Location: Salt Lake City UT

Hiring Range: This position's hiring range is anticipated to be $130,000 to $145,000 annually, depending on experience, plus great benefits!

Interviews will occur weekly until the position is filled.

Summary: The Executive Director, Salt Lake City, leads the operational expression of Best Friends Animal Society’s mission and vision. Responsible for developing, prioritizing, and implementing local program strategy, Best Friends’ Executive Directors oversee large-scale, location-based facilities, programs, and people. They serve as the primary stakeholder connection and functions with high autonomy.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Treat people around you as our most valuable resource by leading with compassion and kindness in all your actions, build trust by demonstrating authenticity and following through on your commitments, encourage self-care and work-life balance through your own example, and work to build strong relationships with your team by creating communication loops to share and receive honest feedback. You are responsible and accountable for the culture of your team.

Leadership & Lifesaving

• Lead by example through direct and impactful personal and organizational contributions towards Best Friends’ no-kill 2025 goal; act with urgency and efficiency on behalf of animals still at risk of being killed in shelters across the region and the country; lead teams in their important role as ambassadors representing Best Friends’ history, mission, and no-kill goals.
• Define lifesaving goals as well as any other quantitative and qualitative measures of success; lead the execution strategies and programs to achieve those lifesaving goals through general management of all lifesaving programs, including complete program redesign as necessary to fulfill objectives.
• Establish the goals/vision as well as the strategies to achieve that vision. 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 at events, conferences, and public speaking opportunities.
• Purposefully and thoughtfully create an environment where Best Friends is the best place to work for a career in animal welfare, providing opportunities for growth, and for maximizing individuals’ lifesaving impact.
• Exemplify and drive an inspired, hands-on level of personal service in keeping with Best Friends brand and hospitality standards for all Best Friends clientele including members, donors, volunteers, associates, etc. Build and develop a dynamic team that is collaborative, friendly, open minded, good listeners, focused on guests’ interaction while saving animals in an impactful way.

Operational vision

• 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.
• Oversee division and departmental budgets including managing expenses, revenues, and reporting on result; oversee the physical facilities and equipment procurement and management including supplies, inventory, building upkeep; participate in capital improvement project planning.
• 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.
• Keep current on modern animal welfare practices and philosophies. Lead, enact and ensure the staff are acting in alignment with Best Friend’s vision, philosophy, values, and progressive industry practices.  Provide feedback, coaching and develop training to staff and volunteers where needed to accomplish this standard. 

Skills and Experience:

• Solid leadership and management experience in animal operations with a lifesaving focus; 10+ years of proven management experience with at least 2+ years of those at the director/executive level of leadership, including overseeing large-scale strategy, operations, budgeting, and staffing.
• 5+ years of experience working for or with a humane organization required; experience with or confidence in understanding and managing budgets.
• Strengths and experience 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.
• Customer-centric, non-judgmental approach to engaging with adopters, partners, visitors, volunteers, and colleagues; familiarity and comfort with nonjudgmental philosophies.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to act decisively with a get-it-done attitude in difficult and fast-paced situations; strong interpersonal skills, a team player, upbeat, energetic, tactful, and diplomatic, able to get along with people from different backgrounds, as well as the ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations.
• Excellent communication skills, public speaking, and presentation experience with the ability to professionally advocate Best Friends’ position on issues; experience in supporting, engaging with, and developing relationships with volunteers and donors.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products; familiarity with shelter software/animal management software, or desire to learn, comfort learning new systems, including online information systems.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to:
• 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. 

Thank you for your interest in pursuing a career at Best Friends Animal Society.  Best Friends Animal Society is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, or domestic partner status.

Applicants for employment in the US must have valid work authorization that does not now and/or will not in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the US by Best Friends Animal Society.