EOE Statement
It is the policy of the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, Inc. to provide all persons with equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information, or any other factor protected by law.
Category
Administration
Description
Job Purpose:
The Chief Program Officer (CPO) is a senior executive leader within the Humane Society of Southern Arizona (HSSA) responsible for overseeing and advancing all aspects of our programs and services. The CPO plays a pivotal role in shaping and implementing the organization's mission-driven programs, high employee engagement, ensuring excellence in animal care, community engagement, and operational efficiency. This role collaborates closely with the CEO, the Board of Directors, and cross-functional teams to set strategic direction, manage programmatic budgets, drive innovation, and enhance the impact of HSSA's programs on the community and animals in our care.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Program Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership to HSSA's programs, aligning them with modern and innovated best practices to evolve the organization's mission, values, and strategic priorities
• Oversee a team of Program Directors and Managers, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Develop and implement program strategies that enhance the quality and impact of HSSA's services, including shelter operations, lifesaving programs, community outreach and pet resource programs.
• Ensure the humane and ethical treatment of animals in all aspects of HSSA's programs.

Program Development and Innovation

• Lead the development and implementation of innovative programs and services that address emerging needs in animal welfare and align with best practices.
• Evaluate existing programs for effectiveness and efficiency, making data-driven improvements, as necessary.
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous learning within the Programs department.

Budget and Resource Management

• Develop and manage $10M program budgets, allocating resources effectively to achieve programmatic and organizational goals.
• Collaborate with the Finance department to ensure responsible financial stewardship of program funds.
• Identify opportunities for revenue generation and resource diversification to support program growth and sustainability.
• Regularly assess program operations for efficiency and effectiveness, seeking opportunities to optimize processes and achieve program goals more efficiently.

Stakeholder Engagement

• In support of HSSA's vision, mission and values role models the following behaviors: 1) Integrity Without Compromise 2) Transparency 3) Accountability 4) Empathy 5) Humility 6) Builds Strong Teams and 7) a Teaching and Mentoring mindset.
• Cultivate strong relationships with employees, community partners, donors, community organizations, and other stakeholders to advance HSSA's mission and programs.
• Represent HSSA at external events, conferences, and forums to promote the organization's programs and initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Marketing and Development teams to communicate program achievements and impact to the community and donors.

Compliance and Reporting

• Ensure compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and standards related to animal care, program operations, and safety.
• Develop and maintain accurate and comprehensive programmatic reporting and performance metrics.
• Provide regular program updates to the CEO, Board of Directors, and other key stakeholders.

Other Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the CEO and other executives to shape the overall strategic direction of HSSA.
• Serve as a collaborative member of the senior leadership team, contributing to the overall success and growth of the organization.
• Exemplify organizational values, embodying and promoting them throughout program operations and interactions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements

Working Conditions:
Work is primarily conducted in an office environment at an animal shelter, with regular interaction with animals and shelter staff. Some travel and attendance at evening or weekend events may be required.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Directly supervise Program Directors and Managers within the Programs department, with responsibilities including hiring, training, performance evaluation, and staff development.
Performance Factors and Necessary Skills:

• Commitment to the highest standards of animal welfare and ethical treatment.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong leadership and management skills, including the ability to motivate and inspire teams.

High emotional intelligence.

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, with a results-oriented mindset.
• Adaptability and flexibility in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Qualifications/Educational Background:

• At least ten years of progressively responsible leadership experience in animal welfare or related fields.
• Demonstrated success in program development, management, and innovation.
• Experience with $10M budgetary and financial management.
• Knowledge of best practices in animal welfare and community engagement.
• Experience working with a diverse and multicultural community.
• A passion for HSSA's mission and a commitment to the humane treatment of animals.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in social work, animal science, or non-profit management
• Animal Welfare certifications from The Association of Animal Welfare Advancement, Southern Utah University, or other animal welfare professional development programs.
• Experience in public speaking and media communication, with a high level of comfort and training in these areas.
• Experienced in cultivating relationships with donors and funders, translating programmatic vision and impact to secure gifts for HSSA.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong interpersonal, listening, and communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Exceptional organizational and project management abilities.
• Proficiency in data analysis and program evaluation.
• Ability to lead and inspire teams, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation.
• Strategic thinking, change management, critical thinking skills, and problem-solving skills.
• Commitment to continuous learning and staying informed about industry trends and best practices in animal welfare.

Physical Requirements:
This position may involve occasional lifting and carrying of objects weighing up to twenty-five pounds. It may also require visits to various program locations, including animal care facilities, community outreach sites, and events.
This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions or qualifications associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change, for example, emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs, or technological breakdowns in departments.
The Humane Society of Southern Arizona provides equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information, or any other factor protected by law
Full-Time/Part-Time
Full-Time
Shift
-not applicable-
Compensation & Benefits
Hiring range: $105,000 - $140,000 plus a comprehensive benefit package including employer contributions to retirement plans (401K or Roth); medical, dental, vision and life insurance, access to voluntary supplemental, short and long-term disability insurance,and an Employee Assistance Plan (EAP).
Position
Chief Programs Officer
Close Date
Number of Openings
1
Exempt/Non-Exempt
Exempt
Hiring Manager(s)
Danielle Brady, Kristin Barney
Location
Humane Society of Southern AZ
About the Organization
The Humane Society of Southern Arizona (HSSA), founded in 1944, is a private, independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) animal welfare organization with the mission of acting with compassion and responsible stewardship through innovative programs that serve pets and the people who love them. HSSA is the largest charitable animal welfare and protection agency in Southern Arizona with 100 employees and 1300 volunteers. In 2018, HSSA moved into a new state-of the-art animal shelter and spay/neuter clinic.
Vision: A community in which all pets are cared for and loved
As staff of the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, we pledge to be committed to our team as we are to the organizations mission. We will foster a compassionate environment for each other, our volunteers, and the human and animal clients we serve; empowering one another with knowledge, empathy, encouragement and recognition. We aim to eliminate negativity, support positive and effective communication, promote individual and organizational growth, and work as a cohesive team at all times regardless of tenure, position or department.
HSSA values and and champions diversity and inclusion. these values are part of who we are. Together we will continue to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports and celebrates the diverse voices of our HSSA team and teh communities we serve.
This position is currently accepting applications.