Shelter Operations Director

Halifax Humane Society

Job Description

Position Summary:
The Animal Shelter Operations Director is the key leader responsible for the daily functions, efficient operation, and growth of lifesaving programs at Halifax Humane Society, including pet adoptions, overseeing the provision of care for sheltered animals in all program locations, retail store management, and training for all new hires in all animal care roles. Directors act with urgency, leading teams to accomplish necessary tasks and play a direct role in achieving Halifax Humane Society’s lifesaving mission and organizational success. Directors may receive intensive assignments in a particular program based on organizational needs.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Treat the people around you as your most valuable resource by leading with Kindness and Compassion in all your actions. Build trust by demonstrating authenticity and following through on your commitments. Work to build strong relationships with your team by creating communication loops to share and receive honest feedback. You are responsible and accountable for your team's culture.
Lead teams, programs, and/or facilities and promote lifesaving and care objectives throughout the department; oversee, coordinate, and conduct day-to-day lifesaving program activities, including animal care, the Minimum Mental Health Requirement as established by Open Paw, outcomes, retail operations, superior customer service, and other activities.
Work in concert daily with the Director of Open Paw & Behavior and the Director of Veterinary Operations to contribute to strategies for operational efficiency and increased lifesaving by managing animal flow, intakes, foster and rescue organization placement, and humane euthanasia outcomes when necessary.
Provide support, training, mentoring, and performance feedback; conduct performance conversations; participate in recruitment and hiring; ensure teams meet expectations for Halifax Humane Society program requirements and procedures; lead teams so that each person achieves their fullest potential as contributors to Halifax Humane Society mission and goals.
Work collaboratively with and assist Halifax Humane Society team members in all areas of operations to develop and implement efficient processes to achieve lifesaving goals; participate in the development of operating procedures; follow policies, procedures, and task lists, including accurate and timely communications, work completion, data entry, and recordkeeping.
Skills and Experience:
A minimum of 4 years of experience in leading teams/managing people of at least seven direct reports, including staff and volunteers, with a record of program growth highly preferred. Management experience in an animal shelter setting is required.
Previous experience working in public-facing roles with a proven track record in providing a customer-centric, positive experience for customers, volunteers, or visitors and creating a welcoming environment for those who come into the center.
Strong leadership skills with the ability to act decisively with a get-it-done attitude in challenging and fast-paced situations; strong interpersonal skills; professional, a team player, upbeat, energetic, tactful, and diplomatic, able to get along with people from different backgrounds, as well as the ability to handle and deescalate sensitive and confidential situations.
Ability to work with, leash, kennel, walk, and handle cats and dogs, including those with health and/or behavior conditions/concerns; essential ability to identify and speak to medical and behavioral characteristics of dogs and cats.

This is a full time job