Location: Los Angeles, CA.
Looking to take your lifesaving passion to the next level?
Best Friends is seeking a motivated, creative, and inspiring leader for its Los Angeles program.
This program, the second largest operational program outside of the Sanctuary in Kanab, helped support a coalition of partners, and an inspired community who, together, helped the Los Angeles City sheltering system achieve the 90% lifesaving benchmark of success in 2020.
The program’s Executive Director leads the operational expression of Best Friends Animal Society’s mission and vision in that city and throughout the surrounding region.
The ideal candidate will:
Value relationships, kindness, compassion, diplomacy, and open communications with partners and stakeholders; lead by example through direct and impactful personal and organizational contributions towards Best Friends’ no-kill 2025 goal; act with urgency and efficiency on behalf of animals still at risk of being killed in shelters across the region and the country; lead teams in their important role as ambassadors representing Best Friends’ history, mission, and no-kill goals.
Define lifesaving goals as well as any other quantitative and qualitative measures of success; lead the execution strategies and programs to achieve those lifesaving goals through general management of all lifesaving programs, including program redesign as necessary to fulfill objectives.
Represent the vision as well as the strategies to achieve that vision.
Communicate the status of the execution of those strategies to staff, supporters, and stakeholders; participate in meetings with donor prospects as arranged by development staff; co-lead the development and local execution of the Best Friends’ brand and public relations strategies with communications teams; represent Best Friends at events, conferences, and public speaking opportunities.
Purposefully and thoughtfully create an environment where Best Friends is the best place to work for a career in animal welfare, providing opportunities for growth, and for maximizing individuals’ lifesaving impact.
The ideal candidate’s skills and experience include:
Solid leadership and management experience preferably in animal operations with a lifesaving focus; 5+ years of proven successful leadership experience, including overseeing large-scale strategy, operations, budgeting, and staffing, preferably including oversight of multiple locations and/or facilities; 5+ years of experience working for or with a humane organization preferred but not required; experience with or confidence in understanding and managing budgets.
Strengths and experience in utilizing statistical information to inform, develop and implement division and department level strategic plans, including change management strategies and program direction; proven attention to detail with advanced organizational and time management skills.
Customer-centric, non-judgmental approach to engaging with adopters, partners, visitors, volunteers, and colleagues; familiarity and comfort with nonjudgmental philosophies.
Strong leadership skills with the ability to act decisively with a get-it-done attitude in difficult and fast-paced situations; strong interpersonal skills, a team player, upbeat, energetic, tactful, and diplomatic, able to get along with people from different backgrounds, as well as the ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations.
Excellent communication skills, public speaking, and presentation experience with the ability to professionally advocate Best Friends’ position on issues; experience in supporting, engaging with, and developing relationships with volunteers and donors.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products; familiarity with shelter software/animal management software, or desire to learn, comfort learning new systems, including online information systems.
Thank you for your interest in pursuing a career at Best Friends Animal Society.
Best Friends Animal Society is an equal opportunity employer.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, domestic partner status.