WORLD ANIMAL PROTECTION

UK OFFICE

Job Description

Job Title:SeniorLegacy Officer

Department:Fundraising

Team:Fundraising & Marketing

Reporting to:Trusts Manager

Line manager to:N/A

Main purpose of role:

Manage all aspects of legacy administration within the UK office in order to maximise income from legacies to contribute towards the achievement of UK fundraising objectives and targets.

Scope of job:

Legacy Administration

  • Administer all legacy cases within the UK to secure legacy income including specific tasks such as:
  • Adhering to the delegated authority from the Board of Trustees
  • Appoint solicitors as appropriate to ensureWorld Animal Protection’s legacy entitlements are protected
  • Dealing with contentious cases, briefing appropriate internal staff members
  • Acting as a Power of Attorney (or requesting a Trustee to) when required
  • Managing the Executorship service
  • Instructing solicitors in cases where we act as Executors
  • Decision-making concerning the sale of and maximising the value of assets (property – foreign and domestic, shares and specific items)
  • Ensuring legal information and knowledge is kept up to date
  • Ensure all life interest estates are reviewed in a timely manner

Fundraising

  • Work with the Development and Legacy Marketing Officer to provide technical legacy advice in support of legacy marketing activities
  • Provide technical information to our supporters as required
  • Maintain relationships with key pledgers

Finance and Reporting

  • Plan, budget and report against legacy income and expenditure
  • Provide financial information as required by the International Finance Team and external auditors
  • Scrutinise and approve Estate Accounts ensuring complete accuracy including IHT calculation, legal fees and CGT

Team Working and Networking

  • Network within the sector and stay abreast of developments within legacy administration
  • Provide support, training and direction for staff or consultants supporting legacy administration.
  • Provide appropriate performance feedback and development opportunities.

Person specification:

  1. Up to date knowledge of the law relating to estates and probate in England, Wales and Scotland
  1. Minimum 3 years relevant legacy/probate experience
  1. Educated to degree level or similar
  1. ILM Certificate in Charity Legacy Administration
  1. Computer literate and experience of using databases including First Class and Raisers’ Edge
  1. An ability to communicate WSPA’s vision and work with animals
  1. Ability to deal positively to deadlines and manage a high case load
  1. Experience of working with external and internal stakeholders on complex legacy issues to build strong relationships
  1. Excellent administration and interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate sympathetically, with a polite and professional manner and show empathy to others
  1. A need to be flexible, methodical, analyticalwith an excellent attention to detail
  1. The ability to prioritise and be an excellent decision maker, taking into account importance as well as urgency
  1. The ability to work as part of a team as well as on your own initiative
  1. Ability to take responsibility for achieving agreed objectives
  1. Evidence of good and appropriate communication skills
  1. Ability to conduct work with patience, optimism and a consistency of approach
  1. Ability to supervise, train and support staff who assist with legacy administration