The Royal Kennel Club is committed to activities that promote the culture of equality of opportunity. We recognise the worth of every individual and appreciate the benefits to be gained from making full use of people's talents to enhance our business performance.

We are committed to ensuring that recruitment, selection, training, development and promotion procedures result in no job applicant or employee receiving less-favourable treatment on the grounds of:

• race
• age
• gender reassignment 
• religion or belief
• disability
• marriage or civil partnership
• sex
• sexual orientation 
• pregnancy or maternity

The Royal Kennel Club's objective is to ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and otherwise treated solely on the basis of their relevant aptitudes, skills and abilities. All employees are responsible for ensuring that our equal opportunities policy is adhered to.

To work for the Royal Kennel Club you need to be passionate about making a difference for dogs. We believe that the unique skills and dedicated work of our staff should be rewarded. Below are some of the benefits we offer our staff:

Salary

We offer salaries that reflect the market we operate in and regularly check ourselves against similar roles in other organisations.

• Employer pension contributions double the percentage of your plan earnings, up to 8%
• Life assurance equivalent to three times your basic salary (two times your basic salary for non-pension scheme members)

Work-life balance

• 23 days annual leave, increasing up to 27 days, in addition to statutory holidays. Staff may also receive additional days for any approved business closure days over the festive period in December
• Option to buy up to five days of annual leave per year
• Flexible working – formal and informal flexible working arrangements. The options available will depend on individual circumstances, and the demands and priorities of the department in which employees are based
• Family leave; including maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental, parental and dependant leave
• Sabbatical leave

Health and wellbeing

• Healthcare cashback programme with a fixed contribution paid for by the Royal Kennel Club
• Free eye tests with a voucher towards the cost of your spectacles
• Employee assistance programme, providing access to independent advisors and counsellors for staff and their immediate families
• Occupational health which we can refer staff if there are any health concerns
• Flu vaccination vouchers
• Discounted gym membership
• Cycle to work scheme

Learning and development

We aim to create an environment where individuals are able to take responsibility for their own learning and development; an environment which recognises learning as an important element of organisational and individual achievement. We aim for continuous improvement in everything that we do.

• Dedicated Senior Learning and Development Officer
• Learning Management System which consists of over 500 courses
• Open Training Programme with a spectrum of both in-house and external courses, comprising both practical skills and personal development opportunities which are supported by access to internal coaching
• Financial support for professional and vocational qualifications, with five days' study leave provided
• Free access to The Royal Kennel Club Library and Art Gallery

Financial Benefits

• Interest-free season ticket loan
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Lifestyle discounts via our EAP and healthcare cashback programme
• Discounts on Royal Kennel Club products and services
• Complimentary staff tickets to Crufts and Discover Dogs

Recognition

• Referral program – we are constantly looking for ways to attract and recruit the best talent possible who share our core values and aspirations
• Values nomination – we encourage colleagues to nominate individuals and teams who they believe have displayed behaviour that demonstrates Royal Kennel Club values
• Long service - to show our appreciation, staff would receive monetary rewards and a thank you card from our Chief Executive for their 10, 20 and 25 years’ service milestone

At the Royal Kennel Club we promote and encourage our oneRKC values.  They are called ‘oneRKC’ because we believe that all employees are integral in embedding our values in the culture of the organisation.

Our oneRKC values are:

Respect

Recognise and appreciate the value that each person contributes and treat each other with dignity.

Growth

Everyone is open to learning and adapting to new challenges and opportunities.

Teamwork

Our collective ambition can only be achieved by supporting, sharing and working together as oneRKC.

Ownership

We accept the responsibility for our decisions, workload, and the way we interact with others.

Excellence

We take pride in our work. We aim high and celebrate excellence in achieving and surpassing our goals.

Future Focused

The world is changing faster than ever before. We must be future focussed to remain relevant, impactful and inclusive.

The purpose of our values is to:

• Create a shared set of behaviours
• Help build a common purpose that we stand for
• Enable more transparency and consistency across the breadth of our work
• Provide guidance – we are more likely to make the right decisions in the right way and achieve our vision and goals
• Deliver a stronger framework for recruitment, progression, feedback – the ‘how’ is as important as the ‘what’

Chief Canine & Membership Engagement Officer

Executive Team appointment

The Royal Kennel Club is appointing a Chief Canine & Membership Engagement Officer.

We are especially interested in candidates with deep experience and connections within the dog community. This role requires lived understanding of the dogdom alongside leadership capability. The successful appointee will work alongside Executive Team colleagues to ensure the dog world remains the living heart of the organisation.

Central to this role is stewarding the relationship between the Royal Kennel Club and the communities that sustain it, ensuring trust, engagement and lasting impact.

It calls for a leader whose authority and credibility in the dog world come from being part of it, built through trust. The successful appointee can advance our impact in this area while respecting its traditions and creating room for innovation.

This senior management role, will strategically shape how the Royal Kennel Club listens, leads and evolves for membership, canine activities and events, ensuring these are valued, well governed and fit for the future.

Role purpose

To lead and inspire across canine activities, events and education programmes, as well as membership engagement, while honouring the Royal Kennel Club’s heritage and traditions. You will ensure cohesive governance, build strong trust with stakeholders, and drive high quality performance across all areas.

Delivery is achieved through senior direct reports.

This is a rare opportunity to join the Executive Team of one of the most respected institutions in the dog world.

We welcome interest from within the dog community: applicants who are visible, trusted, bring the right experience, judgement and commitment to dogs, respect for the Royal Kennel Club ethos and its values.

For confidential enquiries or to apply, please contact lee.martin@royalkennelclub.com. 

Applications close 28 February 2026.

Additional Information:

• Please be advised that we cannot provide sponsorship for this role.
• If you are a member of the Royal Kennel Club and are successful, you will need to relinquish your membership.

Equal Opportunities and Diversity

The Kennel Club welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. All appointment will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process in line with the Equality Act 2010. 

Royal Kennel Club | Head of Canine Activities and Engagement

The Royal Kennel Club is recruiting a Head of Canine Activities and Engagement, a leadership role at the operational heart of all canine activities.

We want to hear from people with deep roots in the dog community who understand canine activities from the grassroots and are motivated to strengthen trust, participation and quality across the sport. 

Reporting to the Chief Canine and Membership Engagement Officer, this role provides senior operational leadership across canine activities, judges education, ensuring delivery, performance and continuous improvement.

You will provide visible, credible leadership, act as the senior point of escalation for complex operational or reputational issues and ensure the dog community’s voice and experience inform organisational decision making.

Primary areas of responsibility:

• Building strong, trusted relationships with exhibitors/participants, breed clubs, show secretaries, judges, volunteers and partners
• Leading operational delivery and continuous improvement of senior operational teams, ensuring high standards, consistency and compliance
• Working with sporting committees to support development, participation and long-term sustainability
• Strengthening regional support networks to increase local engagement and impact
• Balancing participation, quality and financial viability across activities

This is a highly visible, hands-on role for someone with credibility, empathy and practical understanding of how canine activities operate in practice.

We welcome interest from within the dog community who bring the right experience, judgement and commitment to dogs.

For enquiries or to apply, please contact lee.martin@royalkennelclub.com. Applications close 28 February 2026.

Additional Information:

• Please be advised that we cannot provide sponsorship for this role.
• If you are a member of the Royal Kennel Club and are successful, you will need to relinquish your membership.

Equal Opportunities and Diversity

The Kennel Club welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. All appointment will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process in line with the Equality Act 2010

YKC Chairman role specification +

Young Kennel Club Chairman Role Specification
The YKC Management Team meets around twice a year.
The primary purposes of the Management Team are to:
• To review and develop the structure of the YKC.
• To review YKC strategy and policy.
• To look for new and review existing opportunities within the current structure and how they will be integrated and/or developed within the YKC.
• Investigate, discuss, or review any other matters if required to do so by the Board.
Candidates should be able to demonstrate their strengths and weaknesses in the following areas:
Leadership & Governance
• Ability to lead meetings effectively and fairly
• Strategic planning for the YKC’s future
• Accountability and responsibility in a leadership role

Communication & Representation
• Public speaking and confidence in representing the YKC at events
• Advocacy for young members’ interests within the wider Kennel Club
• Listening skills and openness to feedback
Teamwork & Collaboration
• Building strong relationships with committee members and volunteers
• Delegation and empowering others to contribute
• Working with diverse groups (age, background, experience)

Youth Engagement
• Encouraging participation from younger members
• Understanding what motivates young people in dog activities
• Creativity in developing engaging programmes and events
• Inclusivity and ensuring all voices are heard

Candidates are likely to have:
• A good understanding of Safeguarding and be prepared to have an enhanced DBS check and undergo safeguarding training
• Experience of working in a Youth or Educational setting either in a paid or voluntary role
• Recent and relevant experience of working with young people and/or volunteers
• An empathy with children and dogs

Knowledge or experience of the Kennel Club or canine sporting activities would be essential.
Candidates will be required to provide a detailed CV and 2 recent references to help demonstrate the attributes and experiences above.
The role is voluntary, and members can claim reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred when fulfilling their role on the committee.

YKC Chair recruitment  &  selection process +

We are committed to selecting a Chair who demonstrate the necessary skills, experience, and passion to help drive the Young Kennel Club’s mission forward. The following selection process will ensure that we identify the best candidate to join our leadership team.

Stage 1: Application Submission

Timeline:

• Applications will be open for 3 weeks.

• Candidates must submit the below documentation by the closing date.

• Application submissions will be circulated via external  education/volunteer recruitment and canine media

What’s Required:

• CV with relevant experience.

• Cover Letter outlining how the candidate meets the key criteria in the following areas:

  • Leadership & Governance

  • Communication & Representation

  • Teamwork & Collaboration

  • Youth Engagement

  • Safeguarding and Volunteer Experience

• Any relevant supporting documents (e.g., certificates, references).

Stage 2: Initial Screening

Timeline:

• Completed applications will be reviewed within 2 weeks of the closing date.

Process:

• We will assess each application against the criteria listed in the recruitment template. This will include:

  • Skills in leadership, communication, teamwork, and youth engagement.

  • Experience with safeguarding, young people, and volunteer management.

  • Knowledge of the Kennel Club and canine sports

Next Steps:

• Shortlisted candidates will be invited to the next stage.

• Candidates who do not meet the essential criteria will be notified of their unsuccessful application.

Stage 3: Interview

Timeline:

• Interviews will be scheduled within 2 weeks after the initial screening.

Process:

• Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview, which may be held virtually or in person.

• The interview will assess the candidate’s competency in key areas, including:

  • Leadership (e.g., leading meetings, accountability, strategic planning)

  • Communication & Representation (e.g., public speaking, advocating for young members)

  • Teamwork & Collaboration (e.g., delegation, building relationships)

  • Youth Engagement (e.g., encouraging participation, creating inclusive programmes)

  • Safeguarding knowledge (e.g., understanding safeguarding practices, DBS checks).

• Panel:
  The interview panel will consist of Ian Seath, Robert Harlow and Helen Kerfoot who will evaluate the candidate’s responses based on their alignment with the YKC's values and needs.

Interview Format:

A 10 minute presentation based around “What is your vision for the YKC over the next five years, and how would you, as Chair, contribute to realising this vision?

A mix of competency and scenario-based questions.

Next Steps:

• Following interviews, candidates will be assessed and scored based on their performance across the core competencies.

Stage 4: Reference Checks & DBS Screening

Timeline:

• Following successful interviews, reference checks will take place.

Process:

• Candidates will be required to provide at least two professional references.

Next Steps:

• References will be reviewed to ensure the candidate’s suitability for the role.

• Successful completion of the DBS check will be required before proceeding to the final selection stage.

Stage 5: Final Decision & Offer

Timeline:

• An offer will be made after reference checks are received.

• Before an official offer letter is sent, an Enhanced DBS check must be undertaken.

Process:

• Successful candidates will receive a formal offer and details of the next steps.

• Unsuccessful candidates will be notified with feedback on their performance.

Stage 6: Induction & Onboarding

Timeline:

• Induction will take place shortly after the candidate accepts the offer.

Process:

• The successful candidate will be provided with an induction process to familiarise them with the YKC’s structure, culture, and specific Chair responsibilities.

• They will also undergo safeguarding training

Selection Criteria Overview:

To ensure a fair and transparent process, candidates will be assessed on the following:

For further details on the application and selection process, simply register your interest by email: kc.membership@royalkennelcub.com

The closing date for applications is 4  January 2026