About the Role
<p><b>Head of Prosecutions</b></p>
<p>Salary: £62,971 to £83,961</p>
<p>Location Type: Hybrid worker</p>
<p>Location: South East/London Hub</p>
<p>Vacancy Type: Fixed-Term</p>
<p>Hours Per Week: 35</p>
<p>Closing Date: 26 April 2026</p>
<p><b>A bit about us</b></p>
<p>Do you want to create a better world for animals? At the RSPCA, we believe all animals deserve kindness and respect. We work for the benefit of every animal – as well as pets, that includes farmed animals, wildlife, and animals used in science. Choose a career with us and make a difference for every kind.</p>
<p>We are looking for a new Head of Prosecutions working closely with the Chief Legal Counsel.</p>
<ul>
<li>Contract: 2-year fixed term contract with potential to become permanent. </li>
<li>Working hours: 35 hours – Monday to Friday. </li>
<li>Hybrid role: You will work from home and occasionally from the London and Horsham offices. </li>
</ul>
<p>We are seeking a <b>Head of Prosecutions</b> who is more than just a Lawyer. We need a resilient leader, a strategic navigator and a steadfast advocate who can guide a team of highly experienced professionals through transition while upholding the highest standards in order to bring those who commit animal welfare crimes to justice.</p>
<p><b>We think this role is going to be popular and are expecting to attract high interest so we strongly encourage early applications to avoid missing out – closing date is the 26th of April.</b></p>
<p><b>What a day might look like for you</b></p>
<p>As the Society's subject matter expert on Prosecutions, you will hold accountability for the tactical direction and resolution of our most complex challenges – you won't just lead a department, you will protect the RSPCA's reputation, influence government legislation, and working with others, ensure that our decisions to prosecute are robust, ethical, and transparent.</p>
<p><b>Key responsibilities include:</b></p>
<ul>
<li><b>Expert Counsel:</b> You will provide articulate, confident advice to the Board, Trustees, and the Chief Legal Counsel on criminal law, evidence, and procedure.</li>
<li><b>High-Stakes Management:</b> You will oversee contentious or high-profile cases that attract significant media scrutiny and public interest.</li>
<li><b>Leading Through Change:</b> You will act as the primary representative for the Prosecutions team and will ensure stability and clarity during organisational shifts.</li>
<li><b>Operational Excellence:</b> As Head of Prosecutions, you will manage departmental budgets, maximising court cost recovery and ensuring quality assurance across all case conduct.</li>
<li><b>Cross departmental working:</b> You will represent your area of the business, whilst collaborating with other departments and working towards the bigger picture.</li>
</ul>
<p>We believe in transparency; this is a demanding role that operates on the front line of animal welfare, so it will be challenging and at times you will be faced with very difficult situations and decisions.</p>
<p>You will frequently encounter graphic evidence of extreme animal cruelty. Repeated exposure is a reality of the role and personal resilience is essential.</p>
<p>The department is often the subject of intense media criticism, and you must be able to remain calm, measured and strategic under sustained external pressure.</p>
<p>As Head of Prosecutions, you will manage a team facing hostile communications from aggrieved defendants and must lead with empathy while maintaining professional boundaries.</p>
<p><b>What will help you succeed in this role</b></p>
<p>To succeed within this role, you must be a <b>Qualified Lawyer</b> with extensive post-qualification experience in criminal law. You are a seasoned practitioner who understands the Code for Crown Prosecutors and has a proven track record in Magistrates' and Youth Court procedures.</p>
<p><b>Beyond your legal credentials, you are:</b></p>
<ul>
<li>Able to make quick, effective judgments in high-pressure environments.</li>
<li>Able to see the "big picture" and can align legal outcomes with the broader mission of the Society.</li>
<li>Able to lead through change, as we modernise our processes and technology.</li>
<li>Capable of persuading and influencing at the highest levels of government, the police, and the CPS.</li>
</ul>
<p>It is also essential that you have the emotional intelligence to lead a team through distressing casework and organisational change.</p>
<p>If this sounds like the ideal next step for you, we would love to receive your application!</p>
<p>Click apply now and you will be redirected to our careers site to complete your application.</p>
<p><b>Successful candidates for certain RSPCA roles will need to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.</b></p>
<p><b>Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK – we are unable to sponsor visas at RSPCA.</b></p>