Job Title: Executive Director
Status: Full-Time, Exempt (Administrative)
Reports To: Board of Directors
The Humane Society of Chittenden County seeks an experienced candidate to join the leadership team of our 123-year-old growing organization!
Position Description:
The Executive Director is responsible for the successful leadership, strategic direction, and overall management of the Humane Society of Chittenden County (HSCC) to fulfill the organization’s mission and vision, as set by the Board of Directors. This role involves providing visionary leadership, overseeing daily operations, managing and inspiring a team of 25-30 staff members, ensuring the organization’s financial health, and representing HSCC to the community, donors, and other stakeholders. The Executive Director guides HSCC’s Leadership Team and directly oversees its members: the Director of Development, Director of Finance & Administration, Veterinarian & Chief Medical Officer, Shelter Manager, and Senior Communications Manager. Charged with keeping an eye on the "big picture," the Executive Director ensures a high standard of care for our animals and our community members and a positive, respectful, and productive workplace culture for our staff.
You would be joining a dedicated, passionate, and collaborative team in an environment that fosters compassion and empathy for all living things, and a workplace culture that supports this ethos. At HSCC, our staff is our greatest asset, and we offer a competitive salary and a full benefits package including low-cost veterinary care, health insurance, and paid time off (starting at 4 weeks per year, plus paid holidays).
About Our Organization:
HSCC is committed to the well-being of animals and their families: our mission is to ensure that every pet has a loving home and that every pet owner has access to the resources they need to give those pets happy, healthy lives. Our pledge to the members of our community – both animal and human alike – is to conduct our work with compassion, integrity, transparency, and a high standard of quality. In support of our mission, HSCC is committed to keeping pets and their families together through our surrender prevention resources and humane education initiatives. HSCC rehomes over 1,200 animals per year, including cats, dogs, and small companion animals, and serves upwards of 20,000 people each year through our adoption center, community programs & services, humane education programs, and low-cost Community Pet Clinic.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
Leadership
- Work with the Board of Directors in building a vision that is aligned with HSCC’s mission. With Board and staff input, develop and periodically update a multi-year strategic plan to guide HSCC in achieving that vision
- Identify and assess internal and external issues affecting the organization and communicate these regularly to the Board
- Maintain an organizational culture that encourages inclusivity, mutual respect, consistent two-way communication, and honest feedback
- Lead by example by collaborating effectively with the Board and staff and acting as a role model in advancing HSCC’s culture
- Provide regular supervision, coaching, and mentoring to staff to promote continuous improvement and career development
- Skillfully address and resolve personnel issues
- Ensure a robust communication pipeline among staff, facilitating the productive flow of information between departments
Operations and Programming
- Oversee the planning, implementation, and evaluation of HSCC’s programs and services. Ensure a high performance standard for HSCC’s operations
- Ensure that the programs and services offered by HSCC contribute to the organization's mission and reflect the priorities in the organization’s strategic plan
- Draft organizational policies to enhance HSCC’s operations, programs, and services, and implement those policies after approval by the Board
- Review existing organizational policies annually and recommend changes as needed
- Manage building facilities and maintenance to ensure consistent and efficient operations
Development and Fundraising
- Establish and cultivate relationships with major donors
- Support high-leverage fundraising activities and frequent donor communications
- Alongside the Development Director and the Board’s Development Committee, research funding sources, oversee the creation of strategic development plans, and contribute to grant proposals
Financial Planning and Management
- Work with staff and the Board’s Budget & Finance Committee to prepare a comprehensive and realistic budget prior to each fiscal year
- Manage the finances of the organization according to the approved budget
- Provide the Budget & Finance Committee and Board with accurate, relevant, and timely financial reporting
- When circumstances change from budgeted assumptions, make recommendations for adjustments to HSCC’s financial strategy and quantify the impact of those recommendations
- Monitor the monthly cash flow of HSCC, forecasting anticipated cash needs and developing strategies to meet those needs
- Provide high-level oversight of expenses, ensuring that spending levels are reasonable, supportable, and aligned with HSCC’s priorities
Human Resources Planning and Management
- Supervise staff scheduling and approve bi-weekly timesheets of direct reports for submission to the Director of Finance & Administration
- Determine required staffing levels to ensure the reliable, high quality delivery of HSCC’s services and programming
- Recruit staff that have the right technical and personal skills to further HSCC’s mission and contribute to its culture
- Adjust staffing as warranted to reflect changes in HSCC’s needs and to ensure that a high standard of performance is maintained across the organization
- Oversee the implementation of human resources policies, procedures and practices, including maintaining current job descriptions for all staff
- Establish appropriate orientation and training programs for all employees
- Maintain a transparent performance management process for all staff, including regular monitoring and feedback and a formal annual review
Risk Management
- Identify risks to the HSCC’s people (clients, staff, management, volunteers), property, finances, and reputation and implement measures to mitigate those risks
- Ensure that HSCC and its Board carry appropriate and adequate insurance coverage
- Maintain a positive, healthy and safe work environment in accordance with regulations
- Create a secure environment where personnel, client, donor and volunteer files are securely stored, and necessary privacy and confidentiality is maintained
- Ensure that sound bookkeeping, accounting, recordkeeping, and internal control procedures are established and followed
Community Relations and External Communication
- Alongside the Chair of the Board, act as a spokesperson for the organization, developing and issuing official correspondence on behalf of HSCC
- Enhance HSCC’s visibility and profile in the community by representing the organization at community activities
- Establish good working relationships and communication with community groups, funders, politicians, and other stakeholders to help achieve the goals of HSCC
Work Environment Requirements:
- Must be available to work some evenings, weekends, and holidays and respond to after-hours emergency calls
- Must be able to work in an animal shelter setting with exposure to animal-related sounds, smells, and allergens
Qualifications:
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in nonprofit management, preferably in an animal welfare setting
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, nonprofit management, animal science, or related field (equivalent experience will also be considered)
- Strong financial acumen and proven track record in fundraising, financial management, and strategic planning
- Enthusiasm for HSCC’s mission and passion for animal welfare
- Knowledge of progressive animal welfare practices, shelter operations, and/or best practices in nonprofit management is preferred, but not required
- Proven ability to motivate, lead, and inspire diverse teams
- Exemplary leadership, management, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Strong organizational and critical thinking skills, with the ability to successfully manage multiple priorities
- Ability to work effectively with diverse groups and build strong relationships with community stakeholders
- Advanced technological literacy (proficiency in Microsoft Office and G Suites preferred)
- Commitment to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, as well as a supportive & nonjudgmental atmosphere for community members, including people from historically marginalized backgrounds
Benefits:
- Combined Time Off (20 days per year, w/ increases after 4 years of service)
- 6 paid holidays per year
- Access to affordable insurance plans for medical (MVP), dental (Delta), and vision (VSP), with a monthly company-paid medical insurance stipend
- 100% employer-paid short-term disability policy
- Access to HSCC’s SIMPLE IRA retirement plan, with up to a 3% match of your taxable salary each pay period
- Access to our robust Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Low-cost veterinary care through HSCC’s Community Pet Clinic