CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
ORGANIZATION: SPCA Tampa Bay www.spcatampabay.org LOCATION: Largo, FL 33773 REPORTS TO: Chief Executive Officer
VISION Create a community where every animal matters.
MISSION Through passionate collaboration with our community, we transform the lives of animals.
BACKGROUND SPCA Tampa Bay has cared for Pinellas County’s homeless pets for more than 75 years. It was founded in St. Petersburg in 1940, and moved to its 10-acre campus in Largo in 1962. SPCA Tampa Bay returned to St. Petersburg when it opened a second location, the SPCA Tampa Bay Veterinary Center, in 2016. It further expanded its programmatic reach in 2017 with the addition of New Dawn Animal Behavior Center at a third location in Clearwater. It is the only non-profit, animal welfare agency that runs an open-admission animal shelter, pet training facility and public veterinary center in Pinellas County. The shelter in Largo cares for more than 8,000 animals annually that have been surrendered by their owners, along with injured wildlife. SPCA Tampa Bay cares for dogs, cats, pocket pets, exotic animals, and some livestock. Animals receive immunizations, medical care, behavior training and enrichment, and loving care while they live at the shelter. Adoption volunteers work to match families with animals that are a good fit with the family’s home, lifestyle and personalities. There is no time limit for an animal’s stay at the shelter.
SERVICES n Animal admission, including the care of every surrendered animal n Animal transport for sick or injured pets n Lost/found pet assistance, working with Pinellas County Animal Services n Wildlife rescue, working with local partners to provide medical care and rehab for wildlife n Animal cruelty investigation for wildlife and livestock PROGRAMS n Pet adoption, with a focus on matching every animal with a loving forever home n Pebble’s Food Bank, provides free pet food to Pinellas County residents facing a financial hardship n Free pet behavior help line, to address oneon-one behavior issues n New Dawn Animal Behavior Center training n Summer camps, to offer hands-on learning experiences about caring for a pet to youth n Veterinary care for owned pets The Veterinary Center, located in St. Petersburg, provides two services for any pet
owner: a general, full-service veterinary practice and a high-volume spay/neuter clinic. A portion of all revenue from the Veterinary Center supports the programs and services at the shelter in Largo. It also helps other families provide veterinary care for their pets through the Caldwell Keeping Families Together Fund. SPCA Tampa Bay expanded its focus on pet training in 2017 by acquiring New Dawn Animal Behavior Center (“ABC”), a successful training school located in Clearwater. SPCA Tampa Bay and New Dawn ABC have a similar philosophy on using a positive, rewards-based training approach, and a belief that training can strengthen the bond between owners and their pets. New Dawn ABC continues to operate with its experienced staff at its existing Clearwater location and at SPCA Tampa Bay’s campus in Largo. The 10-acre main campus in Largo houses adoptable pets, owner surrender animals and wildlife, the clinic for shelter animals, and all administrative services. SPCA Tampa Bay is governed by a volunteer board of directors. The current operating budget is approximately $5M. There are 85 staff and 250 volunteers.
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THE OPPORTUNITY During the past five years, a unique community partnership between SPCA Tampa Bay, Pinellas County Animal Services and two other animal welfare agencies have helped realize a number of positive outcomes for the community including a 16% increase in adoptions and a 50% decrease in shelter euthanasia. Additionally, due to this partnership, stray intake and owner surrenders have also decreased by 24% and 34% respectively. Overall the partnership between SPCA Tampa Bay and Pinellas County Animal Services is very strong in that SPCA Tampa Bay takes in owner surrenders and wildlife; whereas, Pinellas County Animal Services takes in strays. While the numbers are moving in the right direction, there is an opportunity to continue to improve the live release rate for SPCA Tampa Bay. Programmatic growth areas for SPCA Tampa Bay include cruelty investigations targeting livestock and wildlife, and expanding the capacity to rehabilitate these animals. Currently most wildlife is transferred, as SPCA Tampa Bay is not set up for rehabilitation. However, the opportunity exists to develop the capacity for this work. In fact, a flight cage for wounded birds is a first step in this direction. Evaluation of some of the existing programs to determine viability would be helpful. For example, summer camps have seen declining enrollment due to increased competition from other organizations including private schools and other nonprofits. Partnering
with other organizations such as the YMCA or the Children’s Museum could be explored as an alternative. Overall, there is an opportunity to expand programmatic partnerships. SPCA Tampa Bay recently purchased a property in downtown St. Petersburg and opened of a full-service animal hospital that is open to the public. While the hospital is thriving, it can be difficult for pet owners in low income neighborhoods to access needed medical care. A mobile veterinary unit or some other mechanism for providing veterinarian services to communities through partnerships could be explored. The clinic at the Largo campus serves only animals in the shelter. Behavior programs are also a growth area. With the recent acquisition of New Dawn ABC, marketing these programs and growing visibility for the behavior work is desired. Behavior issues are creating a longer length of stay for animals in the shelter. Increasing staff and programs in this area may grow. The Chief Operating Officer (“COO�) will have the opportunity to review current services and programs and implement innovative new programs that further expand the reach of SPCA Tampa Bay. One possibility is to open pop up satellite operations in underserved communities. Given that the Largo shelter is dated, the timing is right to start planning for building a new shelter and/or, focusing more on opening satellites. The COO will to play a strategic role in the planning for the new shelter structure. S/he will also be able to review the operations department organizational structure, current policies and procedures and make changes as s/he sees fit.
THE POSITION Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the newly created position of Chief Operating Officer, is responsible for the direction and supervision of all animal-related facility programs, procedures and resources including: animal housing, adoptions, shelter veterinarians, transfers and any other innovative programs related to the overall humane care and well-being of animals. S/he manages and develops a staff of 50, with five direct reports including Intake & Investigations, Animal Welfare, Veterinary Services, Behavior and the New Dawn ABC. The role is responsible for a
budget of approximately $2.2 million. The COO will bring vision and progressive ideas on the future of animal welfare to SPCA Tampa Bay. Strategic operations and management will be two of the most important responsibilities of the new COO. S/he will develop a culture that empowers growth, appreciates staff and volunteers, respects everyone equally and applies best practice business leadership and management skills. This includes continually ensuring that SPCA Tampa Bay is a customer friendly, customer service driven organization. The staff that the
position oversees will thrive with professional development, coaching and mentoring. A strong and demonstrated background in shelter operations in the animal welfare/control field is necessary. Passion, integrity, honesty and trust are key qualities of the COO. It is expected that the individual could at times be the spokesperson for the shelter and will be visible with the general public, animal welfare advocates, government officials, civic groups, schools, media, volunteers and other key stakeholders to promote animal welfare and the mission of SPCA Tampa Bay.
CORE COMPETENCIES STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP Provide creative, progressive and constructive ideas to strategic initiatives to ensure that the goals and objectives of SPCA Tampa Bay are successfully achieved. Provide vision and direction for the future growth of programs, policies and procedures for the shelter. Offer leadership to the shelter staff in all their activities; develop annual department goals in collaboration with the management teams; provide guidance, stability, support and build a collaborative culture for staff. PROGRAM AND SERVICES DEVELOPMENT Plan, organize and implement, or review, update or institute new programs that continue to move the SPCA Tampa Bay mission forward; ensure the quality of all programs is of the highest standard; ensure strong customer service; ensure and maintain all proper euthanasia protocol; develop new and creative programs to increase adoptions and address animal homelessness issues in the
region; ensure that all animals are kept in a clean, safe and comfortable environment. FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND DATA COLLECTION Draft and oversee the operations department budgets and ensure sound fiscal management and capital allocation. Develop and implement cost-saving measures; contribute to profit and revenue income. Ensure that all statistics are kept up to date and are easily retrievable, prepare and maintain necessary records, reports and procedural manual. Analyze statistical data to develop new strategies, figure projections, and determine trends. Develop and conduct research projects. Regularly compile and present reports to the Chief Executive Officer on facility operations and activities. ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT Empower and develop staff so they feel they are an integral part of SPCA Tampa Bay. Provide training opportunities and
incentive programs so that staff is encouraged and excited about their jobs. Ensure that staff is well informed of decisions that affect them and the agency and ensure that those policies are explained and communicated clearly and concisely. Develop and implement procedures to ensure good management, administrative and fiscal practices; ensure that the staff understands the vision and direction of the SPCA Tampa Bay and that in return they will be able to develop and mature
in their roles and responsibilities; lead by example and maintain the highest professional standards and practices for SPCA Tampa Bay. PUBLIC RELATIONS AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH Serve, when needed, as the spokesperson for SPCA Tampa Bay. Ensure that the shelter is always attractively presented and welcoming to guests, potential adopters, general public and other constituents who visit the facilities.
THE PROFILE We are seeking a dynamic, energetic and experienced leader and manager with a track record of innovative and inclusive leadership. Demonstrated accomplishments in shelter operations, personnel management, and financial oversight are needed. An unwavering commitment to, and understanding of, open admission is required. The ideal candidate will bring strong and successful leadership as a Director or Senior Manager of a humane society/animal control agency. Personnel management skills that include an ability to work collaboratively, listen, have a positive
attitude, provide feedback, build morale, delegate and make decisions are essential. We seek a candidate who has management acumen as well as the ability to assess and maintain policies and procedures for building programs and delivering results. The successful candidate will excel in planning, developing and determining success in programs and initiatives. This will require experience with the principles and practices of program management including basic statistical methods, fiscal and budgetary practices, and knowledge of local, state and federal regulations for the workplace.
Qualified individuals will have excellent communication skills including exemplary writing skills and can articulate the benefits and challenges of animal welfare to both the internal organization as well as to the public. The ideal candidate will be motivated by the best interests of the organization, will demonstrate success managing change and will have a strong customer service orientation. A B.A. degree from a four-year college or university is strongly preferred. Evidence of a passionate commitment to the proper care of all animals is strongly needed. CAWA designation is helpful.
HOW TO APPLY Applications and nominations are being received by Noetic Search. Please click here to submit a current resume and letter of introduction to Noetic Search. For more information, please see our website at www.noeticexsearch.com or the SPCA Tampa Bay website at spcatampabay.org SPCA Tampa Bay is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Noetic Search 150 N. Michigan Ave. Suite 2800, Chicago, IL 60601 (312) 863-8577