LocationKanab, Utah

Hiring Range: This positions salary range is expected to start at $90,000-$110,000 based on experience + great benefits!

Recruiter phone screens will occur prior to Senior Director interviews

Summary: The Medical Operations Director leads the teams responsible for operational support of the animal care departmentsat Best Friends’ Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah. The directorleads efficient cross-department operational units, with a primary focus on the provision of veterinary services to the animals in Best Friends’ care, priority clients, and in service of no-kill objectives throughout the region. 

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.

• Partner with animal care leadership in developing the most efficient means of providing a mix of department support, including both shelter medicine, long-term patient care and general operational assistance, for the animals in the Sanctuary’s care with a focus on lifesaving objectives necessary to achieve no-kill 2025.

• Partner with Sanctuary Experience Leadership to support temporary operating needs across the Animal Care and Sanctuary Visitor teams.

• Partner with Animal Care leadership and the Volunteer dept to deliver the foster and animal transport needs of Animal Care’s lifesaving work.

• Define lifesaving operationalobjectives as it relates to veterinary medicine in the context of no-kill 2025 goal, as well as any other quantitative and qualitative measures of success; lead the execution ofstrategies and programs to achieve those objectives, including complete program redesign when necessary to fulfill objectives; represent the vision as well as the strategies to achieve that vision to stakeholders. 

• 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; lead human resource matters in conjunction with the Human Resources regarding staff selection, management, development, and retention; oversee headcount controls and position creation or realignment; build individual capabilities and capacity through performance measurement, goal setting, coaching and mentorship.

• Oversee the veterinary services budget 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.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Solid leadership and management experience preferably in animal operations with a lifesaving focus5+ years of proven successful leadership experience, including overseeing animal sheltering or veterinary medicine operations. 5+ years of experience working for or with a humane organization preferred but not 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 situationsstrong 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 and Other Requirements

• Must be able to:

• Routinely lift 40 pounds and perform daily strenuous activity including, but not limited to lifting, carrying, reaching, stooping, squatting, cleaning, and bending.

• Work at a computer or driving a car for extended periods of time with repetitive typing, sitting, arm, and hand motion.

• Work indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions including extreme heat and cold.

• Daily exposure to dogs, cats and other animals of all sizes, temperaments, and medical status.

• Valid driver’s license with 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.

* During the selection process, candidates may be asked to participate in an onsite interview with a duration of 2-4 days