Lead technology transformation at one of the world’s most beloved animal charities 

For 165 years, Battersea Dogs & Cats has one aim: to never turn a dog or cat away. Today, they help around 5,000 animals annually across three centres and tens of thousands of dogs and cats beyond their gates in the UK and overseas, but their ambitions are far greater.

They’re seeking their first Chief Information Officer to join the executive team and establish a new technology directorate that will enable their ambitious five-year growth strategy. 

The opportunity

As the CIO, you’ll develop and implement technology strategy that directly supports Battersea’s mission to create a world where dogs and cats are treated with care, compassion and respect. 

You’ll be responsible for:

  • Establishing and leading a new technology directorate 
  • Developing technology strategy aligned with organisational goals 
  • Optimising their Salesforce enterprise solution and introducing new capabilities 
  • Building data capabilities that drive insight and decision-making across the charity 
  • Leading AI adoption and integration to address business challenges and opportunities 
  • Chairing the technical design authority to provide effective technology governance 
  • Working with the executive team to drive strategic development and delivery 

The impact

This isn’t just systems and infrastructure – your work will directly enable: 

Life-saving services: Veterinary care and rehoming operations that help 5,000 animals annually 

Global influence: Technology that supports their Academy’s worldwide training programmes and grant-making work 

Prevention programmes: New initiatives to prevent animal welfare issues before they occur 

Strategic partnerships: Digital capabilities that facilitate collaboration with other organisations 

Policy change: Systems that support their influence on government legislation and animal welfare standards 

What we’re looking for

Essential experience:

  • Proven success in senior IT leadership, likely as a CIO 
  • Experience in multi-site consumer centric organisations of similar scale and complexity 
  • Deep understanding of corporate SaaS applications, including finance, CRM and BI/reporting tools 
  • Track record of leading diverse, high-performing teams 
  • Strategic technology planning and implementation experience 

Technical expertise:

  • Experience with Salesforce CRM and NetSuite highly desirable 
  • Understanding of infrastructure, cloud and data platforms 
  • Knowledge of data management, analytics and cybersecurity 
  • Experience of delivering successful technology projects with strong change management 

Personal qualities:

  • Genuine connection and commitment to Battersea’s mission 
  • Inspirational, inclusive and values-led leadership approach 
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills 
  • Ability to communicate complex technology concepts with clarity 
  • Commitment to continuous learning and development 

Why this role matters

Battersea’s new strategy focuses on preventing animal welfare issues, supporting communities, and providing expert care for dogs and cats that need rescue. Technology is the critical enabler for all of this ambitious work. 

Your strategic approach and deep market knowledge will help: 

  • Expand their life-saving work beyond their three centres 
  • Enable new preventative programmes that address welfare issues at source 
  • Support strategic alliances that drive collective impact 
  • Facilitate global knowledge sharing through digital platforms 
  • Enhance operational efficiency to help even more animals 

Working at Battersea

Location: Based at Battersea (London) with occasional travel to Old Windsor and Brands Hatch centres 

Working pattern: Hybrid model with expectation to spend at least 50% of time on-site providing visible leadership 

Culture: Join an organisation that takes pride in being welcoming, open and inclusive for dogs, cats and people 

Values: Care, expertise, determination, respect, inclusion and collaboration guide everything they do 

Team: Work alongside passionate professionals who share a commitment to animal welfare 

Ready to make technology matter?

If you’re an experienced technology leader ready to use your expertise for genuine social impact, where every system improvement helps vulnerable animals find loving homes, this could be your most rewarding career move yet.

Applications are now closed