Vice President of Operations

Job description

The Cleveland Animal Protective League (APL) is seeking an experienced operational leader to serve as its next Vice President of Operations. This is a senior executive role within a respected, nonprofit humane organization known for the quality of its animal care, the integrity of its humane investigations, and its commitment to helping pets and families stay together.

Reporting to the President & CEO and serving as a key member of the executive leadership team, the Vice President of Operations will provide leadership across many of the areas at the heart of APL’s mission, including shelter operations, veterinary services, community initiatives, humane law enforcement, facilities, and information technology.

The Cleveland APL operates a 39,000-square-foot animal care and resource center and has an annual operating budget of approximately $13.5 million, 110 employees, 1,500 active volunteers, and recently completed a substantial facility renovation. Its work extends far beyond traditional sheltering through an integrated model that includes humane animal care and adoptions, a robust foster network, shelter-based and community veterinary services, spay/neuter and Trap-Neuter-Return programs, Project CARE, humane investigations with full police authority, and legislative advocacy.

The ideal candidate will bring strong shelter operations and field service experience, whether through animal control, humane law enforcement, cruelty response, or related work. They will be a strategic operator and collaborative executive who can develop strong leaders, strengthen systems and accountability, use data to guide decisions, and lead continuous improvement while maintaining exceptional standards of animal welfare and service.

The next Vice President of Operations will join a strong, experienced leadership team and help APL continue to strengthen the systems, people, and practices behind exceptional animal care, effective humane law enforcement, and responsive services for pets and the people who care for them.

Bachelor’s degree strongly desired

Minimum of five years of executive leadership experience at a comparable animal shelter or animal welfare organization, or eight or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience with demonstrated success in operations management, organizational leadership, strategic planning, personnel management, financial oversight, and program development,

along with the professional and leadership qualities required to step into an executive-level leadership position

Nonprofit leadership experience strongly preferred

Demonstrated leadership, organizational management, and strategic planning skills

Ability to think strategically while effectively managing day-to-day operational priorities

Strong financial management, budgeting, and resource allocation skills

Excellent analytical, critical thinking, and data-driven decision-making abilities

Exceptional leadership, coaching, mentoring, and team development skills

Proven ability to lead organizational change and continuous improvement initiatives

Outstanding project management, organizational, and time management skills, with the ability

to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines

Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, presentation, and public speaking skills

Ability to build collaborative relationships with employees, volunteers, donors, community partners, government officials, and the public

High level of professionalism, integrity, sound judgment, discretion, and emotional intelligence

Demonstrated commitment to exceptional animal welfare, outstanding customer service, ethical leadership, and advancing APL’s mission

Certification through the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement (AAWA) as a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) is desirable

Ability to meet operational and organizational scheduling needs, including

occasional evenings, weekends, or emergency response when necessary

Valid Ohio driver’s license with an insurable driving record

Fear Free Certification required within six months of hire if not already certified

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Worksite address

cleveland, OH, 44101, US

Who can apply

Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.