Executive Director

The Bronx; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

A mission-driven nonprofit in Houston is seeking an Executive Director to lead the organization focused on animal welfare. The role involves strategic oversight, fundraising, and team leadership, ensuring the implementation of high standards in care while championing the cause in the community. Strong leadership and a passion for animal welfare are essential for making a significant impact.

Benefits

Medical Insurance

Vision Insurance

403(b) Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Employee Assistance Program

Pet Insurance

Qualifications

• 5+ years of senior leadership experience in nonprofit organizations.
• Proven ability to lead through organizational transitions.
• Experience managing complex budgets over $5M.

Responsibilities

• Provide visionary leadership across all functions of the organization.
• Oversee fundraising strategy and ensure financial health through budgeting.
• Champion internal communication and morale-building.

Skills

Leadership

Operational Excellence

Public Speaking

Change Management

Community Engagement

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Advanced Degree

Job description

Join a mission-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to animal welfare as the Executive Director. This full-time position offers a unique opportunity to lead an organization committed to ending cruelty and abuse while providing exceptional care to animals. You will oversee strategy, fundraising, and operations, working closely with a talented team and the Board of Directors. If you have a passion for animal welfare and proven leadership skills, this role allows you to make a significant impact in the Houston community while enjoying a comprehensive benefits package.

Medical Insurance

Vision Insurance

403(b) Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Employee Assistance Program

Pet Insurance

Qualifications

• 5+ years of senior leadership experience in nonprofit organizations.
• Proven ability to lead through organizational transitions and manage complex budgets.

Responsibilities

• Provide visionary leadership across all functions of the organization.
• Oversee fundraising strategy and ensure financial health through budgeting.

Skills

Leadership

Operational Excellence

Public Speaking

Change Management

Community Engagement

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Advanced Degree

Scion Executive Search has been retained to conduct the search for a dynamic and mission-driven Executive Director on behalf of the Houston Humane Society, a highly respected nonprofit organization dedicated to ending cruelty, abuse, and the overpopulation of animals while providing the highest standard of care to those in our charge. This full-time executive leadership opportunity is based in the greater Houston, TX area and is available for immediate hire.

ABOUT HOUSTON HUMANE SOCIETY:
The Houston Humane Society (HHS) serves a diverse animal population, including dogs, cats, horses, wildlife, and other animals in need of rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming. HHS operates with a commitment to the internationally recognized Five Freedoms for animal welfare and works diligently to enrich the lives of every resident animal through TLC, medical care, behavioral enrichment, and placement services. HHS is deeply embedded in the fabric of the Houston community and is driven by a mission to help more animals through expanded programs, increased adoptions, and public access to its trusted Animal Wellness Clinic.

POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Executive Director (ED) will lead the Houston Humane Society during an exciting time of transformation and growth. Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the ED will oversee strategy, fundraising, operations, and culture across the organization. This leader will be responsible for stewarding the organization’s mission, expanding its visibility, and empowering a talented staff through a period of renewed focus on operational efficiency, cross-departmental cohesion, and donor engagement. The successful candidate will bring exceptional business leadership skills, operational excellence, financial and fundraising acumen, and a genuine passion for animal welfare.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide visionary, transparent, and mission-aligned leadership across all functions.
• Serve as the primary external face of HHS, promoting its work with donors, partners, community leaders, and the media.
• Build upon the strategic direction of the organization in collaboration with the Board of Directors.
• Support and develop a cohesive and empowered leadership team, currently composed of departmental directors in shelter operations, medical services, community impact, and development.
• Oversee operational excellence across all service areas and departments and introduce new processes, procedures, and structure changes to drive efficiency and collaboration.
• Ensure robust financial health through strategic budgeting, revenue diversification, and cost-effective management.
• Work in partnership with the Director of Development to help lead fundraising strategy, including major gifts, capital campaign planning, planned giving, and grant development.
• Champion internal communication, culture, and morale-building across a diverse and growing teamthroughout the organization.
• Spearhead continued capital development efforts to expand and optimize HHS’s facilities and community reach.
• Represent the organization with integrity, humility, and purpose.

Scion Executive Search has been retained to conduct the search for a dynamic and mission-driven Executive Director on behalf of the Houston Humane Society, a highly respected nonprofit organization dedicated to ending cruelty, abuse, and the overpopulation of animals while providing the highest standard of care to those in our charge. This full-time executive leadership opportunity is based in the greater Houston, TX area and is available for immediate hire.

ABOUT HOUSTON HUMANE SOCIETY:
The Houston Humane Society (HHS) serves a diverse animal population, including dogs, cats, horses, wildlife, and other animals in need of rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming. HHS operates with a commitment to the internationally recognized Five Freedoms for animal welfare and works diligently to enrich the lives of every resident animal through TLC, medical care, behavioral enrichment, and placement services. HHS is deeply embedded in the fabric of the Houston community and is driven by a mission to help more animals through expanded programs, increased adoptions, and public access to its trusted Animal Wellness Clinic.

POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Executive Director (ED) will lead the Houston Humane Society during an exciting time of transformation and growth. Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the ED will oversee strategy, fundraising, operations, and culture across the organization. This leader will be responsible for stewarding the organization’s mission, expanding its visibility, and empowering a talented staff through a period of renewed focus on operational efficiency, cross-departmental cohesion, and donor engagement. The successful candidate will bring exceptional business leadership skills, operational excellence, financial and fundraising acumen, and a genuine passion for animal welfare.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide visionary, transparent, and mission-aligned leadership across all functions.
• Serve as the primary external face of HHS, promoting its work with donors, partners, community leaders, and the media.
• Build upon the strategic direction of the organization in collaboration with the Board of Directors.
• Support and develop a cohesive and empowered leadership team, currently composed of departmental directors in shelter operations, medical services, community impact, and development.
• Oversee operational excellence across all service areas and departments and introduce new processes, procedures, and structure changes to drive efficiency and collaboration.
• Ensure robust financial health through strategic budgeting, revenue diversification, and cost-effective management.
• Work in partnership with the Director of Development to help lead fundraising strategy, including major gifts, capital campaign planning, planned giving, and grant development.
• Champion internal communication, culture, and morale-building across a diverse and growing teamthroughout the organization.
• Spearhead continued capital development efforts to expand and optimize HHS’s facilities and community reach.
• Represent the organization with integrity, humility, and purpose.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 5+ years of progressive senior leadership experience.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree a plus.
• Inherent passion for animal welfare and the desire to be hands-on when it comes to their care and well-being is required.
• Experience overseeing significant organizational budgetsover $5M; organizational budgets over $10M a plus
• Experience managing complex, high-impact organizations that provide a variety of different programs and services.
• Strong change management capabilities and ability to lead through organizational transition.
• Inspirational leadership style with an empowering and collaborative approach.
• Ability to drive professional development among the team.
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn animal shelter operations, clinic management, and related fields.
• Comfort navigating capital projects, program growth, and staff development.
• Demonstrated success in securing major gifts, cultivating donor relationships, and expanding philanthropic capacity.
• Charismatic and skilled public speaker and organizational ambassador.
• Experience working with or alongside a Board of Directors.
• Deep appreciation for the emotional complexity of shelter work and the importance of staff morale.
• Leads emergency response efforts during critical incidents such as natural disasters, animal cruelty cases, or large-scale seizures; serves as a visible spokesperson and provides after-hours support as needed in high-stress, high-impact situations.
• Culturally competent and respectful of the diverse backgrounds of staff and the communities HHS serves.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
In addition to a competitive base salary range of $180,000 - $215,000 (DOE), the Houston Humane Society offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, employer-paid basic life insurance , voluntary supplemental life and AD&D insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance , Employee Assistance Program , access to pet insurance , 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution after one year of service , paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and 12 paid holidays annually. This leadership opportunity offers the chance to make a meaningful impact on animal welfare in the Houston community while enjoying a robust benefits program designed to support you and your family.

Applications and Nominations:
The Houston Humane Society has retained the services of Scion Executive Search, a national executive search firm specializing in nonprofit recruitment, to assist in conducting this important search. For immediate consideration, please apply with your resume and cover letter, formatted in Microsoft Word, via: https://scionexecutivesearch.com/job/12819 .

Please Address Applications to:
Chelsea Zimmer, CDR, CASR
Executive Search Principal
Scion Executive Search
[phone] x 154

Review of applications, nominations, and expressions of interest will begin immediately and continue on a confidential basis until an appointment is made.

ABOUT OUR FIRM:
Scion Executive Search is an award-winning retained executive search firm. Our track record and recruitment process have made us one of the top recruitment firms in the United States. Through innovative team building and recruitment solutions, Scion Executive Search seamlessly bridges the gap in interim and executive searches. Our track record and recruitment process have made us one of the top recruitment firms in the nation. ??

We are proud to be part of the Forbes lists of the Best Recruitment Firms and the Best Executive Search Firms in America. Additionally, Scion has been recognized as a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing firm as well as a top recruitment firm by The Business Times. Additional information about our firm and our practices can be found online .

Scion Executive Search is an equal opportunity employer and service provider and does not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation, or any other protected class. We are committed to the principles of Equal Opportunity Employment and are dedicated to making employment decisions based on merit and value for ourselves, our client companies, and the candidates we represent. ??

For opportunities located in a region that has enacted fair chance, arrest, or conviction-based employment ordinances, Scion Executive Search proactively follows the enacted guidance and considers for employment all qualifiedapplications with arrest and conviction records. We engage in socially conscious business practices and believe that diverse, equitable, inclusive, and non-biased talent and recruitment processes are foundational to the success of Scion as well as every client organization with whom we partner. Apply For This Job

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