Chief Operations Officer (COO)

Athens Area Humane Society

Job Description

The COO reports directly to the CEO and is a member of AAHS’s Executive Lead Team. The position collaborates with all AAHS staff, volunteers, partners, and the public. The COO supervises the following positions: Humane Education Coordinator; Lead Veterinarian; Shelter Manager; Transport Manager; and Volunteer Engagement Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Implement long-term strategic initiatives as defined in AAHS’s Strategic Plan with clearly defined objectives, milestones, delivery dates, and accountability.
• Oversee program operations and resources, including budgeting and staff supervision.
• Evaluate the impact of AAHS’s program portfolio by defining success, collecting and analyzing data, developing growth KPIs, and communicate findings to improve performance.
• Develop program KPI dashboards to track program success and data trends.
• Partner with CEO and Staff Accountant to develop annual department budgets. Monitor monthly budget performance and expenditure tracking to enforce accountability and develop action plans to minimize budget-to-actual variance.
• Oversee talent management strategies, ensuring implementation of effective recruitment, development, and retention initiatives.
• Collaborate with direct reports to develop annual goals and objectives, provide ongoing monitoring and guidance, and support the professional development of staff.
• Provide leadership in the development and execution of all organizational policies and procedures. Annually review and assess policies, procedures, and processes in response to changes in industry standards, laws, regulatory requirements, and sector best practices.
• Serve as a public representative of the organization, consistently delivering communications both internally and externally as an industry subject matter expert.
• Prepare data reports and analyses as requested by the CEO or other directors, including providing necessary data for grant reporting.
• Promote employee engagement, ensuring competitive compensation and rewards systems, facilitating open communication channels with executive leadership, and driving initiatives to enhance staff retention.
• Implement a coaching leadership style, delivering clear and timely feedback on an ongoing basis, to ensure direct reports understand job expectations and are supported in their professional growth and success.
• Collaborate with Lead Team members to communicate and implement effective, efficient, operations across all departments.
• Cultivate positive relationships with community partners, donors, and clients.
• Other duties, as requested by the CEO.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, management, finance, or a related field.
• Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) is highly desirable.
• At least 5 years’ professional experience in a management role in an animal welfare organization.
• Expertise in strategic and tactical planning, project management, and data analysis.
• In-depth knowledge of issues, concerns, and obstacles encountered by animal welfare entities.
• Preserves cordial, productive relationships with all staff and board members; maintains confidentiality about privileged administrative and operational information.
• Collaborate effectively and possess exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to establish rapport with diverse groups and individuals from various backgrounds and perspectives.
• Adaptability to manage changing priorities within a highly visible organizational setting.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication abilities.
• Proficiency in computer databases and platforms including Microsoft Suite®, Petpoint®, Clinic HQ®, Jotform®, and SignUp.com® is highly desirable but will train.
• Flexibility in work hours to include some evenings and weekends, if required.
• Highly organized, and detail-oriented self-starter. Ability to adhere to deadlines.

This is a full time job