ILRI is guided by a Board of Trustees comprising 12 outstanding professionals with particular expertise in the fields of livestock science, agricultural research, development, and corporate management. The Board serves as the governing body of the institute primarily through its governance and oversight roles ensuring ILRI functions to the highest standard. 

The Board invites  applications for future Board members with sound international corporate board experience and financial literacy combined with high level experience in such fields as animal research governance, one health, genetics, production and other fields of international livestock research for development. Further information and application process are available here.

ILRI is managed by the Institute Management Committee comprising the directors of the centre.