1000+ Best policy research Jobs in New York, New York (October 2025)

ASPCA

Director, Animal Welfare

5 days ago

Manhattan

Summary: Overview: Are you passionate about promoting an inclusive work environment? Do you find inspiration in improving the lives of animals? Do you envision yourself implementing plans for successful, innovative population management and leading your team in the provision of high-quality animal care and enrichment? Do you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic and complex environment, and consider yourself a people-centered leader? If so, consider the role of Director, Animal Welfare (Adoption Center). Who We Are: The Adoption Center & Kitten Nursery provides intake, holistic care, including medical and behavioral support and outcomes for animals in New York City that need us most. Our population consists of five groups of animals: • Animal victims of cruelty and neglect brought to us by the NYPD, • Animals brought to us through our Community Engagement team, • Underage kittens and other medically compromised stray animals, • Animals surrendered by their owners and in need of adoption into new homes, • Animals transferred in from shelter/rescue partners The Adoption Center & Kitten Nursery teams utilize and develop best practices for providing care and innovative placement strategies for these specialized populations. What You’ll Do: In this position, you’ll work with your team to ensure all animals receive timely services and interventions to move through the care of the Adoption Center, into safe and loving homes. You’ll closely partner with the other Adoption Center Directors to position the Adoption Center as a learning hub that encourages public involvement as ambassadors for the ASPCA’s mission through volunteerism, fostering, and adoption. You will lead a high-performing team dedicated to the care of approximately 2,000 at-risk pets each year, working effectively with internal and external stakeholders to achieve the ASPCA’s ultimate goal: ensuring that all animals live fulfilling lives. To succeed in this role, the Director will be an excellent manager, teacher, supervisor and coach. The Director will lead their team in championing canine and feline populations equally and enthusiastically, supporting the health of animals in the Adoption Center by interacting with animals in their daily life to detect potential problems or changes in their medical or behavioral health and communicating those effectively to clinical professionals, administering certain medications, providing daily care, engaging in behavioral enrichment activities, and documenting/maintaining records of all activities. Success also hinges on the Director’s ability to partner effectively with medical and behavior subject matter experts to balance the social and psychological needs of animals with best practices in herd health and shelter medicine to ensure an enriched and healthy shelter environment is maintained at all times. Where and When You’ll Work • This position is an on-site role and reports to the 92nd Street ASPCA location., • The schedule for this role will be a 5 consecutive-day workweek; one weekend day may be required. Periodic schedule flexibility to accommodate team and departmental operational needs can be expected. What You’ll Get Compensation Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to education, training, experience, location, business needs, internal equity, market demands or budgeted amount for the role. The target hiring range is for new hire offers only, and staff compensation may increase beyond the maximum hiring range based on performance over time. The maximum of the hiring range is reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience. The expected hiring salary range for this role is set forth below and may be modified in the future. • The target hiring range for this role is $95,000.-$102,000. annually. The Compensation Team will review internal candidates’ current compensation, to determine if an offer beyond the target hiring range may be applicable. ___ The Compensation Team will review internal candidates’ current compensation, to determine if an offer beyond the target hiring range may be applicable. Benefits At the ASPCA, you don’t have to choose between your passion and making a living. Our comprehensive benefits package helps ensure you can live a rewarding life at work and at home. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: • Affordable health coverage, including medical, employer-paid dental, and optional vision coverage., • Flexible time off that includes vacation time, sick and bereavement time, paid parental leave, 10 company paid holidays, and paid personal time off that allows you even more flexibility to observe the days that mean the most to you., • Competitive financial incentives and retirement savings including a 401(k) plan with generous employer contributions — we match dollar for dollar up to 4% and provide an additional 4% contribution toward your future each year., • Robust professional development opportunities including classes, on-the-job training, coaching and mentorship with industry-leading peers, internal mobility, opportunities to support in the field, and so much more. Responsibilities: Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: Animal Welfare and Operational Leadership (50%) * In partnership with Senior Director and leadership team, ensure the Adoption Center prioritizes the welfare of animals in our care by attending to their physical and emotional health and comfort and operate within the Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ “Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters” as guiding principles for animal care * Lead daily Medical, Behavior, and Sheltering population rounds (MBS Rounds) ensuring all teams are focused on moving animals through the Adoption Center efficiently, and develop the decisive MBS voice among all Animal Welfare Managers * Partner effectively with Director, Medical and Director, Behavior to evaluate and improve the involvement of the Integrated Care Assistants in animal observation, treatments and interventions * Oversee space allocation for Adoption Center animals, including forecasting to determine capacity for care and to guide intake decisions * Be an early adopter, champion and teacher of organization-wide priorities for animal care and placement * Provide a safe and compassionate environment for animals in our care, our staff, and for our clients by using low-stress handling techniques * Instill the guiding principle that everyone can—and should—actively support the animals’ behavioral and mental health in everything they do. * Ensure that all team members have received training and mastered the skills to handle in a low stress manner, and that they implement these handling techniques consistently in all their interactions with animals * Play an integral role on the Adoption Center’s response team to implement and enhance an effective emergency mobilization plan (e.g. storms and large-scale animal intakes) including overnight management presence as needed * Support the department’s successful engagement in Adoption Center-related research opportunities * Design and implement improved processes or operations to manage animal flow * Direct the implementation and maintenance of effective feline and canine enrichment programs, ensure that staff are trained and compliant, adequate supplies are on hand and animals are receiving an appropriate variety of items and experiences to support and enhance behavioral health * See that staff send timely medical and behavior observation reports and support the maintenance of accurate shelter records in relevant shelter systems, e.g.: PetPoint * Ensure Adoption Center animals’ grooming needs are met * Act as Adoption Center representative in interdepartmental meetings as directed People Management (50%) * With Senior Director and leadership team, nurture a culture of learning at the Adoption Center, including ensuring a respectful and welcoming environment, active participation in goal setting and monitoring, clear expectations, and regular practice of feedback and after-actions * Provide robust training, supervision, modeling, coaching, development opportunities and ongoing guidance for direct reports and the Adoption Center ICA team * Maintain adequate staffing levels at all times; assign and/or re-assign appropriate responsibilities, as well as direct workflow in order to maximize productivity and maintain coverage in the event of planned absences, call outs, injuries, increased volume, etc. * Guide the team in welcoming, training, supervising and coaching volunteers in their deep support of animal welfare-related functions * Provide regular, timely and direct feedback via regular 1:1 check-ins and quarterly feedback sessions with direct reports; conduct periodic skip level meetings * Ensure the ICA team receives direct, timely and transparent communication about animals’ pathways through care and prioritize support for staff in understanding humane euthanasia outcomes may ultimately be appropriate for some animals * Be a consistent and visible presence “on the floor” to answer questions, make timely operational and staffing adjustments, receive feedback, lend a hand, and ensure deep understanding of and compliance with the Adoption Center’s operations * Participate in Union negotiations to provide manager input regarding terms of the collective bargaining unit * Deploy locally or nationally as part of an ASPCA response once per year * Serve as a champion in times of change management and work with Adoption Center leadership team to continuously identify ways to improve policies and practices * Lead the team through transitions in protocols, routines and responsibilities. * Develop and maintain needed written materials (protocols, information sheets, data sheets, etc.) and oversee their use by staff and volunteers * Ensure continuous care coverage during events/team meetings and trainings to ensure staff and animal safety * Rotate weekend, holiday and event coverage with other Adoption Center Directors * Other duties as assigned by supervisor Qualifications: * Demonstrated exceptional leadership skills in managing a team and prioritizing their development * Excellent decision-making ability; able to act with urgency as emergent situations arise and demonstrate sound judgement * Proven history of building and maintaining positive and productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders * Superior problem-solving abilities; passion for troubleshooting and finding solutions when facing challenges * Excellent accountability and time management skills; able to prioritize multiple projects and be responsive to requests * Demonstrates care and concern for the safety and well-being of self, animals and others, especially during stressful situations * Ability to quickly, calmly, and efficiently adjust to changes in direction and re-prioritize work * Experience with conflict resolution * Ability to teach and coach; familiar with adult learning principles * Excellent written and oral communication skills * Knowledge of animal behavior and animal welfare; readily able to work closely with animals who are behaviorally and/or medically compromised; able to understand and participate in euthanasia decisions as appropriate, and support staff in understanding these outcomes * Some animal handling skills preferred * Knowledge of OSHA requirements a plus * Experience managing union staff a plus Exemplifies the ASPCA’s Core Values: o Has Commitment and dedication to improving the lives of animals o Demonstrates Ownership and feels responsible for outcomes o Believes in Team – that we are stronger together o Seeks to Elevate others and reimagine what is possible o Focuses on Impact, specifically making change for animals Education and Work Experience: * Undergraduate degree preferred or comparable work experience * 5 years operational management and team leadership experience required - in a veterinary practice or animal shelter a plus * 3 years in animal behavior and/or animal welfare field strongly preferred * Fear Free® Shelter certification is required within 60 days of hire Qualifications: See above for qualifications details. Language: English (Required) Education and Work Experience: Our EEO Policy: The ASPCA is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the ASPCA’s standard application process, which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on the ASPCA. Please inform the ASPCA’s People Team if you need an accommodation in order to complete any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process. Individuals seeking employment are considered without regards to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. ASPCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V). About Us: The ASPCA was founded in 1866 on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment by humans and must be protected under the law. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than two million supporters nationwide, the ASPCA is committed to preventing cruelty to dogs, cats, equines, and farm animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA is headquartered in New York City, where we maintain a full-service animal hospital, spay/neuter clinic, mobile spay/neuter and primary pet care clinics, a rehabilitation center for canine victims of cruelty, kitten nursery, adoption center, and two community veterinary centers. The ASPCA also operates programs and services that extend nationwide. We assist animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary community through research, training, and resources. At the ASPCA, we are committed to fostering a collaborative and compassionate culture and we welcome all voices to contribute to our lifesaving mission. Our staff represent a vast array of backgrounds and diversity dimensions, bringing with them valuable experiences and perspectives. They join the ASPCA to learn, grow, and continually do their best work on behalf of animals. We are inspired by our staff, partners, and the communities we support across the country who work to improve animal lives. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion at the ASPCA because it elevates our organizational culture, aligns with our Core Values, and enables us to move further and faster toward the ASPCA’s vision – that all animals live good lives; valued by society, protected by its laws, and free from cruelty, pain and suffering. Your Employee Rights Under the Family and Medical Leave Act: Pursuant to regulations of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), we provide this notice to applicants about eligible employees’ protected leave for certain reasons. Click on the ___ to learn more. Applicants that are residents of Colorado and Oregon: Per CO Senate Bill 23-058 and ORS 659A.030, we cannot generally request or require any age-related information (i.e., age, DOB, attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution) on an initial employment application; this includes any age-related inquiries through completion of the initial interview. We can require/request additional application materials; if those materials contain any age-related information, an applicant should redact the information before submitting an initial employment application. Indiana Applicants: Pursuant to Indiana law, we are providing notice that it is an unlawful employment practice for an employer to discriminate against a prospective employee on the basis of status as a veteran by: (1) refusing to employ an applicant for employment on the basis that the applicant is a veteran of the armed forces of the United States; or (2) refusing to employ an applicant for employment on the basis that the applicant is a member of the Indiana National Guard or a member of a reserve component. Should you feel that you were a victim of discrimination on the basis of veteran status, please let us know at . Alternatively, you can file a complaint with the following agencies at any time: Indiana Civil Rights Commission (ICRC) 100 North Senate Avenue, Room N103, Indianapolis, IN 46204; Office: (317) 232-2600 | Toll Free: (800) 628-2909; Hearing Impaired: (800) 743-3333 | Fax: (317) 232-6580; E-mail: | Website: . Equal Employment Opportunity Commission - Indianapolis Field Office; 115 W. Washington Street South Tower Suite 600; Indianapolis, IN 46204; Phone: 463-999-1240; Fax: 317-226-7953; TTY: 1-800-669-6820;ASL Video Phone: 844-234-5122.

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