Vice President of Operations

Job Title: Vice President of Operations Classification: Full time, salary, exempt, onsite Salary: $134,000-$150,000 Annually Job Relationship: Reports to President & CEO. Supervises Director of Shelter Operations, Director of Community Initiatives, Medical Director, Chief Humane Investigator, and Senior Manager of Facilities & IT. Position Summary The VP of Operations is a key member of the APL's executive leadership team and is responsible for providing strategic leadership, operational oversight, and organizational direction for shelter operations, humane law enforcement, veterinary services, community outreach programs, and the APL’s facility and IT needs. This position ensures the delivery of exceptional animal welfare, client service, regulatory and legal compliance, operational excellence, continuous organizational improvement, and supports the APL’s legislative advocacy efforts. Working collaboratively with the President & CEO and senior leadership team, the VP of Operations develops and implements strategies that advance the APL's mission, strategic priorities, and long-term sustainability while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and compassionate leadership. Essential Job Functions Strategic and Operation Leadership Provides executive leadership and oversight for all APL operations, ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare, client service, operational excellence, and organizational effectiveness. Leads the implementation of operational strategies that support the APL's strategic plan, mission, vision, and organizational priorities. Evaluates organizational performance, identifies opportunities for improvement, develops solutions, and implements changes that improve efficiency, effectiveness, and mission impact. Oversees the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of programs and services to meet evolving shelter and community needs and organizational goals. Collaborates with department directors to establish measurable annual goals, key performance indicators (KPIs), timelines, and accountability measures for each operational area. Reviews operational, financial, and program performance metrics to evaluate effectiveness, identify trends, and drive informed decision-making. Prepares organizational impact reports and operational summaries for the President & CEO and Board of Directors. Promotes a culture of continuous improvement by evaluating outcomes, encouraging innovation, and implementing best practices throughout the organization. Oversees the development, implementation, and ongoing review of standard operating procedures to ensure consistency, efficiency, and organizational compliance. Animal Care and Program Excellence Ensures the highest standards of animal care, handling, shelter medicine, disease prevention, enrichment, safety, and humane euthanasia are consistently maintained. Provides leadership to ensure all programs and services deliver exceptional care while advancing the APL's lifesaving mission. Partners with department leaders to evaluate program outcomes, improve operational effectiveness, and resolve challenges in a timely manner. Establishes systems to ensure the accuracy, integrity, and appropriate documentation of animal, medical, client, humane law enforcement, and program records. Ensures staff have access to and receive required training, certification, and continuing education opportunities, including euthanasia certification and Fear Free practices where applicable. Researches and evaluates emerging trends, innovations, and best practices in animal welfare and sheltering and leads implementation of appropriate improvements. Regulatory Compliance, Facilities, and Risk Management Ensures organizational compliance with OSHA, DEA, Ohio Board of Pharmacy, and all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and accreditation standards. Working in partnership with the Senior Manager of Facilities & IT, oversees facility operations, maintenance, capital improvements, security systems, and information technology to ensure organizational resources effectively support operational needs. Ensures preventive maintenance schedules, cleaning standards, workplace safety procedures, cybersecurity measures, and information security practices are maintained. Leads organizational preparedness and response to emergencies and operational disruptions while maintaining business continuity. Identifies operational risks and develops proactive strategies to minimize organizational, financial, legal, and reputational exposure. Leadership and Talent Development Provides leadership, coaching, mentoring, and support to department directors while fostering accountability, collaboration, professional development, and leadership growth. Recruits, hires, onboards, develops, and retains high-performing leaders and staff who support the organization's mission and values. Establishes clear performance expectations, provides regular coaching and feedback, completes timely performance evaluations, and addresses performance concerns in a constructive and consistent manner. Recognizes and rewards outstanding performance while promoting employee engagement and continuous learning. Recommends compensation adjustments for Operations team members consistent with organizational philosophy and performance. Delegates authority appropriately while maintaining accountability for organizational outcomes. Leads regular management meetings to communicate organizational priorities, operational initiatives, policy updates, and emerging issues. Provides leadership and guidance regarding employee relations matters and supports effective conflict resolution. Financial and Resource Management Provides strategic oversight of organizational resources to maximize operational efficiency and mission impact. Partners with the President & CEO and Finance Department to develop annual operating and capital budgets that support strategic priorities. Monitors departmental budgets and monthly financial performance, analyzes variances, develops corrective action plans, and recommends budget adjustments as appropriate. Approves expenditures within delegated authority and ensures responsible stewardship of organizational resources. Evaluates operational resource needs and collaborates with department leaders to improve productivity, efficiency, and service delivery. Serves as an authorized check signer. Community Relations and Organizational Leadership Serves as an ambassador for the APL by representing the organization with veterinarians, government agencies, vendors, community partners, donors, media, professional organizations, and the public. Backs up the President & CEO as a media spokesperson, especially for stories related to APL operations. Builds collaborative relationships that strengthen partnerships and advance the APL's mission and strategic initiatives. Maintains active involvement with regional and national animal welfare organizations to remain informed of legislative developments, emerging trends, and industry best practices. Supports fundraising efforts by promoting organizational programs, educating constituents, identifying opportunities for donor engagement, and assisting with relationship development. Partners with the Development Department to write grants for programs and identify funding needs for the major giving program. Responds decisively to situations that could negatively affect organizational operations, financial stability, reputation, or mission. Serves as Acting President & CEO in the absence of the President & CEO. General Expectations Must have an authentic passion for animals and their welfare. Demonstrates a leadership style that reflects integrity, accountability, professionalism, transparency, collaboration, and compassion. Models the organization's values and fosters a positive, respectful, and inclusive workplace culture. Communicates clearly, professionally, and consistently with employees, volunteers, senior leadership, the Board of Directors, and external stakeholders. Collaborates effectively with the executive leadership team to identify organizational challenges, develop strategic solutions, and achieve organizational goals. Maintains strict confidentiality while exercising sound judgment and discretion. Successfully manages multiple priorities, adapts to changing circumstances, and performs effectively in a fast-paced environment. Demonstrates flexibility to meet operational and organizational scheduling needs, including occasional evenings, weekends, or emergency response when necessary. Refers Board and media inquiries to the President & CEO unless otherwise authorized. Achieves Fear Free Certification within six months of hire if not already certified. Actively supports and advances the APL's commitment to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture grounded in compassion and respect for each other. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree strongly desired. Minimum of five years of executive leadership experience at a comparable animal shelter or animal welfare organization or eight or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience with demonstrated success in operations management, organizational leadership, strategic planning, personnel management, financial oversight, and program development, and the professional and leadership qualities required to step into an executive-level leadership position are required. Nonprofit leadership experience strongly preferred. Certification through the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement (AAWA) as an Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) is desirable. Valid Ohio driver's license with an insurable driving record. Knowledge And Skills Demonstrated leadership, organizational management, and strategic planning skills. Ability to think strategically while effectively managing day-to-day operational priorities. Strong financial management, budgeting, and resource allocation skills. Excellent analytical, critical thinking, and data-driven decision-making abilities. Exceptional leadership, coaching, mentoring, and team development skills. Proven ability to lead organizational change and continuous improvement initiatives. Outstanding project management, organizational, and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines. Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, presentation, and public speaking skills. Ability to build collaborative relationships with employees, volunteers, donors, community partners, government officials, and the public. Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 and the ability to quickly learn new technology platforms. Open to exploring the appropriate and safe use of AI to enhance productivity. High level of professionalism, integrity, sound judgment, discretion, and emotional intelligence. Demonstrated commitment to exceptional animal welfare, outstanding customer service, ethical leadership, and advancing the APL's mission of fostering compassion and ending animal suffering. Working Conditions The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit for long periods; use hands to manipulate, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls (i.e., PC, printer, copier, fax machine, telephone); reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Work is performed primarily indoors in an air-conditioned/heated office or in the shelter setting where there is exposure to animals, disinfectant solutions, zoonotic diseases, moderate to high noise levels, and possible animal bites and scratches when handling animals. Work is occasionally performed outside during events. This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related duties required by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” relationship. Our Core Values Compassion – We are compassion in action. We believe every animal and person has value and worth and should be treated with respect, empathy, and kindness to support the human-animal bond. Advocacy – We are the voice for animals, dedicated to lifesaving solutions that advance their quality of life, and promote their place in society. Leadership – We act with integrity, creativity, duty to community, and have the courage to change. These are driving forces that make us a leading animal welfare organization. Innovation – We are devoted to pioneering new approaches to the evolving challenges animals face by developing ethical, humane solutions and working in partnership with the public and animal welfare community. Community – We continually strive to be a diverse and inclusive team and believe we must all work together to best fulfill our vision. Vice President of Operations Leadership Opportunity.... Are You The Right Candidate? #J-18808-Ljbffr Cleveland Animal Protective League