Director of Lifesaving Operations & Team Impact

Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS); Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

401(k)

Paid holidays

PTO

Pet clinic benefits

EAP

Continuing education

Job summary

Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) in Philadelphia seeks a Director of Lifesaving Operations to lead all shelter lifesaving, adoption, foster and safety net programs. The role focuses on strategic rescue operations, compassionate care, and a data-driven approach to improve outcomes while shaping a positive, inclusive workplace culture.

The DLO will coordinate with PAWS’ medical team, manage budgets, and guide department managers to achieve weekly, monthly, and yearly targets in alignment

Qualifications

• At least five years’ management experience in shelter operations.
• Commitment to PAWS’ mission and core values.
• Strong leadership, staff development, and accountability.
• Data-driven program development and efficiency improvements.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to handle animals with compassion and apply Fear-Free principles.

Responsibilities

• Supervise adoption/foster, shelter, cat/dog, community outreach, and safety net program managers.
• Foster a healthy workplace culture with employee well-being, engagement, and growth.
• Coach managers on leadership, roles, and performance.
• Identify training needs and coordinate continuing education.
• Lead lifesaving operations, coordinate care with medical teams, and track progress with metrics.
• Develop policies and procedures with departmental leaders across PAWS.
• Collaborate with external partners to expand reach and impact.
• Manage budget considerations and staffing plans in collaboration with leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Management

Data-driven decisions

Communication

Empathy

Team building

Strategic planning

Customer service

Education

BA/BS

Post-secondary education in animal welfare/shelter management/leadership

Tools

ShelterLuv

Airtable

ClinicHQ

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) in Philadelphia seeks a Director of Lifesaving Operations to lead all shelter lifesaving, adoption, foster and safety net programs. The role focuses on strategic rescue operations, compassionate care, and a data-driven approach to improve outcomes while shaping a positive, inclusive workplace culture.

The DLO will coordinate with PAWS’ medical team, manage budgets, and guide department managers to achieve weekly, monthly, and yearly targets in alignment