At Cascades Humane Society, our commitment goes beyond caring for animals; it extends to creating meaningful connections with the community we serve. The Executive Director plays a vital role in bridging the gap between Cascades Humane Society and the residents of Jackson, MI, fostering relationships built on compassion, respect, and shared values.The Executive Director serves as the agency spokesperson in the community, representing Cascades Humane Society in various forums and events. By actively engaging with local residents, the Executive Director promotes our mission of connecting animals in need with people who care, raising awareness about our programs, and encouraging community involvement.

Understanding and addressing the concerns of our community members is crucial to our success. The Executive Director actively listens to community feedback regarding animal welfare and agency issues, working collaboratively to find solutions and build trust. With the oversight of all agency departments and programs, the Executive Director ensures that Cascades Humane Society continues to evolve and adapt to the needs of the community. By monitoring the effectiveness of our existing programs and recommending changes when necessary, we aim to provide services that resonate with the residents of Jackson and meet the unique challenges of our community.

Job Description

This is a full-time, exempt salaried position with Cascades Human society that reports to the CHS Executive Board of Directors and has supervisory responsibility of the CHS Staff.

General Summary

Under the supervision of the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is responsible for the overall management of Cascades Humane Society in accordance with adopted policies and by-laws of the organization. The Executive Director directly supports the mission, goals, objectives, strategic plans, and development of CHS. Serves as agency spokesperson in the community.

Essential Functions

• Responsible for the development and oversight of all agency departments and programs. Monitor all existing programs for effectiveness and recommend changes. Ensures all animal care programs are administered humanely. Responsible for the oversight of day-to-day operations, facilities, and grounds.
• Oversees the hiring, supervising, evaluating, disciplining, training, development, and termination of all agency personnel. Ensures the implementation of personnel training programs that help staff accomplish their goals and maintain a working environment that attracts and retains quality people.
• Meets with management team and direct reports on a regular basis to review reports, procedures, and problems and discuss new strategies. Attends meetings of employees as necessary.
• Assists management with difficult situations and resolves problems of a unique or sensitive nature. Responds to community concerns regarding animal and agency issues.
• Responsible for direct report staff performance evaluations, initial 90-day period for new employees and annual thereafter. Responsible for the oversight of the overall organizations staff performance evaluations, new hire and annually.
• Administers fiscal management program including the preparation of the operating budgets, with Board approval. Oversees the authorized and proper expenditure of funds and ensures that all funds, physical assets and other property of the agency are appropriately safeguarded and administered. Oversees all agency accounts. Responsible for the security of all CHS files, legal and historical documents.
• Is responsible for the oversight of the organization’s fund raising and marketing programs. Fosters beneficial relationships with the general public, media, donors and potential donors. Is available to meet with potential donors to explain CHS’s mission, philosophy, and long-range plans. Provides opportunities for community support through volunteering and donations.
• Develops long-range plans and strategies with Board approval. Ensures that all policies, plans and programs are regularly reviewed and modified in an efficient manner. Stays abreast of current animal welfare issues as well as the changing needs of the community. Assures the shelter vision and mission are relevant and practiced throughout the organization.
• Meets regularly with the board of directors to present reports and apprise them of important issues, problems and new ideas. Assists the various committees with their specific assignments. Serves as liaison between the governing body and agency staff. Responsible for the Board meeting schedule and board packets for the meetings.
• Represents CHS as the chief spokesperson, acting as the primary contact for all media relations. Seeks out and maintains community contacts with government officials, agencies, civic groups, organizations, and the media. Attends pertinent workshops and seminars, maintains membership in professional organizations and networks with other executive directors.
• With the Board of Directors, develop and implement a Strategic Plan designed to accelerate the accomplishment of CHS’s mission and position the organization for long-term success and viability.
• Serve as liaison in CHS legal affairs. Supervise and directs vendors, contractors, and consultants to assure performance under their agreements with CHS in compliance with budget and other restraints imposed by the Board of Directors. Ensure that satisfactory relationships exist between CHS’s Counsel, Insurance Agents, Consultants, Accountants, Vendors and other (possible) contractors.

Additional Functions

• Research and apply for applicable grants.
• Complies with all CHS’s policies and procedures.
• Work a non-traditional schedule which may include evenings, weekends and/or holidays.
• Attends meetings, trainings, and conferences as requested. These may require travel and generally occur in Jackson and surrounding counties but travel within the State of Michigan may be necessary.
• Protects the agency through maintaining confidential records and information.
• Represents CHS in a positive, professional manner while attending community events, as required.

NOTE: The lists of essential and additional functions are not exhaustive. They may be supplemented as necessary from time to time.

Job Specifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

Have a passion and love for shelter animal care and management.

• Sincere interest in and knowledge of animal rights issues and of animal health care.
• Demonstrated knowledge of organizational and financial procedures for nonprofit agencies.
• A creative and dynamic approach to fundraising opportunities.
• Demonstrated skills in human resource management and strong leadership abilities.
• Responsible for the management and supervision of CHS employees, ability to promote teamwork and foster a team environment with emphasis on responsibility and accountability.
• Demonstrates risk management and knowledge of practices to protect the agency through maintaining confidential records and information.
• Must have demonstrated experience in fund development for a nonprofit organization, including annual funds, membership drives, planned giving and budget management.
• Able to research information, as needed, utilizing resources.
• Understands Policy and Procedure development process and significance in organizational compliance.
• Demonstrates excellent customer service with interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills in a non-judgmental and friendly demeanor.
• Excellent time management skills in a setting with potential frequent interruptions; ability to coordinate multiple concurrent projects and perform tasks in an organized and timely manner, with attention to detail.
• Professional in appearance and demeanor, telephone, and interpersonal communications.
• Establish and maintain professional working relationships with the CHS Board, staff, customers and community partners.
• Proficient in computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), Intranet and Internet applications.
• Experience using office equipment, including cellular telephone; desktop telephone/voicemail; copier, fax machine, scanner, printer, computer, and calculator.

Required Education/Certification/Licensure

• Bachelor’s degree in business management/leadership or similar degree, required.
• Must have a minimum of five years’ experience working in an animal shelter, animal rights or wildlife rehabilitation center setting.
• At least two years’ administrative or supervisory experience.
• Must have reliable transportation*

*CHS vehicles are provided to employees for the purpose of transporting animals; employees must possess a valid MI motor vehicle operator’s license and verification of an acceptable driving record. Personal vehicles may be used for company business when drivers meet the following; valid MI motor vehicle operator’s license and proof of personal vehicle insurance in accordance to guideline.

Preferred Education/Certification/Licensure

Master’s degree in related field, preferred.

Physical Requirements/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 regularly required to sit, stand, bend, reach with hands and arms, to use hands and fingers to handle, or feel; to talk and hear; and frequently required to walk and move about the facility. The employee is occasionally required to; stoop, kneel, and/or crouch. The employee may lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Must be able to view records, documents, environmental conditions and external factors. Work is performed in an office environment and with usual office equipment including computers, copiers, and fax machines. Must be able to work with many types of animals and provide day-to-day care. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet but may be filled with noise from animals. May involve travel to other locations/agencies/meetings. May require evening, weekend, holiday hours.

Disclaimer

The above information in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. The job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $51,933.53 - $62,543.61 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Ability to Relocate:

• Jackson, MI 49202: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person