Executive Director

Pope Memorial SPCA of Concord-Merrimack County; Concord (NH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Relocation support

Life insurance (UNUM)

Paid time off after 90 days; vacation/

Simple IRA with 3% employer match

Job summary

Pope Memorial SPCA of Concord-Merrimack County seeks an Executive Director to provide strategic and operational leadership from its Concord, NH location. The role oversees fundraising, financial stewardship, and community engagement while ensuring premier animal welfare and organizational growth.

The ED will partner with the Board, manage senior staff, and advance programs that save lives and strengthen the humane mission across central New Hampshire.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Business, or related field; minimum three years senior leadership experience.
• Master’s degree preferred; CAWA certification a plus.
• Proven ability to lead organizations through change and growth.
• Strong financial management, budgeting, and facility oversight.
• Experience building relationships with boards, staff, volunteers, and partners.
• Genuine passion for animal welfare, fundraising, and community engagement.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership to guide organizational direction and growth.
• Oversee fundraising activities across individual, corporate, foundation giving and events.
• Lead budgeting, financial planning, and ensure fiduciary compliance.
• Direct shelter operations, animal welfare, and medical teams to meet standards.
• Foster a positive, collaborative culture among staff and volunteers.
• Represent the organization to the community and stakeholders.

Skills

Nonprofit leadership

Fundraising

Financial management

Board relations

Public speaking

Staff development

Animal welfare

Policy compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management or Business

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

CAWA certification

Job description

Scion Executive Search has been retained to conduct an immediate search for the Executive Director of Pope Memorial SPCA, an organization dedicated to caring for abandoned and homeless pets, protecting and advocating for pets in need, and promoting the humane treatment of all animals. This is a full-time, onsite position based in Concord, NH.

ABOUT Pope Memorial SPCA:

Pope Memorial SPCA is an animal welfare organization based in Concord, New Hampshire, driven by the belief that every community should be a safe haven for animals, one where the bond between people and pets is nurtured and every animal is treated with compassion and respect. Established in 1910, the organization has spent more than a century growing and evolving to meet the changing needs of the Capital Area and the State of New Hampshire.

Each day, Pope Memorial SPCA provides shelter, food, and medical care to homeless pets in need. Its work goes well beyond basic care: the organization provides necessary veterinary treatment, offers enrichment and socialization to help animals thrive while they wait, and guides potential adopters with the information and support they need to make lasting matches. Alongside its shelter operations, Pope Memorial SPCA hosts programs designed to prevent cruelty to animals, extending its impact into the broader community. As an organization that does not euthanize animals for time or space, Pope Memorial SPCA gives every animal the time it needs.

Rooted in a proud legacy of compassion and service, Pope Memorial SPCA has become a trusted resource for animals and the people who love them across central New Hampshire. It is an organization defined by patience, care, and an unwavering commitment to finding every lost or abandoned pet a loving home.

This is a remarkable moment to join an organization with deep community roots and a clear sense of purpose. As part of a planned leadership transition, Pope Memorial SPCA is entering an exciting new chapter and seeks its next dynamic, dedicated, and mission-driven Executive Director, a leader who will honor its century-long legacy while shaping its future at a time when compassionate, community-focused animal welfare leadership is more essential than ever.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Executive Director provides both strategic and operational leadership, guiding organizational direction, program effectiveness, fundraising, and community engagement while ensuring excellence in animal welfare, financial stewardship, and sustainable growth. As the primary liaison to the Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, and the broader community, the Executive Director champions the mission and cultivates a collaborative, compassionate culture grounded in integrity, reliability, accountability, and clear role expectations.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Develop and implement a strategic plan aligned with the mission, program goals, and organizational priorities in partnership with the Board of Directors.
• Maintain strong collaboration with the Board President, ensuring transparent communication and fulfillment of fiduciary and governance responsibilities.
• Lead all fundraising activities, including individual, corporate, and foundation giving, charitable events, and the annual fund.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors, securing significant contributions through strong relationship building with key stakeholders and community partners.
• Supervise the Development Manager across all development functions: events, annual fund, direct mail, grants, online giving, database management, gift processing, and donor acknowledgements.
• Oversee marketing, public relations, and community outreach to strengthen visibility and advance the mission.
• Direct organizational budgeting, financial planning, and long‑term fiscal stability.
• Ensure compliance with financial regulations, responsible expenditures, and sound financial stewardship.

Shelter Operations & Animal Welfare

• Uphold high standards of animal care, health, safety, and overall well‑being.
• Oversee shelter operations and medical teams, ensuring adherence to industry standards and regulatory requirements.
• Lead, coach, and develop senior staff to ensure operational excellence.
• Maintain updated standard operating procedures, protocols, and best practices across all departments.
• Oversee facility maintenance, cleanliness, and effective allocation of resources.

Team & Human Resources

• Foster a positive, compassionate, collaborative, mission‑driven culture for staff and volunteers.
• Manage personnel, promote teamwork, and ensure effective delegation and role clarity.
• Provide regular staff and volunteer training and workforce development to support safety, skill growth, and high‑quality interactions with shelter animals.

Community & Public Relations

• Represent the organization with professionalism, credibility, and empathy in complex or sensitive situations.
• Serve as the primary spokesperson, strengthening public trust and organizational reputation.
• Expand community visibility and promote compassion, kindness, and humane values for both pets and people.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Business, or a related field, with a minimum of three years of senior leadership experience, preferably within a nonprofit or animal welfare organization. Master’s degree preferred; CAWA certification a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to lead organizations and teams through periods of change and growth.
• Strong proficiency in financial management, budgeting, and facility oversight.
• Proven experience building strong, trusting relationships with boards, staff, volunteers, and community partners.
• Genuine passion for animal welfare, fundraising, and community engagement.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and public speaking skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and respond effectively to the evolving needs of staff, animals, and clients.
• Knowledge of New Hampshire pet vendor regulations, animal welfare laws, shelter operations, and applicable state and federal employment laws

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

This full-time, on-site executive role offers an exceptional opportunity to lead a highly respected, mission-driven animal welfare organization into its next chapter of impact. The position provides a competitive salary range of $90,000 to $115,000 (DOE), along with relocation support for the right candidate. PMSPCA offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical coverage, dental insurance, and employer-paid vision insurance. Additional benefits include short-term disability and life insurance through UNUM, paid time off beginning after 90 days with increasing vacation accrual based on tenure, six paid holidays, three personal days, and five sick days, and access to veterinary care for personal pets at employee rates. Employees are also eligible for a Simple IRA retirement plan with a 3% employer match after one year of service.