Senior Manager, Care & Enrichment

About the role

The Senior Manager, Care & Enrichment is an integral member of the operations leadership team at the ASPCA’s Behavioral Rehabilitation Center (BRC) in Weaverville, NC. The BRC is the first and only facility dedicated to the rehabilitation of extremely fearful, under-socialized dogs, such as those confiscated from puppy mills and hoarding situations. This role facilitates deep engagement in the mission of the ASPCA by overseeing daily operations and providing supervision, coaching, and developmental support for a team of Care & Enrichment Technicians. The ideal candidate values collaboration across teams and strives to create and maintain a positive work culture where animals benefit from harmonious information and idea exchange across shelter operations, shelter medicine, and animal behavior.

The Care and Enrichment team is responsible for providing all daily care and enrichment of the animals housed at the BRC, ensuring smooth and efficient animal care operations. The team uses low-stress handling and husbandry techniques to ensure safe, clean, and comfortable housing, including transport housing, and access to enriching experiences. The team closely monitors the population for signs of medical and behavioral change, communicating across teams in a timely manner. This position reports to the Senior Director, Operations and has 8 direct reports.

Responsibilities

• Shelter Operations & Program Management
  • Collaborate with Medical and Behavioral leadership to evaluate shelter population needs and ensure animal welfare goals are met.
  • Oversee Care & Enrichment monitoring systems to support the medical and behavioral health of all animals.
  • Ensure consistent adherence to daily care protocols, including nutrition, sanitation, infectious disease prevention, and behavioral care.
  • Maintain a safe, compassionate environment for animals, staff, and volunteers through the consistent use of low-stress handling techniques.
  • Support medical and behavioral treatment sessions as needed.
  • Lead the development, maintenance, and annual review of daily care and enrichment SOPs, ensuring alignment across teams and a cohesive, center-wide approach.
  • Collaborate closely with Medical and Behavioral teams to ensure clear communication and consistent, efficient care across departments.
  • Partner with Senior Managers to define appropriate volunteer roles and expectations; provide guidance and supervision while fostering a culture of respect and appreciation.
  • Oversee the collection of sheltering data to support animal placement in foster and adoptive homes.
  • Coordinate cross-team animal movement into, through, and out of the shelter to ensure a seamless, low-stress process.
  • Contribute to annual budget planning by identifying operational and programmatic needs.
  • Collaborate with ASPCA departments to ensure alignment in operational practices and standards.
• Management & Leadership
  • Manage a team of 2 Lead Care & Enrichment Technicians and 6 Care & Enrichment Technicians by communicating clear expectations, providing learning and development opportunities, and building positive, trusting relationships.
  • Support direct reports through regular feedback conversations, career discussions, annual performance evaluations, and ongoing check-ins.
  • Manage Temporary Care & Enrichment Assistants, visiting ASPCA staff, and Responders, ensuring effective onboarding, integration, and support.
  • Conduct weekly one-on-one meetings with direct reports to provide coaching, support professional development, address interpersonal challenges, and ensure alignment with goals.
  • Lead care workforce planning and scheduling, including hiring, onboarding, retention, and daily deployment of Care & Enrichment Technicians.
  • Oversee staff schedules, time-off requests, and hour tracking to maintain operational effectiveness and continuity of care.
  • Ensure all team members are trained and competent in low-stress animal handling techniques.
  • Develop and monitor team goals, key performance indicators, and quality standards to support organizational objectives.
  • Identify and address conflict and performance issues promptly, providing clear expectations, constructive feedback, and documented follow-up.
  • Plan and deliver regular training sessions and refresher courses for team members.
  • Promote staff engagement and well-being by supporting a healthy, sustainable work-life balance.
  • Serve as a key member of the leadership team, collaborating across departments to drive operational excellence and achieve organizational goals.
  • Contribute to annual strategic planning in partnership with the Senior Director, Operations.
  • Address conflicts and concerns promptly, ensuring conversations are constructive, respectful, and solution-oriented.
• Program Management & Administrative
  • Oversee the BRC’s comprehensive Enrichment Program, ensuring all Operations staff are trained on the purpose, value, and implementation of daily enrichment activities.
  • Maintain Enrichment Program compliance, monitor inventory and supply needs, and support the delivery of diverse enrichment experiences (cognitive, sensory, foraging, and social).
  • Develop and maintain a streamlined responder onboarding process, ensuring incoming Responders are appropriately trained and prepared for daily care responsibilities.
  • Manage the ordering, tracking, and distribution of animal care, enrichment, and facility supplies, ensuring resources are available while maintaining budget stewardship.
  • Attend daily shelter rounds to monitor operations, address emerging needs, and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
  • Coordinate with cross-functional teams and programs visiting the BRC, including Learning Lab, Relocation, ASPCA Pro, and Media & Communications.
  • Participate in staff meetings, training classes, continuing education opportunities, and other required ASPCA events and professional development.
  • Maintain financial accountability, including managing an ASPCA credit card, tracking expenses, and submitting timely, accurate reports.
  • Perform other duties as assigned by the Senior Director of Operations.

Requirements

• Valid driver’s license and ability to pass a motor vehicle history check demonstrating a safe driving history.
• Comfortable and professional working in environments where humane euthanasia procedures are performed, maintaining compassion, emotional resilience, and respect for animal welfare standards.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, including coaching, collaboration, and adapting to support diverse individuals.
• Proactive, resilient problem-solver who takes initiative, adapts to change, and maintains effectiveness in challenging situations.
• Demonstrates integrity, transparency, and ethical decision-making; able to navigate difficult conversations with professionalism and empathy.
• Physically capable of lifting (50 lbs unassisted, 100 lbs assisted) and working in demanding environments requiring extended standing, mobility, and exposure to noise, hazards, and protective equipment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams) required; experience with shelter management software, Salesforce, or related software preferred.
• Work may involve exposure to chemical and biological hazards such as medications, cleaning products, urine, feces, blood, and sharp objects.
• Ability to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment, including disposable coveralls, respirators or face masks, and booties.
• Ability to exemplify ASPCA’s core values and behavioral competencies.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent experience required.
• Minimum of 2 years of people management experience required; 3 or more years strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 1 year of professional or volunteer experience in animal shelters required.
• 2 years of professional or volunteer experience performing direct care work with animals strongly preferred.
• Professional experience handling and working with dogs is preferred.

Schedule

This is an in-person position based at the Behavior Rehabilitation Center in Weaverville, NC. Availability to work regularly 5 days per week, including one weekend day, is required (typically Tuesday through Saturday). The role requires a flexible schedule when operationally needed, including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays. Schedules are subject to change as needed by the ASPCA.

This position requires the ability and willingness to travel up to 20% of the time, including at least once per quarter to transport animals or deploy to provide support in the field or temporary shelter environments.

Pay

Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on factors such as education, training, experience, location, business needs, internal equity, market demands, or budgeted amount for the role. The target hiring range for this role is $73,000 - $77,000 annually. 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 time, paid personal time, sick time, bereavement time, paid parental leave, and 10 company-paid holidays.
• Competitive financial incentives and retirement savings, including a 401(k) plan with dollar-for-dollar employer match up to 4% and an additional 4% contribution toward retirement each year.
• Robust professional development opportunities, including classes, on-the-job training, coaching, mentorship, internal mobility, and opportunities to support fieldwork.