Executive Director – Newburyport, MA DH5896

Description:

The Executive Director (ED) is responsible for overseeing the organization’s consistent achievement of its vision, mission, and financial objectives. The ED is also responsible for planning, organizing, and supervising all aspects of operations, overseeing the development and implementation of a strategic plan for the long-term growth and success of the organization, and ensuring high-quality animal care including spay/neuter for cats, in line with a deep commitment to the organization’s mission and guiding principles.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership:

• Implement the organization’s strategic vision in alignment with our mission and values.
• Planning, in conjunction with the board of directors, a future capital campaign and new facility construction.
• Overseeing the assessment and upgrading of the organization’s technology infrastructure.

Animal Care & Shelter Medicine Standards:

• Overseeing the welfare for all cats who come under the care of the organization and ensuring their humane treatment according to industry best practices.
• Externally, serve as a thought leader in the field, engaging with other organizations and contributing to the dialogue on best practices in animal welfare.

Programs Development: Planning, implementing, and evaluating programs including adoptions, cat retention, spay/neuter services, volunteer engagement, and foster care network to ensure maximum mission impact.

Budget and Finance:

• Maintain overall responsibility for the organization’s budget, ensuring responsible financial management and sustainability.
• Establish sound financial practices including the preparation of financial reports, budgets and summaries; submitting budgets and audits for approval; and monitoring compliance of expenditures within approved budgetary constraints.

Staff Management and Professional Development:

• Foster a culture of compassion, collaboration, and accountability among staff and volunteers. Attract, retain, and motivate diverse teams who support and promote the mission and goals of the organization.
• Overseeing human resources (both paid staff and volunteers) including recruiting, on-boarding new people, and providing direction, management, training and, when necessary, the release of personnel.
• Ensuring that job descriptions are maintained, regular performance evaluations are conducted, and human resource practices are in place that abide by local, state, and federal law.

Board Engagement: Working in partnership with the board of directors and board committee members to effectively leverage their expertise to advance organizational goals.

Compliance with Laws, Regulations, Policies, and Guidelines:

• Ensuring operational compliance with current federal, state, county, and local laws, regulations and guidelines that affect operations.
• Overseeing integrity of official records including legally compliant animal tracking and veterinary care, adoptions, staff personnel files, budgetary accountability, donor records, and all other functions.

Collaborative Leadership: Executive Director & Development Director: Partner with the Director of Development & Communication to ensure that fundraising goals and brand messaging directly support the operational needs of the shelter and clinic.

Position type/Expected hours to work:

• The ED position is an exempt one which requires the ability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends as required, averaging 40 hours per week.
• This position supervises, directly or indirectly, all full and part time staff of the organization, roughly 15 employees.

Competencies:

• Strategic Planning & Vision: Ability to define and articulate a clear strategic vision, translating long-term organizational goals, such as capital campaigns and facility construction, into actionable plans.
• Leadership: Proven experience in supervising staff and effectively collaborating with the Board of Directors.
• Communication: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with an ability to engage with staff, volunteers, Board members, general public and other stakeholders. Outstanding customer service skills.
• Animal Welfare and Program Management Expertise: Functional knowledge of current shelter medicine and animal welfare best practices, with proven experience in designing and evaluating programs for maximum mission impact.
• Human Resources and Volunteer Management: Strong competency in non-profit Human Resources management, including recruiting, professional development, maintaining sound HR practices, and cultivating a robust volunteer program.
• Financial Management: Functional knowledge in budget preparation, analysis, decision making, and reporting.
• Risk Management & Operational Safety: In conjunction with the Veterinary Medical Director, ability to identify and mitigate risks related to animal handling, zoonotic disease, and clinical operations; ensures a safe environment for staff, volunteers, and animals.
• Decision Making: An open-minded listener who seeks and values a range of viewpoints in solving problems, and is also comfortable making a final decision.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree a plus.
• Minimum three years of experience in a senior leadership position with strong and transferable skills in nonprofit management (preferred) specifically animal welfare, or a related field.
• Ability to work with and around animals: Ability to work with and around sick, injured and/or fractious animals; and handle environmental conditions like loud noises; chemicals; and inclement weather.
• Allergic conditions that would be aggravated when handling or working with animals may be a disqualification.
• Valid state driver’s license: Possession of a valid driver’s license (MA, NH, or ME) within 20 days of start.

Workplace Environment:

• This position will be required to perform duties in an administrative environment as well as a shelter environment where cats are housed and in a mobile surgical unit.
• This position may involve evening and weekend work, working outdoors or at community gatherings, TNR Clinic, and/or mobile unit. The role involves interacting with the general public and occasional outdoor work in various weather conditions.

Compensation: Up to $125K

Consultant Contact Information:

Daniel Hill
781-778-7211
danh@willmott.com
Willmott & Associates, Inc.
289 Great Rd., Suite 106
Acton, MA 01720