Senior Manager, Best Friends Advisory Consultant - LAAS

Location: Los Angeles, CA region - LAAS shelter system

About the Role

Best Friends Animal Society is seeking a Senior Manager, Advisory Consultant- LAAS to serve as an on-site strategic advisor within Los Angeles Animal Services (LAAS). This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of one of the nation's largest municipal shelter systems while advancing lifesaving outcomes for thousands of animals.

This position is a leadership and management role within Best Friends Animal Society, where the Senior Manager acts as a consultant to advise prioritized, lifesaving efforts for LAAS. The role involves working collaboratively with LAAS leadership to implement a three-year strategic partnership between Los Angeles Animal Services, Best Friends Animal Society, and the ASPCA. The emphasis will be on implementing and training core shelter best practices across the six LAAS shelter locations, creating systemic change, and achieving safety, efficiency, and lifesaving impact for shelter workers and animals.

This is a limited-duration position lasting no more than 3 years from the start date. The role will spend 95% of the time working onsite at one or more of the six LAAS locations, with 5% remote or reporting to the West Los Angeles Best Friends adoption center.

Responsibilities

• Work onsite at all six LAAS shelters on rotation for approximately 3 years, collaborating with LAAS to create systemic change and achieve project goals.
• Provide direct consultation on shelter and field lifesaving operations; plan, implement, facilitate, engage, monitor, and evaluate all lifesaving programming.
• Continuously evaluate and monitor proven strategies and continuing education to attain organizational goals and achieve no-kill by the scheduled deadline.
• Implement, communicate, and advise on the operations plan with specific metrics and goals for Best Friends and LAAS, defining success by timestamps and interim milestones.
• Create and act on written recommendations to address gaps in programs, partner organizations, and city shelters, collaborating with external stakeholders to achieve no-kill by 2025 or sooner.
• Work within the operations and LAAS budgets to facilitate resources appropriately and achieve goals within LAAS constraints.
• Identify areas needing additional support and coordinate with Best Friends staff to ensure project success and sustainability.
• Manage communication within LAAS and with stakeholders, ensuring regular updates and training for staff and volunteers.
• Assist in creating, updating, and implementing standard operating procedures in compliance with laws and ordinances for all LAAS locations, including performance management oversight for Best Friends staff and volunteers.
• Oversee data collection for KPIs and shelter programs, updating HERO and KPIs accordingly.
• Build relationships within LAAS and the broader LA community to improve shelter awareness, grow partnerships, and increase brand exposure for Best Friends.
• Establish and track key quantitative and qualitative success metrics, ensuring alignment with mission impact and organizational priorities.
• Manage day-to-day work and integration of Best Friends advisors, volunteers, and mentors working at LAAS.
• Generate ideas and content for animal welfare thought leadership, including PR, blogs, and social media.
• Provide thought leadership, strategy, and tactical guidance to maximize value toward Best Friends' LAAS shared plan and goals.
• Execute key relationship-building with community partners, city officials, and stakeholders to grow strategic partnerships.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 3 years of director-level or higher animal shelter leadership and management experience, including overseeing large-scale strategy, operations, budgeting, and staffing.
• Experience preferably includes oversight of high intake and multiple locations and/or facilities within a municipal shelter system.
• Familiarity and knowledge of the Los Angeles Animal Services system is required.
• Previous experience working with unions within an animal shelter system is required.
• Strengths in utilizing statistical information to develop and implement strategic plans, including change management strategies.
• 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.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to act decisively in fast-paced situations; strong interpersonal skills and ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations.
• Excellent communication, public speaking, and presentation skills; experience supporting and developing relationships with volunteers and donors.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products; familiarity with shelter software/animal management software and Asana, or willingness to learn new systems.

Skills

• Team player with an upbeat, energetic, tactful, and diplomatic demeanor.
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Comfort learning new online information systems.

Physical Requirements

• Work at a computer for extended periods with repetitive typing, arm, and hand motion.
• Sit, stand, or walk for extended periods.
• Bend, stoop, reach, climb, twist, crawl, and lift up to 50 pounds.
• Work indoors and outdoors in various weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold.
• Ability to work in a shelter environment with cats and dogs, including organizations that are not yet no-kill.
• Exposure to and ability to safely and humanely engage with animals of all sizes, temperaments, and medical status.
• Ability to drive transports with animals; must have a valid driver's license and be eligible for Best Friends’ vehicle insurance.
• Ability and means to travel regularly to various locations on a flexible schedule.
• Daily hours and days of the week may vary; position includes weekends, nights, and holiday work.

Pay

This position’s hiring range is anticipated to be $100,000 to $120,000 annually, depending on experience, plus benefits.

Benefits

• Great benefits package.
• Annual premium.
• Monthly cell phone stipend.
• Relocation assistance may be available.