Senior Manager, Lifesaving Programs - Los Angeles, CA

Best Friends Animal Society•Los Angeles, CA

3d•$95,000 - $105,000•Onsite

About The Position

Lifesaving Programs Senior Manager is a key leader responsible for the daily functions, efficient operations and growth of lifesaving programs including outcomes, foster and the care and enrichment for all pets at our lifesaving centers. Lifesaving Programs Senior Managers work with their leadership to oversee strategic expansion and engagement of community for the success of Best Friends Animal Society’s mission and vision. They serve as the program leaders to achieve objectives and function with a high degree of autonomy. We value attitude over aptitude, and we treat Kindness as a discipline because it is paramount in our culture along with our other Guiding Principles. Culture is how we talk to and treat ourselves and one another, it’s how we generate and respond to change, it’s how we plan and make decisions, it’s how we do what we do.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED or 3-5 years’ experience working in animal welfare, animal care or veterinary practice.
Solid leadership and management experience preferably in animal welfare with a lifesaving focus
3+ years of management or leadership experience, including overseeing, budgets, and staff
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; ability to professionally advocate Best Friends’ position on issues.
Customer-centric, non-judgmental approach to engaging with adopters, partners, visitors, volunteers, and colleagues; familiarity and comfort with a conversational adoption process.
Ability to work with, leash, kennel, walk, and handle cats and dogs, including those with health and/or behavior conditions/concerns; basic ability to identify and speak to medical and behavioral characteristics of dogs and cats.
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 sensitive and confidential situations.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with well-developed organization skills to 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.
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.
Valid driver’s license, meeting Best Friends Animal Society’s driver qualification standards; ability to travel, including overnight stays, when needed.
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.

Nice To Haves

3+ years of experience working for or with a humane organization preferred but not required.
Bilingual or multi-lingual skills 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.
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, offsite 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
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
Work with program managers in conjunction with the Community Programs teams develop strategies for recruitment and retention of volunteers, to include foster program volunteers
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.
Supervise and support veterinary leadership, ensuring high standards of medical care, compliance with state and federal regulations, and alignment with shelter medicine best practices
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.