Assistant General Manager

Location: South Portland, ME

Reports To: General Manager

Employment Type: Full-Time, including weekends

Starting Pay: $22-24 per hour, commensurate with experience

About The Bark Yard

The Bark Yard is Maine’s go-to enrichment-based doggy daycare, boarding, and training facility. We’re dedicated to a fear-free, force-free approach where dogs thrive physically, mentally, and emotionally.

We deliver exceptional experiences for our canine guests, their families, and our team — while building a workplace culture where people feel supported, valued, and inspired.

The Role

We’re looking for a hands-on Assistant General Manager to keep our busy facility running smoothly every single day. This role blends leadership, staff management, and operational know-how with a love for dogs and the people who care for them.

You’ll oversee the daily flow of daycare, boarding, and enrichment services; support our amazing staff; ensure every dog is safe, happy, and cared for; and help maintain our reputation for excellent customer service.

If you’re an organized, detail orientated, proactive leader who thrives in a high-energy environment — and you love working in a place where you might hold a team meeting one minute and toss a tennis ball to a dog the next — this might be your dream job.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Culture

• Work closely with the GM to ensure operations run smoothly and team members have what they need to succeed, stepping in for the GM as needed.
• Lead by example — be approachable, positive, and ready to pitch in where needed.
• Be the communication bridge between staff and the GM, ensuring clarity and trust.
• Lead by example with a positive, solutions-focused approach.
• Coach and mentor department leads and shift leads to grow leadership capacity, conducting team check ins.
• Partner with the GM in fostering a supportive, collaborative, and fun workplace culture where people enjoy their jobs and dogs love their time here.

Daily Operations

• Oversee daycare, boarding, and enrichment services to ensure high standards of safety, care, and efficiency.
• Build and manage staff schedules to meet operational needs while staying within budget, assist with scheduling coverage when staff call out or shifts go unfilled.
• Monitor performance metrics and work with leadership to identify areas for process improvement and help implement practical solutions.
• Support GM to track and analyze operational KPIs; recommend improvements to achieve financial and service goals.
• Execute new initiatives and process improvements in alignment with GM direction.

Client & Employee Experience

• Maintain consistently excellent customer service — solving problems quickly and ensuring clients feel heard and cared for. (Bella w/guest experience and front desk?)
• Support department leads and shift leads in meeting pet care and service standards.
• Encourage open communication across all departments.
• Temporarily take over interviewing of new applicants, setting up shadow interviews, and scheduling training for new hires.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing development of team members in collaboration with future HR.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree or equivalent work experience; 2 years management experience in pet care or hospitality or related field required.
• Proven track record overseeing multiple departments, managing people and teams, managing staffing, and operational processes in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and follow-through.
• Problem-solving mindset with a calm, steady approach under pressure, and strong decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication skills — written, verbal, and interpersonal.
• Conflict resolution experience.
• Commitment to learning and professional growth.

Skills & Attributes

• Positive, motivating leadership style with experience in leadership position.
• Adaptable and resourceful when plans change.
• Passion for dogs, people, and building great workplace culture.
• Able to balance big-picture planning with small details.

Compensation & Benefits

• $22/hour starting pay, commensurate with experience.
• PTO, health insurance, and currently unmatched 401(k).
• Employee discounts on daycare, boarding, and training services.
• Free snacks, drinks, and occasional puppy kisses during shifts.
• Opportunities for professional development and advancement.
• A supportive, inclusive workplace culture.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $22,000.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Tuition reimbursement

Work Location: In person

Salary : $22 - $24