Senior Manager, Adoptions and Community Programs - Salt Lake City, UT

Best Friends•Salt Lake, UT

5d•$85,000 - $100,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Manager of Adoptions and Community Programs is a key leader responsible for the daily functions, efficient operations and growth of lifesaving programs including outcomes, community engagement programs, care and enrichment for all pets at our lifesaving centers. They work with their leadership to oversee strategic expansion and engagement of community for the success of Best Friends Animal Society's mission and vision. Senior Manager s serve as the program leaders to achieve objectives and function with a high degree of autonomy. We believe in treating everyone with kindness and compassion, building trust through authenticity and following through on commitments. We prioritize well-being alongside our mission, fostering strong relationships through open communication and transparent feedback. Diversity and inclusion are integral to our culture, enriching team dynamics by valuing diverse perspectives. Each team member is responsible for creating an inclusive environment where all voices are respected and contributing to a workplace that embodies our shared values and commitment to progress. By consistently aligning our actions with our Guiding Principles, we strengthen our culture and ensure that our values are lived every day.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED is required.
A minimum of 5 years of leadership experience, including 3+ years at a senior leader level leading multiple departments, department managers, and teams. The ideal experience would include program oversight, budgeting, performance management, coaching, and goal setting.
Customer-centric, non-judgmental approach to engaging with adopters, partners, visitors, volunteers, and colleagues; familiarity and comfort with a conversational adoption process.
Strengths 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.
Excellent communications skills: comfort with public speaking and presentation experience ; ab i lity to professionally advocate Best Friends' position on issues.
Strong interpersonal skills, a team player, personable, professional, and able to get along with people from different backgrounds, as well as the ability to handle difficult and often sensitive and confidential situations.
Collaborative across departments and naturally open to and promotes forward thinking.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with well-developed organization skills, adapt to changing priorities and situations, and juggle multiple competing tasks and demands.
Resourceful, get - it-done attitude; initiative to assist in any area or process; problem solving, seeking answers independently and enthusiastically; flexibility to persist until goals are achieved.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products; familiarity with shelter software/animal management software, or desire to learn.
Must be able to : Routinely lift 40 pounds and perform daily strenuous activity including, but not limited to lifting, carrying, reaching, stooping, squatting, cleaning, and bending.
Perform repetitive tasks for extended periods of time including typing, sitting, walking, arm, and hand motion .
Work indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions including extreme heat and cold.
Exposure to dogs, cats and other animals of all sizes, temperaments, and medical status .
Ability to work with, leash, kennel, walk, and handle cats and dogs, including those with health and/or behavior conditions/concerns.
Daily hours and days of the week may vary according to the needs of the department schedule; position includes weekends, nights, and holiday work.
After-hours flexibility to monitor a designated phone line for urgent foster care or volunteer-related issues, such as animal emergencies, or scheduling issues. This responsibility may be assigned on a rotating schedule or as needed based on program demands.
Ability to travel, including overnight stays, when needed.
Must have a valid driver's license for at least 3 years, ability to qualify to be added to Best Friends insurance.

Nice To Haves

Animal shelter management experience with a lifesaving focus is preferred.
Prior experience managing adoption, volunteer, and/or community outreach programming is strongly preferred.
3+ years of experience working for or with a humane organization is preferred but not required.
Prior experience working or volunteering with cats and dogs as well as the ability to identify and speak to medical and behavioral characteristics of dogs and cats is preferred.
Bilingual or multi-lingual skills are preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Lead by example through direct and impactful personal and organizational contributions towards Best Friends' no-kill 2025 goal
Following the divisional OGSPs, work with Director and/or Senior Director to develop annual lifesaving center goals and metrics integrating operational work to direct impact of shelter conversions.
Oversee division and departmental budgets including managing expenses, revenues, and reporting on result; oversee the physical facilities, equipment procurement and management of supplies, inventory, and building upkeep; participate in capital improvement project planning.
Promote and oversee community-first strategies, engaging volunteers, community members, and other stakeholders at the highest level
Lead human resource matters in conjunction with the Human Resources and Employee Relations departments regarding staff selection, management, development, and retention; oversee headcount controls and position creation or realignment; build individual capabilities and capacity through performance measurement, goals setting, reporting and analysis.
Participate in the development of community program goals as well as any other quantitative and qualitative measures of success; lead the execution, strategies and programs to achieve those lifesaving goals through community support through general management of all community programs.
Partner with directors to 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 with coalition partners, at events, conferences, and public speaking opportunities.
Lead teams and volunteers to oversee, coordinate and conduct daily lifesaving outcomes & care such as adoptions, foster placement, feeding, cleaning, walking, and medicating animals housed or transported within Best Friends' vehicles, buildings, or facilities with the goal of utilizing volunteers to the greatest extent possible to expand Best Friends lifesaving capacity.
Identify pet adoption opportunities and foster engagement opportunities through events, off site adoption meets and source pet retention resources to help expand Best Friends' lifesaving capacity utilizing volunteers when able
Work with Director and/or Senior Director to routinely evaluate onsite animal capacity and determine lifesaving needs for shelter conversions: develop and improve program efficiency to increase placement opportunities; routinely audit length of stay trends and reporting in Lifesaving Center animal population and work with all Lifesaving Program managers to expedite placement for long-stay animals.
Oversee department managers and supervisors ensuring priority focus on creating a welcoming and engaging environment at the Lifesaving Center and it's offsite events and activities to enhance overall visitor satisfaction and support Best Friends Animal Society's mission; provide superior customer service to all visitors and use each interaction as opportunity to develop and engage individuals to support the organizational goals for constituent journey development.
Work with program managers in conjunction with the Community Programs teams develop strategies for recruitment and retention of volunteers, to include foster program volunteers; ensure volunteer opportunities augment daily operations and maximize lifesaving capacity, through each opportunity define and track goals for shift attendance; Ensure volunteer opportunities are aligned with organizational goals for constituent journey development.
Oversee and assist when needed in the creation of engaging content for social media platforms, to include creation and/or editing of written, video, and photo content.
Oversee department managers and ensure training of all Best Friends' team members in all areas of operations to develop, evolve, 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 .
Lead the maintenance of a safe workplace, value, and model safe work practices, adhering to organizational safety practices and rules, and addressing or communicating to leadership about unsafe practices and conditions.