Head of Shelter Operations

Rancho Coastal Humane Society; Encinitas (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Rancho Coastal Humane Society seeks a Head of Shelter Operations to unify Adoption and Foster Services, Behavior and Training, Animal Care, Shelter Medical, and Community Medical Programs. Reporting to the President and CEO, you will lead 4-6 department heads and align daily work to improve outcomes for animals, clients, and staff.

This role requires strong leadership, budget oversight, and the ability to translate data into actionable improvements.

Qualifications

• Leads department heads and teams, sets goals and succession plans.
• Uses data to set priorities and report risks to the CEO.
• Manages budgets and resource decisions with senior leaders.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coach department heads; establish goals and performance expectations.
• Oversee budgets, staffing, and service quality across programs with veterinary leaders.
• Develop procedures and training to improve consistency and communication.
• Collaborate with volunteers, community impact, development, and external partners to support humane placement.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Operational leadership

Data-driven decisions

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Job description

SummaryReporting to the President and CEO, the Head of Shelter Operations leads coordinated animal operations across Adoption and Foster Services, Behavior and Training, Animal Care, Shelter Medical and Community Medical Programs. The role provides leadership for approximately four to six department heads and their teams, aligns daily work across departments, and improves the experience and outcomes of animals, clients and staff.This role is accountable for operational leadership of medical services while licensed veterinary professionals retain clinical judgment and oversight of veterinary practice.Key ResponsibilitiesLead, coach, and hold accountable department heads; establish goals, staffing plans, performance expectations, succession plans, and clear escalation paths.Oversee operational planning, staffing, access, budget, and service quality for Shelter Medical and Community Medical Programs with veterinary leaders on capacity, treatment workflows, surgery readiness, isolation, humane euthanasia, and discharge processes.Build practical procedures and training across all departments; identify recurring barriers and work with managers to improve consistency and communication.Use animal flow, length of stay, outcomes, capacity, safety, staffing, and service data to set priorities and report progress and risks to the CEO.Manage approved budgets and resource plans for assigned functions, working with the CEO, HR, and department heads on hiring, development and operational decisions.Collaborate with volunteer, community impact, development, humane education, and external partners to support humane placement and community services.Progressive leadership in animal sheltering, animal welfare, veterinary service operations, or a closely-related setting, including management of department leaders or multiple teams. Equivalent experience and education considered.Veterinary hospital administration or veterinary service operations experience is highly valued; shelter experience is preferred but not required for candidates with strong transferable operational leadership experience.Knowledge of humane animal care, shelter flow, behavior support, adoption and foster operations, safety, and effective partnership with veterinary professionals.Demonstrated ability to coach managers, resolve cross-team issues, use operational data, manage budgets, and implement procedures that staff can follow.Clear communication, sound judgment under pressure, and commitment to animal welfare, staff safety, and respectful service.