A defining leadership opportunity at the RSPCA, one of the UK’s most iconic organisations, at a pivotal point in a decade-long transformation programme. 

About the RSPCA

Founded in 1824, the RSPCA is the world’s oldest and largest animal welfare charity, operating across England and Wales with a large network of staff and volunteers. Every year, it’s committed frontline staff and veterinary teams respond to hundreds of thousands of calls, rescuing animals from cruelty, neglect and suffering.

The RSPCA is part way through a long-term, funded digital transformation. Core platforms are live, investment has been agreed, and a strategic roadmap exists. The next phase requires a forward-thinking leader who can mature those foundations into consistent, user-centred delivery.

The role

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and working in close partnership with the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) , the CDO will define and champion the RSPCA’s digital vision, embed product-led ways of working, and turn strategic intent into measurable impact across supporter engagement, digital services and animal welfare operations.

The role leads a team spanning digital experience, product management, QA, development, architecture and external partners, with an operating and capital budget of approximately £5m.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Defining and delivering a multi-year digital vision and strategy
  • Pioneering a product-centric, customer-first operating model with multidisciplinary teams
  • Establishing and scaling an Agile Centre of Excellence
  • Acting as design authority for customer-facing services, setting standards for UX, accessibility and service design
  • Working jointly with the CTO on AI strategy, curating a use-case portfolio and embedding AI-enabled ways of working
  • Reviewing and refining the digital roadmap, and determining the right balance between in-house capability and partner-led delivery

The impact

Through this role, the CDO will enable more intuitive supporter experiences, better-connected services for inspectors and frontline teams, a responsible and practical AI strategy, and consistent progress against the RSPCA’s Strategy 2030 goals.

What we’re looking for

 

Essential:

  • Senior experience leading digital service design and delivery in a complex organisation, ideally within the charity, public sector or a purpose-driven environment
  • Proven ability to influence and partner with C-level executives and boards to shape and deliver digital strategy
  • Extensive experience leading multidisciplinary teams across product, UX/service design, engineering and delivery
  • Strong product management experience, including portfolio prioritisation and roadmap development
  • Experience owning the transformation of core digital platforms, including CRM, websites and service platforms
  • Experience managing significant technology budgets and demonstrating how digital investment drives measurable value

Personal qualities:

  • Solutions focused, creative, resilient and comfortable challenging convention and modernising ways of working
  • Collaborative and inclusive, able to bring a dedicated workforce through significant change
  • Clear communicator of complex digital concepts at board and executive level

Deep alignment with the RSPCA’s purpose and values

Additional details

Salary: £100,000 – £110,000 base (with potential flexibility for the right profile), plus £6,500 car allowance, 11% pension, 25 days’ annual leave plus a society day, health cash plan and six times salary life assurance.

Location: Hybrid office/home working.

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