Location: Bentonville, AR

Hiring Range: This position’s hiring range is anticipated to be $85,000 to $95,000 annually, depending on experience, plus great benefits!

Interviews will occur starting June 10th and will continue until the position is filled.

Position Summary: The Senior Manager of Community Programs is a key leader responsible for the daily functions, efficient operations, and growth of community programs at our lifesaving centers and connecting the local community to Best Friends’ mission through local events. Responsible for working with leadership to develop, prioritize and implement community program strategy, Best Friends’ Senior Managers of Community Programs oversee events, volunteers and community focused programs, and people. They serve as the program leaders to achieve objectives and function with a high degree of autonomy.

Culture Statement and Responsibility: 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.

Key Responsibilities:

• Treat people around you as our most valuable resource by leading with Kindness and Compassion 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.

Strategy and Leadership

• 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’ mission and in achievement of its no-kill goals.
• Participate in the development of community program goals as well as any other quantitative and qualitative measures of success; lead the execution, strategies and programs to achieve those lifesaving goals through community support through general management of all community programs.
• Represent the vision, lead teams, and provide operational oversight to achieve objectives.
• Partner with directors to 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 with coalition partners, 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.

Operational productivity

• 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, equipment procurement and management of supplies, inventory, and 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. 

STANDARD SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, PHYSICAL & OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS ROLE

Required Skills and Experience:

• 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; 3+ years of experience working for or with a humane organization preferred but not required.
• 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.
• Bilingual or multi-lingual skills preferred but not required.
• 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.  

Physical & 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. 
• 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 U.S. 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 U.S. by Best Friends Animal Society.