Join a Charity Making a Real Difference
The Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF) is an independent specialist charity with a nationwide reach, working in the Sport of Horseracing. We are seeking a forward‑thinking Director of Welfare Operations to be a part of our senior leadership team to deliver our newly agreed strategic objectives
This role will lead our welfare services and help to ensure that we continue to provide exceptional support to jockeys—past and present—through injury, recovery, and times of hardship.
This is a unique and influential senior leadership role at the heart of British racing's welfare and rehabilitation support network.
About the Role
As Director of Welfare Operations, you will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight across all IJF welfare services, including our rehabilitation centres, outreach programmes and support schemes.
You will ensure that our services are responsive, safe, innovative, and aligned to our mission of delivering world‑class care to the jockey community. This role will hold accountability for the quality, integrity and effectiveness of our welfare services. You will support and lead a small and committed team, helping to drive impactful change and development in this vital area of our service. You will also act as the organisation's senior safeguarding lead and play a key role as part of the senior leadership team.
This is a position for someone who combines strategic vision with systematic, hands‑on operational expertise, and who is driven by a genuine passion for supporting people through life‑changing challenges, and to tenaciously review procedure and practice to continually add value to the service we provide.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead the strategic development of IJF welfare services to meet the evolving needs of injured and retired jockeys. This will include performance and impact management and reporting.
* Oversee day-to-day delivery of welfare operations across multiple sites, ensuring excellence, consistency and value for money. This will involve innovation of service and digital transformation.
* Act as the senior safeguarding and welfare lead, ensuring robust processes, training, and compliance.
* Manage risk effectively and uphold best practice in health, welfare, and charity governance.
* Inspire, develop, and support multidisciplinary teams within a culture of compassion and professionalism.
* Build strong relationships across the racing industry, medical community, and partner organisations.
* Manage welfare budgets responsibly and contribute to financial planning and organisational strategy.
About You
Essential
* As a minimum, must hold an RQF Qualification Level 6 (Degree) in business management and/or a relevant welfare field.
* Significant senior leadership experience (5+ years) in welfare, health, social care, charity, or a related field.
* Proven success in managing complex services and multidisciplinary teams.
* Exhibit the competence to operate with agility, exercising sound judgement when prioritising tasks to maximise value and fulfil service requirements.
* Strong safeguarding and compliance expertise.
* Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
* A values driven approach with empathy, integrity, and commitment to the IJF mission.
Desirable
* Knowledge of the horse racing industry or professional sport and its participants.
We take pride in our team, and are committed to furthering our progress regarding equality, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome people from all backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, and experiences and do not discriminate on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability, or age.
All appointments will be subject to full DBS, UK right to work, and reference checks. The post holder will be required to hold a clean driver's licence.
Location:
This role will be based at either Peter O'Sullevan House, Newmarket or Oaksey House, Lambourn (two of our three Rehabilitation Centres), however extensive travelling nationwide will be required.
Working Pattern:
Two out of Five days hybrid working would be considered.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £68,000.00-£72,000.00 per year
Benefits:
* Company pension
* Life insurance
* On-site parking
* Private medical insurance
Education:
* Bachelor's (required)
Experience:
* Senior Leadership : 5 years (preferred)
Willingness to travel:
* 75% (required)
Work Location: In person