Operations Manager

The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society; Barrie; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading animal welfare organization in Barrie, Ontario, seeks an Operations Manager to provide leadership across its Animal Centre and Veterinary Clinic. This role involves ensuring operational excellence, engaging the community, and managing staff development and animal care outcomes. Candidates should have strong leadership experience and a passion for animal welfare.

Benefits

Competitive compensation package including benefits

Paid sick time

3 weeks of vacation

Opportunities for professional development

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of progressive leadership experience in shelter, veterinary, or nonprofit operations.
• Proven success in multi-site or integrated service management.
• Demonstrated operational leadership with capacity for tactical execution and long-term planning.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all shelter and clinic operations.
• Ensure high-quality medical, behavioural, and welfare practices.
• Lead and develop multidisciplinary teams across animal care and clinic functions.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Financial Acumen

Interpersonal Skills

Education

Certificate or College Diploma in Business Management or related field

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Our Purpose

The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society is a registered charity and has been operating for 150 years. The Society provides care, comfort and compassion to animals in need in communities across Ontario; we value all animals and advocate to treat them with respect and kindness. We strive to keep pets and families together.

Our Values

Our core values include having compassion for the people and animals we serve. Being transparent with the individuals we interact with every day and the team members we work with. Each day striving for excellence in relation to animal welfare. Collaborating with one another to ensure a team spirit in caring for the animals. We take accountability for our actions and the impact we are making in pet-related care.

Why You Should Join Our Team?

• Be part of an energetic team environment with others who share your passion for animal wellbeing!
• Competitive compensation package including medical, dental and vision benefits
• Employee Family Assistance Program
• Paid sick time
• 3 weeks of vacation
• Opportunities for professional development and growth
• Generous discount on virtual pet care services
• Discount on Ontario SPCA Paws & Give merchandise

Position Summary

We are excited to introduce a new role for the Ontario SPCA.

Operations Manager provides integrated leadership across an Ontario SPCA Animal Centre and Veterinary Clinic. This impactful position ensures the seamless delivery of animal welfare and medical services. This role works also alongside a dedicated outreach team to ensure integrated community service programs. Reporting to the Provincial Operations Manager, the role is accountable for operational excellence, staff development, animal care outcomes, and client and volunteer engagement.

As a key local leader, the Manager aligns day-to-day operations with the organization’s provincial strategy—balancing compassionate care with operational efficiency, public engagement, and regulatory compliance. The Manager acts as both a strategic implementer and a people leader, fostering a culture that is rooted in our values and continuous improvement across shelter and clinic functions.

Essential Duties and Accountabilities

The following list represents the core essential duties and accountabilities of the Operations Manager role. Other duties may be assigned as required by the Society.

• Operational Leadership & Service Delivery - Oversee all shelter and clinic operations, ensuring alignment with organizational standards and strategic priorities.
• Animal Care & Medical Oversight - Ensure consistent, high-quality medical, behavioural, and welfare practices under the guidance of veterinarians, ABCs and RVTs.
• Financial & Resource Management - Develop, manage, and report on operational budgets, ensuring fiscal responsibility and sustainability.
• People Leadership & Culture - Lead, develop, and support multidisciplinary teams across animal care, clinic, and customer service functions.
• Community & Municipal Partnerships - Cultivate strong local relationships with municipalities, veterinary networks, businesses, and community partners.
• Client & Volunteer Engagement - Ensure exceptional service delivery, volunteer engagement, and community engagement in support of organizational objectives.
• Health, Safety & Compliance - Maintain adherence to all Ontario SPCA policies, Ministry of Labour, CVO, and other regulatory standards.
• Reporting & Continuous Improvement - Collect, analyze, and report data that informs operational decisions and advances system-wide performance.
• Business Development and Sustainability - Serve as the Ontario SPCA’s local ambassador, fostering community partnerships and supporting fundraising efforts to advance impactful, evidence-based programs.

Setting up For Success!

• Minimum 5-7 years of progressive leadership experience in shelter, veterinary, or nonprofit operations.
• Proven success in multi-site or integrated service management (e.g., animal care, clinic, or municipal contracts).
• Demonstrated operational leadership with the capacity to balance tactical execution and long-term planning.
• Financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and reporting.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication, including proposal and report writing.
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills across internal and external audiences.
• Demonstrated analytical ability to use data for decision-making and performance improvement.
• Excellent problem-solving, prioritization, and conflict resolution skills.
• Experience managing volunteers, multidisciplinary teams, and community partnerships.
• Familiarity with municipal contracting, compliance reporting, and funding deliverables.
• Prior experience working in a not-for-profit, animal welfare, or health service organization strongly preferred.

Education

• Certificate or College Diploma in Business Management, Animal Care, Veterinary Technology, or related education plus work experience required, Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Professional leadership, fundraising, or project management training considered an asset.

If you are Inspired by our Purpose and Align with our Values, We Can’t Wait to Meet You!

• Click Apply Now and upload your resume and cover letter.

We wish to thank all applicants for their interest in the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society embody a culture that embraces diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (“DEIB”) and welcomes applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds. Our DEIB practices foster a fair and consistent environment, enabling everyone to feel welcomed, supported and valued in the workplace.

The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society provides accommodation during all stages of the recruitment process. Should you require any accommodation, please advise us if you are contacted for an interview and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs. For any questions, suggestions or required documents regarding accessibility in a different format, please contact us at 888-668-7722.