Are you a purpose-driven leader with a passion for animal welfare and people?

The Donkey Sanctuary is a global leader in equine welfare, working every day to transform the lives of donkeys and the people who care for them. Our vision is a world where every donkey has a good quality of life. Guided by our values, which include putting donkeys first, showing compassion, staying curious, doing the right thing, and working together as one, we are committed to fostering a positive, safe, and supportive environment for our 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 our 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 our 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.

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

About the role:

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

The Contract:

Based between Sidmouth and Ottery St Mary, in East Devon – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – this is a full-time, permanent contract, working 37.5 hours per week, 08:00 to 16:30, 5 days over 7, including some weekend work as part of the team rota.

What we offer:

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.

Benefits:  

Competitive pension.

Life assurance.

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 –

• Reimbursement of some medical expenses up to the specified limits per membership.
• Offers, discounts and cashback on shopping, travel and entertainment from participating outlets.
• Access to a 24/7 GP and counselling service.

Free parking.

Subsidised restaurant and shop on main site.

Closing date for completed applications:   Sunday 31 August 2025

The Donkey Sanctuary is 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.

Please note: The Guaranteed interview scheme is only applicable to candidates who consider themselves to have a disability applying for roles based within the United Kingdom.

NOTE TO APPLICANTS: We look forward to receiving your application, but we do ask you to complete this in your own words, and not to employ an Artificial Intelligence (AI) writing tool or assistant. Applications that are considered not to be an applicant’s own work may not be shortlisted for interview.