State Director

Description

The State Director is responsible for the strategic development and execution of key AHS initiatives and oversight of all AHS animal protection activity throughout Georgia and across the southeast.

To support our team members that carry out this lifesaving work each day, the Atlanta Humane Society offers a comprehensive selection of affordable quality health benefits, paid time off, financial benefits and resources (including a 401k with 6% employer match), and professional development opportunities.

As one of the oldest nonprofits in Atlanta, Georgia, we have cared for our community and animals for over 150 years. Atlanta Humane Society is a national leader in animal welfare recognized for innovation, thought leadership, and commitment to excellence. Atlanta Humane is proud to have expanded the scope and impact of a traditional animal shelter with the bold goal of keeping pets and people together.

Departmental oversight includes all AHS animal protection activity inside and outside the state of Georgia, providing thought leadership and education across the industry to shape the landscape of animal welfare in the state of Georgia, and ensuring the development of a cohesive network of regional partnerships with the aim of improving conditions for animals across the Southeast. The Director is responsible for leading high-performance teams and ensuring team performance aligns with long-term objectives. Other key responsibilities include forging relationships with government, regulatory, human service, and animal welfare stakeholders, ensuring the growth and sustainable operations of the AHS pet Food and Supply Pantry, administration and reporting for grants to other organizations, and providing lead direction in the pursuit of community and partnerships within the statewide/regional coalition to support Goal three of the AHS Strategic plan.

• Provide lead direction, make decisions, and execute AHS’s strategic initiatives to ensure departmental performance aligns with the organization’s long-term vision and objectives
• Lead and mentor a success-oriented team of directors and managers, fostering professional growth, transparency, and accountability to goals
• Drive efforts to improve processes, enhance performance, and to achieve operational excellence to ensure future funding and hit metrics
• Oversee the management and administration of grants up to but not limited to shelter improvement grants, vehicle grants, and ensure superior grant performance to secure future funding
• Ensure Atlanta Humane Society is poised as a thought leader at the industry level and stewarding the development of educational offerings such as conferences, regional symposiums, and the APU curriculum
• Drive the expansion of Atlanta Humane Society’s Animal Protection Unit (APU) into four quadrants of the state of Georgia and oversee the strategic placement and operations of emergency sheltering facilities
• Ensure the reach, relevancy, and embeddedness of AHS services and programs into the geographical areas we serve, including but not limited to pet food and supplies, grants, shelter consults, transport partnerships, placement assistance, disaster support, legal and investigative support
• Be a leader in fostering collaboration and cross departmental communication within AHS
• Monitor performance metrics and KPI’s to ensure team effectiveness and meet departmental objectives 
• Informs Senior leadership in the budget planning process. Monitors budgets and financial resources to optimize departmental spending and investment throughout the year. Implement solutions to meet or exceed budget objectives.
• Report regularly to executive leadership on performance metrics and strategic initiatives
• Work closely with department leaders and facilitate cross-department coordination to ensure statewide efforts are compatible with and complimentary to existing AHS services, processes, and programs
• Work closely with Community Initiatives and Shelter Solutions teams to ensure regional partner access to existing AHS programs and services is accomplished by leveraging technology and streamlining expectations  
• Assist the transition of partner management into Salesforce CRM
• Champion partnerships and collaborations between organizations to increase lifesaving potential and represent AHS at state and national networking events
• Participates, on behalf of AHS, on community, state and/or national boards and committees. 
• Research and collaborate with the Community Engagement team/Resource Center to effectively align marketing and operational efforts  
• Ensure departmental compliance with industry regulations, best practices, and organizational policies

• Other projects and/or duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s preferred
• Must possess advanced understanding of animal welfare regulations
• Regulatory, law enforcement, or government background and experience highly sought  
• Excellent ability to solve problems and come to appropriate conclusions based on thorough understanding of AHS policies and procedures
• Self-reliant, initiative-taking, able to work independently – positive contributor
• Demonstrated ability to direct and write standard operation procedures and program material.
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals of varying and diverse demographics
• Discretion in handling confidential information
• Fluency in Spanish or other foreign language a plus
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to work well with a diverse group of staff and volunteers
• Must be willing to travel across the State of Georgia as needed, with occasional out-of-state travel required
• Current GA driver’s license with favorable driving record; insurable by AHS insurance provider
• Must be able to accommodate flexible hours, including weekends and evenings
• Experience with Office 365 and Salesforce

Working Conditions

• Performs work in the field, in office, at partner animal welfare organizations, and travels frequently in and out of state
• Subject to animal bites, scratches, and zoonotic diseases
• Frequent walking, standing, bending, and stooping
• Must be able to lift, push and pull up to 50lbs, with reasonable accommodations