Cats Protection are the UK’s largest cat welfare charity, and we’re seeking an ambitious, knowledgeable and compassionate individual to lead our successful legacy and in memory fundraising programme
Will you join us and make life better for cats?
Responsibilities of our Head of Legacy Giving:
Our Head of Legacy Giving is responsible for Cats Protection’s largest charitable income stream, leading our Legacy Marketing, Legacy Administration and In Memory teams as we seek to delivery exemplary fundraising programmes raising upwards of £50m a year – around half of the cats we help are cared for thanks to this work.
With ambitions to continue growing the income we receive from Legacy and In Memory giving, our Head of Legacy Giving is responsible for shaping the long-term strategy to deliver this growth and overseeing the implementation of activity across the organisation that maximises the scale and value of current and future support.
Underpinning this transformation is a responsibility for the role to lead our medium and long-term legacy modelling, inspire and develop our high performing teams, and collaborate with an array of internal stakeholders and key external partners.
The role is also a member of our Marketing and Income Generation (MIG) directorate leadership team, as part of a unified leadership group that has shared accountability and strategic responsibility for the organisation’s collective income generation performance.
About the Legacy and In Memory department:
The department sits within our Individual Giving and Legacies business area of the Marketing & Income Generation Directorate
There are four broad areas of expertise and delivery within the department – legacy marketing, legacy administration, in memory fundraising, and local legacy and in memory giving – with 16 individuals making up the teams.
The teams are responsible for fundraising programmes that cover traditional legacy giving, Free Wills, our Cat Guardians service and In Memory giving for both people and cats.
What we’re looking for in our Head of Legacy Giving:
Proven experience in a senior charitable legacy fundraising and direct marketing role
Experience of leading and managing multiple teams working together to deliver ambitious targets, overcome challenges and achieve measurable impact in a remote working environment
Proven track record of strategic development, planning and implementation
Experience of commissioning and managing external agencies and consultants
Experience of managing significant income and expenditure budgets
Experience of providing impactful management information and reports to internal stakeholders on legacy income and key KPIs
Knowledge of Chartered Institute of Fundraising codes of practice, sector regulation and compliance, and data protection legislation
What we can offer you:
Range of health benefits
26 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with length of service
Salary Finance, which empowers you to take control of your financial wellbeing
Virtual interview date: Week commencing 8th December 2025
Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment.
If successful, your recruitment journey will include:
1. Anonymised application form
2. Virtual interview via Microsoft Teams
Please email recruitment@cats.org.uk if you require any adjustments to be made for you to complete your application or to participate in the recruitment journey.
We operate a bias-free application process in our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. To assess your application quickly, fairly and objectively, please fully complete the qualifications and work history sections of our online application form.
Redacted CVs may be accepted by exception.
We believe being an inclusive, diverse organisation - where we welcome diversity of thought, value individuals' experience and can reach and partner all areas of society - is crucial if we're to help more cats. Our ambition is to work together to promote a more inclusive environment, which attracts all candidates and signals our commitment to celebrate and promote diversity.
There’s a place for everyone at Cats Protection and we encourage applications from talented people across all communities.
Cats Protection is committed to safeguarding children and adults at risk and protecting anyone that comes into contact with us from harm. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. You may be subject to a criminal record check if required for the role.
