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Sr. Director of Operations

This job is no longer open for applications

About Colorado Pet Pantry 

The Colorado Pet Pantry started with one bi-monthly pet food bank at a “human” food bank partner in 2013, in the effort to keep pets fed in their own loving homes. We found that the interest and needs were significant, so we quickly ramped up to four monthly pet food banks in 2014. In 2018, CPP became its own 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, with the goal of ensuring that all families in a neighborhood have the resources to consistently feed their pets, keeping them out of shelters. The needs grew exponentially in the pandemic in 2020. Many partners have joined the Colorado Pet Pantry in the effort to keep pets in their loving homes, including human food banks and resources, pet food stores and suppliers, animal shelters, spay and neuter services, foundations and corporate supporters. Now, in 2022, Colorado Pet Pantry is the largest organization of its kind in the US, distributing pet food at 105 monthly pet food banks in 29 Colorado counties and assisting more than 100 animal rescues with food and supplies throughout the whole state of Colorado. We are constantly adding new locations and partners. We help pets stay with their families – keeping them out of the shelter. The Colorado Pet Pantry currently has 11 staff members, more than 750 volunteers, and is building out and updating organizational systems to provide comprehensive support for its programs, staff, volunteers and partners.

About the Position 

The Colorado Pet Pantry’s Senior Director of Operations is a new role and will be an exempt, full-time position that plays a pivotal role in team management, logistics planning, tactical management, as well as assisting with strategic operations engagement and development, in support of CPP’s mission, vision and strategic goals. As a member of the senior leadership team, this individual will be hands-on helping operations throughout Colorado including pet food banks, the warehouse, events, and food transport, and also serving as a strategic thought partner to increase sustainability of the programs with the Executive Director, bringing strategic thinking to the intersection of key areas of operation during a period of organizational growth. This role will offer critical support to the Executive Director and the full CPP team. This role will oversee staff, policies and procedures, assist operationally, oversee staff, make programmatic and operational decisions with the Executive Director, and have fiduciary oversight. In collaboration with CPP’s functional Directors (the Director of Distribution Center and the Director of Administration), the Senior Director will help establish short- and long-term goals in line with organizational objectives and strategic plans, and develop budgets and policies to support the functional infrastructure for operations. This role will report to the Executive Director, the Sr. Director will likely supervise three or more direct reports in the near future. 

Essential Functions of the Job 

  • Team leadership 
  • In collaboration with Executive Director, plan and direct the organization’s operational policies, objectives, and initiatives
  • Tactical management. Be hands-on support where needed within the organization assisting with any role that has a gap or needs oversight
  • Establish short- and long-term goals in line with organizational objectives and strategic plans, including the expansion of current pet food banks and the reorganization of current pet food banks
  • Serve as a strategic thought partner with the Executive Director, bringing collaboration and insight to the intersection of key areas of operation during a period of organizational growth, offering critical support to the Executive Director
  • Develop budgets and policies to support the functional infrastructure for operations
  • Assist with logistics for all facets of CPP including pet food banks, pet food transport, material donation pickups, event planning, finance, personnel, etc.
  • Cultivate and maintain ongoing relationships with partners, donors, vendors
  • Participate in public events, media relations, public speaking, company functions as needed
  • Maintain a positive work attitude by acting and communicating in a manner conducive to good interpersonal relations (e.g., helpful, courteous, pleasant) with clients, all public, co-workers and managers, in accordance with the spirit of CPP’s mission
  • Conduct site visits throughout Colorado to ensure adjustments and oversight are completed
  • Performs other duties as assigned within the scope of the position

Qualifications 

  • Strong leadership skills, takes initiative, adaptable 
  • Strong diplomacy skills especially related to the needs of clients, employees, volunteers, partners, donors, and other stakeholders 
  • Ability to engage with executive team on matters of strategy and execution 
  • Strong budgeting and reporting experience    
  • Strong project management and presentation skills 
  • Ability to understand, assess and problem solve 
  • Ability to work collaboratively and effectively within a cross-functional team environment 
  • A drive to succeed and learn 
  • Marketing & website content creation background a plus
  • Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions

Required Education and Experience 

  • At least 3 years of experience working in an operations management or a program management role for a food bank, preferably with a human food bank, human services, veterinary clinic, animal shelter, related pet industry brand, retailer, service provider, or aligned nonprofit
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and high level of professionalism
  • Excellent project planning and organizational skills
  • Excellent group facilitation skills and diplomacy
  • Solution-oriented, able to recognize and resolve problems using sound judgment
  • Systems and process thinker with ability to solve complex problems and create order and consistency across the organization 
  • Strong public speaking skills
  • Technically proficient in Microsoft Suite and Google Suite, and a willingness to learn WordPress, Bloomerang (donor database), and a Custom CRM/Client Database

Preferred Education and Experience 

  • High School graduate or equivalent. Bachelor’s degree preferred

Additional Details 

  • Colorado Pet Pantry recognizes that the team members we hire come from all walks of life. We believe that people from underrepresented backgrounds not only help us to be stronger, but also allow our team to connect, belong, and grow. If you share our values and our desire to build meaningful, diverse, and lasting relationships, we highly encourage you to apply. 
  • If you don’t meet 100% of the criteria above but are interested in the role, please apply. No one checks every box and we are open to a bold, talented individual who might have related transferable experience

Work Environment 

  • Hybrid onsite (Denver/Englewood & Boulder) and remote work environment 
  • Workforce passionate about pets and advocacy   
  • Team environment 
  • Professional, yet fun atmosphere

Physical Demands 

  • Ability to work extended hours, as needed 
  • Ability to stand, bend and lift packages, up to 50 lbs. repeatedly in a variety of climates and environments
  • Ability to travel regularly, typically once a week to a Front Range destination for the day (Denver-Englewood-Boulder-Longmont-Loveland-Pueblo), occasional overnight travel within the state of Colorado
  • Ability to attend and assist at fundraising and outreach events (occasional evenings and weekends)

Pay & Benefits 

  • $70,000 annually
  • PTO and Sick Leave
  • Flexible schedule 
  • In accordance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, the approximate annual base compensation range is listed above. The actual offer, reflecting the total compensation package and benefits, will be determined by a number of factors including the applicant’s experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity among our team.  

This Colorado Pet Pantry job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice. All employees report to and perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor. 

At The Colorado Pet Pantry, we celebrate and welcome diversity within our workforce. We strive to hire from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives because we know we are a stronger advocate for others when all voices are represented. 

The Colorado Pet Pantry is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes qualified applicants without regard to age, race, sex, color, religion, national origin, disability, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable state or local law. 

How to Apply 

  • Please submit a resume and a cover letter explaining your interest in the position to Eileen Lambert, Executive Director, eileen@coloradopetpantry.org

Summary 

All job requirements in the job description provided indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills, and/or abilities deemed necessary to perform the job competently. Job descriptions are an overview of the duties, responsibilities and requirements of the position. Employees may be required to perform other job-related assignments as requested.