Senior Regional Director of Warrior Programs

K9s For Warriors is the nation’s largest provider of service dogs to veterans suffering from the invisible wounds of war, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Our unique, in-house program helps change the lives of American heroes by pairing them with a battle buddy, who was likely a rescue dog and then teaching him or her to utilize that dog to mitigate the symptoms of their wounds. In order to continue the great work we are doing, we are in need of a Senior Regional Director of Warrior Programs to join our amazing team!

Role And Responsibilities

The Senior Regional Director of Warrior Programs will be responsible for planning, directing and coordinating all Warrior programming across multiple campuses. They will oversee leadership policies and leadership control over all operations within their region of responsibility. The ideal regional leader will be a motivational leader with the ability to inspire and develop top-performing professionals within their markets. Under the general direction and supervision of the Chief Program Officer (CPO), the Senior Regional Director of Warrior Programs is a leader within the K9s organization who will guide operational success across multiple locations within assigned markets, seamlessly translating K9s strategy into tangible action and translating overall business strategy into market execution while providing coaching and feedback to onsite leaders. This leader will work with cross-functional teams to identify and implement continuous improvement strategies, partnering with peer leaders to ensure consistency between markets. With fingers on the pulse of assigned market(s), their insight will be instrumental in shaping strategies that align with K9s corporate goals with the intention to drive our business forward, fostering a culture of excellence and growth within their teams and the broader company. This position will be at the forefront of K9s operations, guiding strategy and teams toward new heights and ensuring alignment with K9s vision and mission.

The Senior Regional Director of Warrior Programs is responsible for directing strategy and execution to various programs-specific teams including Warrior Operations (Warrior Relations, Warrior Advocacy, Warrior Outreach, Warrior Resources, Warrior Communications, and House Parents) and Warrior Training & Education (Warrior Trainers and Training Liaisons).

Essential Functions

Leadership

• Leads confidently by taking personal responsibility for decisions and actions.
• Formulate regional objectives and strategies aligned with K9s mission and vision, driving practical actions.
• Lead and motivate teams across assigned campuses, fostering a high-performing culture that prioritizes consistent application of canine program tenants and collaboration.
• Oversees leadership of daily operations, ensuring smooth and consistent processes to maximize productivity.
• Initiates and displays an openness to change to obtain and sustain key business initiatives.
• Actively promotes teamwork by creating a culture and environment that supports individual and team empowerment.
• Confronts conflict directly and objectively with a goal of resolution for all parties.
• Participate in the management of assigned regional campus budgets, contributing to the overall organizational financial health.
• Understanding of local market trends, delivering valuable insights for company-wide strategies.
• Ensure assigned campuses adhere to departmental and corporate policies, maintaining standards across the board.
• Nurture relationships with stakeholders and clients, enhancing K9s quality reputation.
• Ensure a culture where effective teamwork, communication, collaboration, diversity, innovation, and inclusion are expected, recognized, and rewarded.

Strategic Thinking

• Translates corporate strategy into actionable plans at the regional level.
• Thinks strategically to ensure alignment between the organizational direction and local operations, thereby promoting healthy growth and consistency across the region.

Effective Communication

• Promotes open, candid information sharing across organizational boundaries.
• Builds consensus among diverse groups for the purpose of meeting business objectives.
• Presents ideas and complex material clearly, concisely, logically and persuasively both orally and in writing.
• Ensures timely, appropriate and effective communication with stakeholders.
• Applies contemporary technical concepts and best practices to Warrior Operations and Warrior Training & Education teams.

Analysis/Problem Resolution

• Finds and acts on new opportunities, eliminates barriers to change and unneeded bureaucracy.
• Makes sound business decisions based on limited, complex or contradicting information and ethical principles.
• Integrates new ideas and contemporary approaches into problem solving.
• Works effectively in group problem solving situations, building consensus and collaboration.

Results Orientation

• Sets challenging, measurable project goals that are aligned with broad organizational strategies and departmental business objectives.
• As opportunities arise, reengineers business processes and improve organizational effectiveness by proposing and implementing change initiatives required to improve efficiency, streamline operations and meet current and future business needs.

Financial Acumen

• Possesses a strong understanding and practical knowledge of financial management and the ability to make data-driven decisions is critical.
• Contributes to K9s overall financial health through the implementation and management of assigned budgets.

Public Relations & Outreach

• Represents K9s as the chief spokesperson with respect to the programs department and all teams therein.
• Works with various departments (Development, Corporate Partners, Station Dog) to coordinate attendance of outreach events and assist with effective community relations.
• Develop new relationships with local and regional businesses and veteran service organizations as well as maintain existing relationships; provide education and understanding of the K9s mission as it relates to each organization and as internal procedures are updated.

Professional Development

• Keeps abreast of trends and issues in the service dog and veteran service organization fields.
• Networks with professional organizations and participates in continuing education.
• Develops and maintains working relationships with various Service Dog organizations and other industry leaders.

Warrior Programs

• Work with the CPO to create strategic direction for all Warrior programs.
• Develop and lead consistent implementation of strategies within the Warrior Operations and Warrior Training & Education teams designed to improve K9s graduation success.
• Develop and implement operational standards for all assigned areas.
• Create, update, and maintain all standard operating procedures for each facet of the programs department as they apply to Warrior Operations and Warrior Training & Education; provide input to other teams within K9 Programs, as well as Development to align strategies and streamline procedures.
• Ensure all procedures, policies, and protocols are current with best practices and all updates are distributed to the appropriate teams; facilitate effective and efficient implementation of policies.
• Maintain databases (Smartsheet, SharePoint, Salesforce) as they apply to Future Warriors, Warriors in class, and Warrior Graduates.
• Collaborate with the veterinary team to ensure all animal care with in-class dogs are handled quickly and appropriately.
• Maintain evidence-based training standards, human measures, and responsible practices.

Additional Responsibilities

• Maintain professional appearance and ethical conduct.
• Follow all K9s policies and procedures.

Qualifications And Education Requirements

• Understanding of, and ability and willingness to uphold the mission of K9s For Warriors.
• Bachelor’s degree in business management/administration or equivalent Veteran Service Organization experience.
• Minimum ten (10) or more years of leadership and team building experience, with experience working in a regional position strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and compile complex data for planning and reporting purposes.
• Nonprofit experience strongly preferred.
• ADI certification experience preferred.
• Experience with program development and management.
• Demonstrable leadership skills with a track record of managing, motivating, and developing high-performing teams.
• Effective communicator.
• Ability to lead in a changing environment.
• Proven ability to develop and implement strategic plans that align with company goals and drive quality and growth.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively liaise between corporate headquarters and assigned campuses.
• Strong problem-solving abilities with a keen eye for detail and the ability to make data-driven decisions.
• Solid understanding of financial management principles and the ability to analyze financial data and to collaborate with CPO on budget planning and management.
• Willingness to travel frequently within assigned regional territory to foster relationships, oversee operations, and ensure policy compliance and consistency across campuses.
• Proficiency with Salesforce preferred.
• Must have a valid Driver’s License and ability to drive a company vehicle.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Leadership of Groups
• Integrity
• Initiative
• Adaptability
• Identification with Management
• Results Oriented
• Planning and organizing

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Requires frequent lifting (50 pounds), bending, reaching, standing, walking, stooping, crouching, and the like regularly throughout a work shift. Requires exposure to communicable diseases, bodily fluids, chemicals, odors, sounds, inclement weather, and other conditions common to a shelter environment.