Senior Manager: Behaviour and Population Management

Ottawa Humane Society; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 102,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ottawa Humane Society seeks a strategic Senior Manager to lead Behaviour and Population Management, combining animal welfare science with population analytics and people leadership. You will shape programs, teams, and budgets to improve welfare outcomes.

Based in Ottawa, this full-time, in-person role starts January 2027 and requires collaboration across departments, strong communication, and a track record of managing complex behavioural programs in humane settings.

Qualifications

• Degree or diploma in animal behaviour, animal science, animal welfare, veterinary technology, zoology, psychology, or a related discipline
• A recognized professional certification in animal behaviour, training, or a related field is preferred
• Minimum of four years of progressively responsible experience in animal behaviour, preferably in a humane society or shelter
• Minimum of six years staff management experience
• Full professional proficiency in spoken and written English is required

Responsibilities

• Research, develop, implement, manage, monitor, and evaluate all aspects of Intervention Services, Foster, and Animal Population programs
• Determine short- and long-term tactics and strategies to achieve department goals
• Lead and support managers, supervisors, and coordinators in their areas
• Provide statistical analysis of programs and trends to inform decisions
• Develop and maintain relationships with partners and stakeholders to achieve goals
• Ensure adherence to SOPs and departmental budgets
• Provide training and supervision for staff and volunteers
• Ensure compliance with health and safety policies and legal requirements

Skills

Applied animal behaviour

Behaviour assessment

Team leadership

Welfare-focused decisions

Education

Post-secondary degree/diploma in animal sciences

Certification in animal behaviour

Job description

Senior Manager: Behaviour and Population Management

Intervention Services - Management Full Time Senior Manager Ottawa, ON, CA

Salary Range: $101,995.00 To $114,864.00 Annually

The Ottawa Humane Society (OHS) is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to grow and lead our Behaviour and Population Management function. This newly created role combines deep technical expertise in animal behaviour, animal welfare, and shelter population management with strong people leadership. The successful candidate will build and lead programs, teams, and strategies that support positive animal welfare outcomes while balancing the complex operational demands of a animal welfare organization.
This is a full-time, in-person position based in Ottawa, with an anticipated start date of January 2027.

JOB PURPOSE

The Senior Manager: Behaviour and Population Management leads the behaviour strategy and performance, foster programming, and animal population management from intake through outcome, ensuring evidence-informed behavioural care, effective use of foster and placement pathways, and timely, welfare-centered decisions.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Research, develop, implement, manage, monitor, and evaluate all aspects of OHS Intervention Services, Foster, and Animal Population programs and services


• Determine short- and long-term tactics and strategies to achieve department and organizational strategic goals


• Guide and support manager, supervisor, and coordinator leads in functional areas of responsibility


• Assess, monitor and evaluate functional areas, including formally reporting on and providing statistical analysis of programs and trends


• Lead cross department collaboration with other OHS programs and departments to ensure successful delivery of functional areas


• Develop and maintain excellent relationships with OHS partners and stakeholders to achieve department goals


• Be aware and make use of community resources


• Maintain a comprehensive knowledge of best practices and trends in social, environmental and cultural issues relating to animal care and welfare and behavioural and educational programming


• Develop, implement, evaluate and ensure adherence to standard operating procedures within assigned functional areas


• Develop, manage, and ensure adherence to department program budgets


• Provide advice and assistance to other managers, directors, CEO, and OHS Board and committees as required


• Manage and coordinate department resources


• Be thoroughly familiar with and ensure adherence to pertinent legislation, regulations, contracts, guidelines, OHS mission, policies, procedures, plans and collective agreement


• Prepare and deliver written and verbal presentations including media appearances


• Produce and maintain accurate reports, records, and files


• Manage department administrative files and human resources documents and files


• Participate in supervision, evaluation, training, and other meetings as required


• Lead and manage department staff and volunteers including orientation, training, performance management, and daily supervision


• Provide training, orientation and supervision for students and work placements as required


• Hire, fire and discipline staff in consultation with Director: Operations and People and Culture


• Be familiar with and ensure compliance with all health and safety policies and procedures


• Participate in the identification and evaluation of OHS program goals and objectives


• Participate in professional development opportunities


• Participate in public relations and promotional activities as required


• May be required to assume some of the responsibilities of the Director: Operations

QUALIFICATIONS

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in animal behaviour, animal science, animal welfare, veterinary technology, zoology, psychology, or a related discipline


• A recognized professional certification in animal behaviour, training, or a related field is preferred


• Demonstrated technical expertise in applied animal behaviour, including behavioural assessment, behaviour modification, enrichment, welfare-centred decision-making, and the application of evidence-informed practices to improve animal outcomes.


• A minimum of four years of progressively responsible experience in animal behaviour, preferably in a humane society, animal shelter, or other animal welfare setting, including experience managing complex behavioural cases and applying behavioural expertise to program development and animal placement decisions


• Minimum of six years staff management experience


• Full professional proficiency in spoken and written English is required

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHSYICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Employee may be required to work occasional evening, holiday and weekend shifts


• Employee will be required to be available to respond to after-hours emergencies as needed


• Employment is conditional upon the ability to provide services in a safe manner, including, but not limited to, lifts and transfers of large animals and interaction with potentially aggressive animals


• Employment is conditional upon having and maintaining a valid driver's license


• Employment is conditional upon maintaining confidentiality of OHS information


• Employment is conditional upon the ability to work around all species of animals safely