Associate Executive Director - Operations

Associate Executive Director of Operations

Position Summary

The Associate Executive Director of Operations (AEDO) is a key member of the executive leadership team, reporting directly to the Executive Director(s), and is responsible for creating an exceptional human experience for the people who make our mission possible. 

This position provides leadership and oversight for Human Resources, Finance, Volunteer Services, and Facilities, ensuring that the organization's people, systems, and physical environment are aligned to support the mission.

At its heart, this role is about supporting the care and feeding of the people doing the care and feeding; the staff and volunteers who provide compassionate care to animals and serve our community every day.

The AEDO ensures that employees and volunteers feel welcomed, valued, equipped, supported, connected, and inspired to make a lifesaving impact.

This leader brings together people-centered leadership and strong operational systems to create an organization where people and animals can thrive together. 

The AEDO recognizes that the way we care for our people directly impacts the way they are able to care for animals and the community.

Primary Purpose

The primary purpose of the Associate Executive Director of Operations is to oversee and strengthen the organization's human experience.

The AEDO is responsible for ensuring that staff and volunteers have what they need to:

• Do meaningful and effective work.
• Feel valued, respected, and appreciated.
• Develop professionally and personally.
• Understand how their work contributes to the mission.
• Have the tools, training, resources, and support necessary to succeed.
• Build strong relationships with colleagues and the organization.
• Experience a workplace culture grounded in compassion, accountability, inclusion, and respect.
• Stay connected to the organization's mission and purpose.

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Supervisory Responsibilities

The Associate Executive Director of Operations directly oversees:

• Human Resources
• Finance
• Volunteer Services
• Facilities

This position provides leadership, coaching, accountability, and strategic direction to the directors and managers responsible for these areas.

The AEDO should not simply be a supervisor of these departments, but a connector between them, recognizing that HR, finance, facilities, and volunteer services all contribute to the overall experience of the people who work and volunteer for the organization.

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Key Areas of Accountability

Success in this position will be measured by the organization's ability to create an environment where people can do their best work.

Key measures include:

• Employee retention and turnover.
• Employee engagement and satisfaction.
• Volunteer retention and engagement.
• New employee and volunteer onboarding experience.
• Staff development and training participation.
• Internal promotion and professional development.
• Effectiveness of performance management.
• Organizational culture and workplace climate.
• Staff and volunteer recognition and appreciation.
• Effectiveness of HR and operational systems.
• Financial stewardship and accountability.
• Facility safety and functionality.
• Cross-department collaboration.
• Employee and volunteer feedback.
• Overall organizational health.

Qualifications Required

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, Nonprofit Management, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Significant progressive leadership experience in Human Resources, operations, organizational development, nonprofit management, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience supervising and developing managers and cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated experience with employee recruitment, onboarding, training, development, performance management, and retention.
• 3+ years of experience developing and implementing HR policies, procedures, and organizational systems.
• Experience and understanding of financial management in the non-profit sector.
• Experience working with or overseeing volunteer programs.
• Strong understanding of workplace culture and employee engagement.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining a strategic perspective.
• Demonstrated ability to build trust and strong working relationships.
• Commitment to confidentiality, professionalism, fairness, and ethical leadership.

Preferred

• 3+ years of experience working in a nonprofit or mission-driven organization.
• Experience in animal welfare or another human-services organization.
• HR certification or advanced degree.
• 3+ years of experience leading organizational culture initiatives.
• 3+ years of experience developing leadership or professional development programs.
• 3+ years of experience working in organizations with a combination of paid staff and volunteers.

*Resume and Cover Letter - Required