Location: Bentonville, AR (onsite)

Hiring Range: This position is anticipated to start between $70,149 to $94,000 annually, depending on experience.

Summary: The Senior Manager of Lifesaving Programs leads the daily operational expression of Best Friends Animal Society’s mission and vision. Responsible for working with leadership to develop, prioritize and implement local program strategy, Best Friends’ Senior Managers of Lifesaving Programs oversee location-based facilities, programs, and people. They serve as the operational 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.

Essential Duties/ 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.

Leadership & Lifesaving

• 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 lifesaving goals as well as any other quantitative and qualitative measures of success; lead the execution strategies and programs to achieve those lifesaving goals through general management of all lifesaving 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 vision

• 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. 

Skills and Experience:

• Solid leadership and management experience preferably in animal operations with a lifesaving focus; 5+ years of management or leadership experience, including overseeing, budgets, and staff; 5+ 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. 
• 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 situations; strong 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 Requirements

Must be able to:    

• 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.