Head of Canine and Membership Engagement in London
Head of Canine and Membership Engagement

Head of Canine and Membership Engagement in London

London Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • 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 in London employer: The Royal Kennel Club

The Royal Kennel Club is an exceptional employer for those passionate about canine activities, offering a vibrant work culture that values trust, participation, and quality. With generous benefits such as increased annual leave, enhanced family leave policies, and discounts on products and services, employees are supported in both their professional and personal lives. The organisation fosters growth through continuous improvement initiatives and provides unique opportunities to engage with the dog community, making it a rewarding place to work for anyone dedicated to enhancing the welfare of dogs.
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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 in London

✨Tip Number 1

Get involved in the dog community! Attend local events, meetups, and shows to network with key players. Building relationships with exhibitors, judges, and volunteers can give you a leg up when applying for roles like Head of Canine and Membership Engagement.

✨Tip Number 2

Show your passion for canine activities! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share your experiences and insights from the grassroots level. This will demonstrate your understanding of the community and your commitment to improving participation and quality.

✨Tip Number 3

Be proactive in seeking feedback! If you’ve been involved in any canine activities, ask for input from peers and mentors. This not only helps you improve but also shows that you value collaboration and continuous improvement—key traits for a leadership role.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Royal Kennel Club and contributing to the dog community. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Canine and Membership Engagement in London

Leadership
Relationship Building
Operational Management
Continuous Improvement
Judges Education
Community Engagement
Strategic Planning
Empathy
Problem-Solving
Communication Skills
Stakeholder Management
Event Organisation
Understanding of Canine Activities
Financial Viability Assessment

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 can bring that experience to the role. Share any relevant experiences that highlight your understanding of the grassroots level.

Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! We love it when candidates tailor their CVs and cover letters to reflect the specific requirements of the Head of Canine Activities and Engagement role. Highlight your leadership skills and operational experience in the dog community.

Show Your Leadership Style: This role is all about visible, credible leadership. Use your application to demonstrate how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past. We want to know how you handle complex issues and ensure high standards across activities.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining the Royal Kennel Club 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 demonstrate that you’re in tune with the needs and concerns of exhibitors, breed clubs, and volunteers.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how it aligns with the Royal Kennel Club's mission. Think of specific examples where you've successfully led teams or projects, particularly in operational settings. Highlight your ability to build trust and foster collaboration among diverse groups.

✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement

Be ready to talk about how you’ve implemented changes or improvements in previous roles. The Royal Kennel Club values performance and quality, so share concrete examples of how you’ve driven operational excellence and enhanced participant engagement in canine activities.

✨Engage with Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions that reflect your interest in the role and the organisation. Ask about their current initiatives for strengthening regional support networks or how they measure success in participation and quality. This shows you’re not just interested in the position, but also in contributing to their goals.

Head of Canine and Membership Engagement in London
The Royal Kennel Club
Location: London

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