The Donkey Sanctuary
Farm Manager Are you a purpose-driven leader with a passion for animal welfare and people? Join a global leader in equine welfare, working every day to transform the lives of donkeys and the people who care for them. This is a rare opportunity to step into a leadership role where your work will have a daily impact on the lives of animals and people alike. You will be part of a supportive and passionate team, committed to excellence, learning and continuous improvement. Position: Farm Manager Location: Bowd Hours: Full-time Salary: £42,665 - £47,406 depending upon qualifications, skills and experience Contract: Permanent Closing Date: Sunday 31 August 2025. However, we reserve the right to close this role early if a suitable candidate is found. About the Role The organisations vision is a world where every donkey has a good quality of life. Guided by it s values, which include putting donkeys first, showing compassion, staying curious, doing the right thing, and working together as one, the team are committed to fostering a positive, safe, and supportive environment for donkeys and the people who care for them. We are now seeking an inspiring and capable Farm Manager to lead the team at one of the sanctuary farms. Located in the beautiful East Devon countryside between Sidmouth and Ottery St Mary, and just a short distance from the Jurassic Coast, Woods Farm is a 220-acre site, home to over 440 donkeys, and plays a vital role in the UK sanctuary network. This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated and values-led leader to make a real difference by driving high standards in donkey care, building team performance, and nurturing a positive and inclusive culture. As Farm Manager, you will be responsible for the day-to-day leadership and operation of the farm. You will: Lead a committed team to deliver the highest standards of donkey welfare, land management and operational excellence Champion a culture of trust, wellbeing, learning and shared accountability across the team Inspire and develop people, ensuring each team member has the opportunity to grow, learn and contribute to shared goals Manage farm resources effectively, including staffing levels, budget, Land, facilities and equipment Ensure robust compliance with Health & Safety standards, maintaining a safe environment for animals, staff, volunteers and visitors Play an active role in wider organisational goals through collaboration, innovation and contribution to research projects Represent the charity professionally, ensuring a welcoming and informative experience for all visitors About You You will bring a strong blend of practical farm knowledge and people-centred leadership. You will have: A relevant qualification or substantial experience in animal care, equine or agricultural management Knowledge and understanding of land management and the operation of farm vehicles and machinery Proven leadership and people management experience, with the ability to inspire and sustain high performance Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a calm and professional approach Strong planning and organisational abilities, with a proactive and solutions-focused mindset A values-driven leadership style that reflects compassion, curiosity, integrity and collaboration The ability to handle sensitive or complex situations with tact and discretion As part of the process, you will be asked to upload your CV and Cover Letter once you click to apply. Benefits include Competitive pension. Life assurance 2 x annual salary. Healthshield. 31 days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 will each full year of service. Wellbeing team. Recorded Pilates and Yoga classes. Long service awards. Healthshield plan Free parking. Subsidised restaurant and shop. About the Organisation The sanctuary is one of the UK s largest international animal welfare charities, currently supporting projects in over 35 countries worldwide, working for a world where donkeys and mules live free from suffering and their contribution to humanity is fully valued. The Charity is a Disability Confident Employer, committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable people (children and adults) and expects all staff and volunteers to undertake this commitment. Applicants will be subject to safer recruitment processes, including an application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where required for the post. You may also have experience in areas such as Farmer, Farm Manager, Farm Supervisor, Farm Deputy Manager, Tourism, Farm Attraction, Head Farmer. PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation
Farm Manager Are you a purpose-driven leader with a passion for animal welfare and people? Join a global leader in equine welfare, working every day to transform the lives of donkeys and the people who care for them. This is a rare opportunity to step into a leadership role where your work will have a daily impact on the lives of animals and people alike. You will be part of a supportive and passionate team, committed to excellence, learning and continuous improvement. Position: Farm Manager Location: Bowd Hours: Full-time Salary: £42,665 - £47,406 depending upon qualifications, skills and experience Contract: Permanent Closing Date: Sunday 31 August 2025. However, we reserve the right to close this role early if a suitable candidate is found. About the Role The organisations vision is a world where every donkey has a good quality of life. Guided by it s values, which include putting donkeys first, showing compassion, staying curious, doing the right thing, and working together as one, the team are committed to fostering a positive, safe, and supportive environment for donkeys and the people who care for them. We are now seeking an inspiring and capable Farm Manager to lead the team at one of the sanctuary farms. Located in the beautiful East Devon countryside between Sidmouth and Ottery St Mary, and just a short distance from the Jurassic Coast, Woods Farm is a 220-acre site, home to over 440 donkeys, and plays a vital role in the UK sanctuary network. This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated and values-led leader to make a real difference by driving high standards in donkey care, building team performance, and nurturing a positive and inclusive culture. As Farm Manager, you will be responsible for the day-to-day leadership and operation of the farm. You will: Lead a committed team to deliver the highest standards of donkey welfare, land management and operational excellence Champion a culture of trust, wellbeing, learning and shared accountability across the team Inspire and develop people, ensuring each team member has the opportunity to grow, learn and contribute to shared goals Manage farm resources effectively, including staffing levels, budget, Land, facilities and equipment Ensure robust compliance with Health & Safety standards, maintaining a safe environment for animals, staff, volunteers and visitors Play an active role in wider organisational goals through collaboration, innovation and contribution to research projects Represent the charity professionally, ensuring a welcoming and informative experience for all visitors About You You will bring a strong blend of practical farm knowledge and people-centred leadership. You will have: A relevant qualification or substantial experience in animal care, equine or agricultural management Knowledge and understanding of land management and the operation of farm vehicles and machinery Proven leadership and people management experience, with the ability to inspire and sustain high performance Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a calm and professional approach Strong planning and organisational abilities, with a proactive and solutions-focused mindset A values-driven leadership style that reflects compassion, curiosity, integrity and collaboration The ability to handle sensitive or complex situations with tact and discretion As part of the process, you will be asked to upload your CV and Cover Letter once you click to apply. Benefits include Competitive pension. Life assurance 2 x annual salary. Healthshield. 31 days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 will each full year of service. Wellbeing team. Recorded Pilates and Yoga classes. Long service awards. Healthshield plan Free parking. Subsidised restaurant and shop. About the Organisation The sanctuary is one of the UK s largest international animal welfare charities, currently supporting projects in over 35 countries worldwide, working for a world where donkeys and mules live free from suffering and their contribution to humanity is fully valued. The Charity is a Disability Confident Employer, committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable people (children and adults) and expects all staff and volunteers to undertake this commitment. Applicants will be subject to safer recruitment processes, including an application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where required for the post. You may also have experience in areas such as Farmer, Farm Manager, Farm Supervisor, Farm Deputy Manager, Tourism, Farm Attraction, Head Farmer. PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation
The Donkey Sanctuary
Sidmouth, Devon
The Donkey Sanctuary works across the globe to help achieve our vision of a world where every donkey has a good quality of life. Since its foundation in 1969 by Dr Elisabeth Svendsen, The Donkey Sanctuary has grown from a charity rescuing UK donkeys from neglect and abuse to an impactful international animal welfare organisation transforming the lives of millions of donkeys and mules and the people who depend on them. As we near the halfway point of our current five-year strategy () , we are hoping to appoint up to four new Trustees to contribute to the overall governance and strategic direction of The Donkey Sanctuary. One of our main drivers is to increase the diversity of our board. We want to hear from you if you think you can offer the leadership, passion, drive and skills we are looking for. We are searching for candidates with the following skills or experience: Essential: Board member or Executive level leadership experience Desirable - one or more of the following: Audit and Risk/Finance (UK knowledge required) Charity Fundraising/Marketing/Philanthropy Animal health, welfare & behaviour (equine focus) Business transformation/change management We estimate that there are more than 60 million donkeys and mules in the world. At The Donkey Sanctuary we tailor our approaches to meet donkeys' unique challenges in different regions. The new Trustees will join at a crucial time for the organisation; not only do we continue to maintain our UK and Europe network of farms, sanctuaries and holding bases but our international operations and partnerships are also growing. For example, after extensive lobbying, the brutal donkey skin trade was banned by the African Union last year, but there is still a great deal of work to embed and extend this ban to other continents. Trustees will help the Board, CEO and Executive Team to monitor the continued success of the strategy and act as a guardian of the charity. Trustees will help monitor organisational performance in terms of reputation, people, donkey welfare, income and organisational effectiveness. The Trustees will be joining a collaborative, motivated and open-minded Board. The Board are committed to the Donkey Sanctuary's mission to improve the lives of millions of donkeys worldwide and to be the leaders in a global plan for donkey welfare. The new Trustees will bring thoughtful, mature and collaborative contribution to board meetings, and be both principled and innovative. They will have truly international mindsets as well as a strong strategic focus. The role of Trustee is likely to require a time commitment of an estimated 12-16 days per year. How to Apply To apply, please visit our website via the button below. The closing date for all applications, which should be in the form of a CV and cover letter and addressed by an email is 25 March 2025. Interviews dates are likely to be held on 1st May and 7th May 2025. We are committed to an inclusive culture where all forms of diversity are seen as real value for the Donkey Sanctuary and our work with Donkeys. The Donkey Sanctuary is fully committed to the elimination of unlawful and unfair discrimination by promoting and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace that celebrates and values the differences that diverse backgrounds, thinking, skills and experience brings.
The Donkey Sanctuary works across the globe to help achieve our vision of a world where every donkey has a good quality of life. Since its foundation in 1969 by Dr Elisabeth Svendsen, The Donkey Sanctuary has grown from a charity rescuing UK donkeys from neglect and abuse to an impactful international animal welfare organisation transforming the lives of millions of donkeys and mules and the people who depend on them. As we near the halfway point of our current five-year strategy () , we are hoping to appoint up to four new Trustees to contribute to the overall governance and strategic direction of The Donkey Sanctuary. One of our main drivers is to increase the diversity of our board. We want to hear from you if you think you can offer the leadership, passion, drive and skills we are looking for. We are searching for candidates with the following skills or experience: Essential: Board member or Executive level leadership experience Desirable - one or more of the following: Audit and Risk/Finance (UK knowledge required) Charity Fundraising/Marketing/Philanthropy Animal health, welfare & behaviour (equine focus) Business transformation/change management We estimate that there are more than 60 million donkeys and mules in the world. At The Donkey Sanctuary we tailor our approaches to meet donkeys' unique challenges in different regions. The new Trustees will join at a crucial time for the organisation; not only do we continue to maintain our UK and Europe network of farms, sanctuaries and holding bases but our international operations and partnerships are also growing. For example, after extensive lobbying, the brutal donkey skin trade was banned by the African Union last year, but there is still a great deal of work to embed and extend this ban to other continents. Trustees will help the Board, CEO and Executive Team to monitor the continued success of the strategy and act as a guardian of the charity. Trustees will help monitor organisational performance in terms of reputation, people, donkey welfare, income and organisational effectiveness. The Trustees will be joining a collaborative, motivated and open-minded Board. The Board are committed to the Donkey Sanctuary's mission to improve the lives of millions of donkeys worldwide and to be the leaders in a global plan for donkey welfare. The new Trustees will bring thoughtful, mature and collaborative contribution to board meetings, and be both principled and innovative. They will have truly international mindsets as well as a strong strategic focus. The role of Trustee is likely to require a time commitment of an estimated 12-16 days per year. How to Apply To apply, please visit our website via the button below. The closing date for all applications, which should be in the form of a CV and cover letter and addressed by an email is 25 March 2025. Interviews dates are likely to be held on 1st May and 7th May 2025. We are committed to an inclusive culture where all forms of diversity are seen as real value for the Donkey Sanctuary and our work with Donkeys. The Donkey Sanctuary is fully committed to the elimination of unlawful and unfair discrimination by promoting and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace that celebrates and values the differences that diverse backgrounds, thinking, skills and experience brings.
