This opportunity has now been filled

Chair

About the role

We at Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home strive to make sure that every pet has the loving home it deserves. Sometimes caring for dogs and cats in the unconditional way they love us means taking them in. But, sometimes, dog and cat rescue means keeping them exactly where they are. If a pet already has a loving home, we want to keep them there whenever possible. This sometimes means helping owners whose circumstances have changed through our Pet Food Banks or by raising awareness of pet poverty to support lasting change. So rather than take them in and help them find a new home, we want to keep them where they’re already loved. 

We’re a small but dedicated team united by our unconditional love of animals and our dedication towards their care, whatever it takes. We believe there’s goodness inside everyone – four legs or two – and we’re here to help those who need it. 

Simply put, we believe in protecting loving homes, finding loving homes if that’s not possible, and running a loving home. Our goal is to support pets and their people in whatever way is best for them at the time. And to keep loving homes whole. 

Opportunity Context 

It is a very exciting time for us, and despite the many challenges we face, we have significant cause for optimism. 

We are continually evolving and improving the level of care we provide to animals at our home, and are ever increasing the support and guidance we give to owners and carers across East and Central Scotland  through our community outreach and helplines for example. 

Our organisation shares the challenges that all third sector organisations face in terms of income generation but in recent years we have turned around our financial position, moving from close to a £2million deficit to a near neutral budget position, producing a small surplus in the last 3 years. This provides us a solid and more stable platform to continue our aspirational development and operational growth plan. This along with our recent re-branding and establishment of our long-term strategy puts us in a fantastic position to continue the work we do, and impact the lives of so many animals and their owners. 

We have a Board who all bring added value to the organisation, and our incoming Chair will benefit from a committed Group of Trustees and will play a key role in ensuring a collegiate Board remains in place to deliver value, ensure effective Governance and represent the Home in the best possible manner. 

We are seeking to appoint a new Chair to will continue to build on the fantastic work we have undertaken and help move us forward by; 

  • providing strategic leadership to the Board of Trustees and direction where required 
  • ensuring robust governance is in place for the charity to operate effectively and in line with legal parameters 
  • acting as an ambassador for the charity and representing the Home at external functions, meetings & events 
  • helping drive efficiency and effectiveness of the Home through informed decision making with the Board of Trustees 
  • providing support where required to the Chief Executive and wider leadership team through constructive working relationships 

Candidate Requirements 

We are looking for a collaborative, influential and commercially minded leader who will be responsible for managing the alignment and direction of a dedicated Board of Trustees, supporting the organisation in its income growth development plans while providing sound strategic support to the wider leadership team. 

It is not essential the individual has operated in the role of Chair before, although it would be advantageous to have experience in a Non-Executive position. 

The successful candidate will have extensive experience of operating on Executive teams/Boards and being close to commercial decision making with some experience of chairing meetings, events and sub-committees for example. 

The successful individual will be able to represent the Home in all that they do as an enthusiastic and forward-thinking person with a strong can-do approach. Someone who can demonstrate innovative thinking and working collaboratively will suit the wider culture of the Home. 

Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home is proud to be an inclusive employer. We recognise and celebrate the benefits that a diverse and inclusive workforce bring to their business, staff and customers. We welcome and will consider all applications regardless of age, disability, gender, race or nationality, religion, or belief. 

To view our Beyond Our Walls (EDCH Strategy), please click here. 

To view the candidate brochure, please click here. 

For more information and to apply, please send your CV and covering letter to Jamie Brown at applications@fwbparkbrown.com. For an initial confidential discussion, please contact our Edinburgh office on 0131 539 7087.