The Executive Director of Animal Place has overall strategic and operational responsibility for
Animal Place’s staff, programs, expansion, and execution of the organization’s mission.
An ideal candidate will be a seasoned, effective and compassionate leader, who is passionate about
the mission of Animal Place, is an effective, respectful, and fair manager of our staff,
understands how to inspire through clear communication, and possesses high emotional intelligence.
Successful candidates will have demonstrated leadership experience in the animal rights,
protection, sanctuary, or shelter sectors.
Governance and Operations
● Develop and implement strategies to fulfill Animal Place’s mission and ensure compliance with all
internal policies.
● Lead Animal Place in a manner that supports and guides the organization’s mission as defined by
the Board of Directors.
● Ensure that Animal Place meets the highest standards in stewarding its financial and other
resources.
● Provide inspirational and motivational leadership for this organization,which is made up of
passionate and committed staff
● Advance and embed Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) into Animal Place’s culture and all
organizational structures and activities
● Support engagement and fundraising efforts across the organization.
Financial Performance and Fundraising
● Protect the fiscal integrity of Animal Place, including assuring that Animal Place operates
within the annual budget approved by the Board, maintain a positive financial position for the
organization, take proactive and quick response measures against financial challenges as they
arise, and ensure Animal Place’s long-term financial health to support its mission.
● Develop and execute long-term fundraising goals and plans, including vision for donor relations,
to ensure long term financial health.
● Work with staff and the Board to ensure compliance with all California and federal
nonprofit-related laws, including tax, business, and employment laws.
Mission and Strategy
● Fully comprehend and always respect Animal Place’s mission.
● Lead the Animal Place team to fulfill our organizational mission through first-rate animal care,
educational programs, community outreach, and strategic planning.
● Provide full oversight and direction of animal care, programs, campaigns, and communications.
● Be active and visible in the community and work closely with other sanctuaries, civic, and
private organizations to enhance the image of Animal Place and its mission.
● Serve as the primary spokesperson with staff, volunteers, supporters, the media, and the public.
● Externally, serve as a thought leader in the field, engaging with leading thinkers and
contributing to the dialogue on best practices for farmed animal sanctuaries and veganism.
Board Relations
● Collaborate and partner closely with the Board to deliver on organizational goals and priorities.
● In coordination with the Board President, lead the reporting and activities of the Board of
Directors.
● Provide relevant and timely updates and information to the Board.
● Establish relationships with and steward members of the Board to contribute their skills,
expertise and knowledge to benefit Animal Place’s work.
People Management
● Oversee the team, including development, animal care, office, operations, and program staff.
● Oversee the hiring and retention of staff as approved in the annual budget.
● Provide leadership and professional development opportunities to staff.
Personal Characteristics
● Is an inclusive, and purpose-driven leader who authentically and effectively models and advances
Animal Place’s mission and values.
● Is humble, passionate, and a person of integrity, who inspires trust.
● Is an open-minded listener who seeks and values a range of viewpoints but is also comfortable
making a final decision.
● Possesses a high level of emotional intelligence and flexible, intuitive relationship management
skills.
● Possesses solid knowledge of, and has demonstrated their heart for the animal rights/welfare,
shelter, and sanctuary sector.
● Has the ability to easily convey Animal Place’s successes and opportunities with passion and
intensity in both formal and informal situations.
● Offers strong management of conflict and conflicting views and has the ability to be clear
minded in a state of ambiguity.
● Is an authentic, honest, and ethical person as evidenced by how they live day to day, treat
others, and operate in the animal rights, protection, sanctuary, or shelter realm.
● Is patient, persistent, and resilient: can hold onto a vision or desired outcome regardless of
obstacles, coupled with the ability to change tactics and approaches, when necessary.
QUALIFICATIONS
● Knowledge of and experience in the animal rights or protection field, preferably within a
sanctuary or shelter setting.
● A minimum of five years leadership and management experience.
● Can set and achieve strategic objectives, and manage a budget.
● Has superior management skills in human resources, staff and volunteer management and
development, and is an effective team builder, with a strong commitment to collaborative and
team-oriented management.
● Has strong written and verbal communications skills.
● Experience and proven success raising significant funds, in particular, a track record of cultivating
and stewarding major donors and foundations.
● Experience developing and/or implementing strategic plans.
● Experience with qualitative and quantitative data collections to assess and evaluate the success
of programs and campaigns.
● Experience in program development and management and ability to adapt programs to reflect
social and political needs.
● Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google applications.
● A deep understanding of and passion for Animal Place’s mission and values, and experience
working in a non-profit setting with a mission-driven staff.
● Experience working in partnership with, and being accountable to, an engaged Board of
Directors.
● A highly consultative and collaborative approach to leadership, including exceptional listening
skills and a focus on creative solutions.
PREREQUISITES FOR EMPLOYMENT
● Previous experience at a farmed animal sanctuary or animal shelter preferred.
● Pass a criminal background check.
● Fully vaccinated against Covid 19 with subsequent boosters.
● Ability to work with a diverse workforce.
● Vegan/plant based lifestyle.
BENEFITS
Salary: Depending upon experience, the range is $125,000-$175,000
Paid Time Off: Vacation, holidays, and sick time
Medical: Health insurance with no deductible, available after 90 days.
403B: After one year of employment, Animal Place matches up to 3% of salary