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Job Description

The Cleveland Animal Protective League (APL) is seeking an experienced operational leader to serve as its next Vice President of Operations. This is a senior executive role within a respected, nonprofit humane organization known for the quality of its animal care, the integrity of its humane investigations, and its commitment to helping pets and families stay together.

Reporting to the President & CEO and serving as a key member of the executive leadership team, the Vice President of Operations will provide leadership across many of the areas at the heart of APL’s mission, including shelter operations, veterinary services, community initiatives, humane law enforcement, facilities, and information technology.

The Cleveland APL operates a 39,000-square-foot animal care and resource center and has an annual operating budget of approximately $13.5 million, 110 employees, 1,500 active volunteers, and recently completed a substantial facility renovation. Its work extends far beyond traditional sheltering through an integrated model that includes humane animal care and adoptions, a robust foster network, shelter-based and community veterinary services, spay/neuter and Trap-Neuter-Return programs, Project CARE, humane investigations with full police authority, and legislative advocacy.

The ideal candidate will bring strong shelter operations and field service experience, whether through animal control, humane law enforcement, cruelty response, or related work. They will be a strategic operator and collaborative executive who can develop strong leaders, strengthen systems and accountability, use data to guide decisions, and lead continuous improvement while maintaining exceptional standards of animal welfare and service.

The next Vice President of Operations will join a strong, experienced leadership team and help APL continue to strengthen the systems, people, and practices behind exceptional animal care, effective humane law enforcement, and responsive services for pets and the people who care for them.

The salary range for this position is $134,000–$150,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

View the full position profile here: https://adisagroup.com/apl-vp-ops-position-profile/

Candidates interested in this opportunity should send a detailed resume and cover letter combined into a single PDF to search@adisagroup.com. For any inquiries, please use the same email address.

This is a full time job

Contact Information

Job Contact Details

Betsy McFarland
Principal
betsy@adisagroup.com

Closing Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026

Posting Date:

Closing Date: