship Building
Since this role involves building strong relationships with various stakeholders, come prepared with strategies on how you would foster these connections. Share past experiences where you've successfully engaged with exhibitors, judges, or volunteers, and how you plan to strengthen those ties moving forward.
✨Demonstrate Your Commitment to Improvement
The Royal Kennel Club values continuous improvement, so be ready to discuss how you would approach operational delivery and quality assurance. Think of specific initiatives or changes you've implemented in previous roles that led to measurable improvements, and be prepared to share those insights.
