Director of Animal Services

New Orleans Humane Law and Rescue, LLC•New Orleans, LA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Louisiana SPCA is seeking its next Director of Animal Services to lead a critical, high-impact division at a pivotal moment of growth and stabilization. This is a role for a leader who is as comfortable developing people as they are managing operations, someone who can bring clarity, steadiness, and connection in complex, emotionally demanding work. The Director of Animal Services will oversee a multi-site, multi-function operation that includes animal care, field services, intake, adoptions, and community-facing programs. While the scope is operational, success in this role is deeply human. This leader will be responsible for bringing teams together, supporting managers, and helping the broader organization operate as a cohesive whole in service of a shared mission: creating a more humane community for people and pets. For more than 130 years, the Louisiana SPCA has played a central role in advancing the well-being of companion animals across the Greater New Orleans region. As an open-admission shelter with a broad mandate, the organization operates at the intersection of animal welfare, public service, and community engagement, impacting more than 73,000 animals each year. With an annual operating budget of approximately $14 million, the Louisiana SPCA delivers a wide range of services that extend well beyond traditional sheltering, including field services, humane law enforcement, and community-based programs designed to keep people and pets together whenever possible. The Director of Animal Services is responsible for overseeing a significant portion of this work, including an operational budget of approximately $5 million. The Louisiana SPCA’s mission—to promote, protect, and advance the well-being of Louisiana’s companion animals—guides this work, alongside core values grounded in responsibility, compassion, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

Senior leadership experience managing teams in complex, people-centered environments
Demonstrated ability to lead through others and develop managers
Experience navigating multi-function operations or similarly complex systems
Strong operational and organizational management acumen
Comfort working in a structured, accountability-driven environment
A deep commitment to animal welfare and community impact
Direct experience in animal welfare, animal services, sheltering, or a closely related field
Must have a valid driver’s license and a drivers record acceptable to the company’s auto insurance requirements.
Must be able to pass a criminal background check and pre-employment substance screening.
Highly proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, with advanced capabilities in Excel and PowerPoint.
Proficient in animal sheltering databases including reporting, data analytics, and creation of verbal and visual presentation of analysis.
Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times, stressful environment.
Experience supervising senior managers and professional employees with a demonstrated capability to lead, manage, motivate and engage the team and individuals.
Ability to work extended hours, weekends, on call or holidays when needed.
Should not be allergic to animals or nut products; must be able to work around all animals.
Must be able to work with industrial-strength cleaners and disinfectants.
Must be able to lift at least 50 pounds; push and pull heavy objects; bend, twist, reach; perform strenuous physical activities including frequent walking and running, standing, bending and stooping.

Nice To Haves

While prior experience with EOS is not required, the Director will be expected to engage with its tools and approach over time, using them to support clarity, accountability, and team alignment.
Willingness to become trained in key operational aspects of the role as part of leading and supporting the team
A sense of humor—this is serious work, but not a humorless place

Responsibilities

Leading and supporting a team of managers across animal care, field services, intake, adoptions, and related functions.
Ensuring alignment and coordination across departments to improve outcomes and support, smooth collaboration.
Translating organizational priorities into clear, actionable plans
Supporting and strengthening community engagement and partnerships
Overseeing shelter operations across multiple locations
Contributing to disaster preparedness and emergency response efforts
Managing budgets, resources, and operational performance