Senior Director, Shelter Operations

About the Role

The Senior Director of Shelter Operations (SD, Shelter Operations) supports the ASPCA’s partnership work with Los Angeles City Animal Services (LAAS), working on-site at LAAS shelter locations. This role focuses on implementing a joint 3-year plan to improve shelter operations, enhance animal welfare, and achieve lifesaving goals through community engagement, pathway planning, and positive outcomes for animals. The position is part of a cross-functional team driving systemic change in collaboration with LAAS leadership and partner organizations.

Responsibilities

• Community-Specific Awareness
  • Collaborate with LAAS leadership to understand shelter and veterinary operations, including strengths and gaps, to support plan implementation.
  • Develop a comprehensive understanding of key partners, their missions, activities, and impact.
• Development and Implementation of Shelter Operations Support Plan
  • Serve in a leadership role within the Los Angeles city shelter community for approximately three years, driving systemic change aligned with ASPCA’s shelter partnership goals.
  • Provide expert assessment of implementation timelines and sequencing, ensuring alignment with priorities and feasibility.
  • Partner with LAAS leadership to advance the three-year plan and remove barriers to implementation.
  • Develop an operations support plan with clear metrics, success criteria, and interim milestone goals.
  • Identify program areas requiring additional support and coordinate resources to ensure long-term sustainability.
  • Act as a liaison between the ASPCA Spay/Neuter Clinic and LAAS to maximize veterinary intervention opportunities.
• Training
  • Provide shelter operations and animal welfare training support in alignment with LAAS needs and ASPCA policies.
  • Stay informed about existing ASPCA trainings and design/deliver relevant, streamlined training programs.
  • Support LAAS leadership in refining shelter Standard Operating Procedures to align with operational changes.
  • Collaborate with LAAS and partner leadership to build training schedules, track progress, and assess impact.
• Communications
  • Participate in regular meetings with LAAS leadership, providing agenda input based on plan status and priority projects.
  • Support project communications within ASPCA and participate in internal meetings regarding the Los Angeles Initiative.
  • Identify opportunities for ASPCA communications and development teams to showcase progress on local and national platforms.
  • Partner with the Communications division to develop and review messaging related to shelter operations and the joint 3-year plan.
  • Collaborate on emerging issues, public education campaigns, and high-visibility cases requiring coordinated external communication.
  • Serve as an occasional on-camera organizational spokesperson for media inquiries and public-facing communications.

Qualifications

• Solid understanding of people management, change leadership, program development, process improvement, and budget oversight.
• Highly motivated self-starter with the ability to provide strategic thought leadership and lead projects with limited guidance.
• Ability to develop and sustain productive relationships with diverse key contacts.
• Strong track record of leading through change and diplomatic communication with senior management.
• Excellent supervisory, team development, teaching, and coaching skills.
• Strong analytical skills and fluency with data, including managing large datasets, analysis, and visualization.
• Critical thinker, problem solver, and generator of new ideas with a strong sense of business opportunities and liabilities.
• Ability to work under pressure, adapt to changing circumstances, and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Strong sense of integrity, discretion, and ability to handle sensitive information confidentially.
• Demonstrated understanding of animal shelters, sheltering challenges, and trends in the animal welfare field.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and project management tools; ability to create presentations, visuals, and timely updates.
• Fluency in English (required).

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of experience leading shelter operations.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience designing and delivering trainings (virtual and in-person).
• Minimum of 3 years of experience using large datasets to inform shelter operations.

Schedule

This position is primarily onsite (90%) across the six Los Angeles city shelters, with approximately 10% remote work. Regular travel between shelters and the remote work location is required. The standard schedule is Monday through Friday, generally aligning with shelter operational hours, though adjustments may be needed based on shelter needs. This position is currently funded for 3 years.

Pay

The target hiring range for this role is $148,000 - $160,000. Starting pay depends on education, training, experience, location, business needs, internal equity, market demands, or budgeted amount. The maximum of the hiring range is reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience.

Benefits

• Affordable health coverage, including medical, employer-paid dental, and optional vision coverage.
• Flexible time off, including vacation, sick, bereavement, paid parental leave, 10 company-paid holidays, and personal time off.
• 401(k) plan with dollar-for-dollar employer match up to 4% and an additional 4% annual contribution.
• Robust professional development opportunities, including classes, on-the-job training, coaching, mentorship, and internal mobility.