Senior Manager, Placement Programs

ASPCA • Weaverville, NC

7d • $75,000 - $79,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Placement Programs oversees the Coordinator, Adoptions and Placement, and works across ASPCA departments to promote, organize, and execute placements for graduates of the Behavioral Rehabilitation Center (BRC), through placement partners and direct adoption. Reporting to the Senior Director, Operations, this role has one direct report and collaborates closely with shelter operations, shelter medicine, and animal behavior teams to provide integrated care that supports dogs’ behavioral health.

The position develops and manages placement and adoption programs, partner relationships, outreach, marketing materials, animal documentation, and placement procedures. It also supervises and develops staff, supports daily BRC operations, and helps ensure that each dog’s placement is prepared and documented appropriately. The role requires working closely with behaviorally compromised animals in an environment where euthanasia is performed regularly.

This is an in-person role at the Behavior Rehabilitation Center in Weaverville, North Carolina. The schedule is typically five days per week, usually Monday through Friday, but must be flexible to include days, evenings, weekends, and holidays when operationally needed. The role participates in rotating on-call coverage and requires travel up to 20% of the time, including at least quarterly travel to transport animals or provide field or temporary-shelter support.

Requirements

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent experience.
• At least two years of professional experience working in animal shelters.
• Leadership experience, such as managing, mentoring, coaching, or training others.
• Knowledge of companion-animal behavior and animal welfare.
• Ability to work closely with behaviorally compromised animals and comfort working in an environment where euthanasia is performed regularly.
• Proficiency with internet use and research.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent spoken, telephone, and written communication skills.
• Collaborative, team-oriented interpersonal skills.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, potentially stressful environment and adapt to frequent changes in plans or protocols.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Willingness and ability to handle animals in stressful conditions.
• Concern for the safety and well-being of self, animals, and others, especially during stressful situations.
• Ability to exemplify ASPCA core values and behavioral competencies.
• Availability to work five days per week, typically Monday through Friday, with flexibility for days, evenings, weekends, and holidays as operational needs require.
• Ability to participate in rotating on-call coverage.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 20% of the time, including at least once per quarter for animal transport or field or temporary-shelter support.
• Ability to work in person at the BRC in Weaverville, North Carolina.
• English language proficiency.
• Complete Fear Free® training and obtain certification within 60 days of hire.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in an animal shelter adoptions setting.
• Professional experience handling and working with dogs.
• Community outreach and engagement experience.
• Writing and photography experience (strongly preferred).
• Experience with Airtable or similar software.
• Familiarity with shelter management software systems.
• Familiarity with Salesforce or related software.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement enhancements and standard operating procedures for the direct adoption program.
• Expand adoption and outreach efforts to streamline direct placements and provide a high-quality experience for adopters and staff.
• Collaborate with Behavior and Operations teams to learn about BRC graduates, participate regularly in treatments and playgroups, and collect photos and videos.
• Review graduate medical and behavioral documentation for transparency, objectivity, and alignment with organizational standards; work with relevant teams to revise documentation as needed.
• Coordinate transports with Centralized Placement and medical, behavior, and operations teams to support smooth transitions for dogs leaving the BRC.
• Survey adopters after placement to assess outcomes for the dog, adopter, and program.
• Work with the Behavior Branch and Centralized Placement Team to onboard shelter partners and conduct facility visits when needed.
• Develop partner-shelter shadowing opportunities with the Behavior Branch and Centralized Placement Team.
• Prepare dogs and their documentation and supplies for transport to placement partners; coordinate loading with the Relocation Team and transport dogs when necessary, following ASPCA transport best practices.
• Provide direct oversight to the Coordinator, Adoptions and Placement.
• Ensure the team follows standard operating procedures, protocols, and regulatory requirements, and maintain accurate compliance records.
• Work with BRC leadership to develop and evaluate employee recognition and engagement initiatives; arrange tasks and resources to support efficient workflow.
• Set team goals, motivate staff, facilitate communication, address conflict, monitor performance, provide coaching and feedback, and conduct formal appraisals.
• Partner with BRC leadership and the People Team on recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and workforce planning; work with leadership and Learning & Development to identify training needs and support professional development.
• Serve as Manager on Duty for the daily care team as needed, making operational and staffing adjustments, answering questions, exchanging feedback, and supporting compliance with daily operations.
• Collect photos, videos, and information to tell graduate stories and support placement and adoption marketing.
• Develop or edit informative web biographies and detailed, objective animal profiles for adoption and centralized placement, including behavioral and medical information, photos, videos, traits, and management needs.
• Coordinate with the Behavior Branch and Media & Communications Team to prepare and maintain adoption profiles and communicate when graduate profiles should be added, removed, or updated.
• Provide marketing support to receiving partner shelters and stay current on adoption trends.
• Identify and participate in community outreach, develop creative ways to increase the reach of direct adoption, and build relationships with local businesses that may support adoption promotion.
• Create and manage adoption agreements, placement forms, and other process documentation; ensure documents are signed and retained appropriately.
• Create and update placement documents, protocols, and standard operating procedures; finalize graduate documents and prepare graduate folders for placement.
• Work with the BRC Medical Branch to prepare medical documents for placement and add them to graduate folders.
• Verify that all required actions are complete before a dog leaves the BRC and collect and track adoption inquiry data to support strategic promotion plans.
• Attend meetings and huddles as needed, including Leads & Manager Meetings, All Staff Huddles, Dog Status Updates, and Outcomes meetings.
• Collaborate with Learning Lab and represent the BRC during teaching weeks as needed to answer questions about placement processes and documentation.
• Represent the BRC in media opportunities as needed and model support for animals’ behavioral and mental health.
• Support other departmental activities that advance the team and ASPCA, as identified by the supervisor.
• Demonstrate kindness, compassion, authenticity, accountability, and constructive communication in working relationships.

Benefits

• Affordable medical coverage, employer-paid dental coverage, and optional vision coverage.
• Flexible time off, including vacation, paid personal time, sick time, bereavement time, paid parental leave, and 10 company-paid holidays.
• 401(k) plan with dollar-for-dollar employer matching up to 4%, plus an additional employer contribution of 4% each year.
• Professional development opportunities, including classes, on-the-job training, coaching, mentorship, internal mobility, and opportunities to support work in the field.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: High school or GED