Humane Society of Vero Beach & Indian River County

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Humane Society of Vero Beach & Indian River County Vero Beach, FL

MISSION The Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County makes a better community for its people and animals by: Providing humane care and shelter for homeless animals.

Placing adoptable pets in permanent loving homes.

Promoting spaying and neutering of companion animals.

Promoting responsible pet ownership and the respect for all life through humane education.

Protecting animals from cruelty.

Pledging to be advocates for animal protection.

BACKGROUND “Open Door. Open Heart.” is the motto of The Humane Society of Vero Beach & Indian River County (HSVB). Celebrating its 65th year of serving the animals and people of Vero Beach and Indian River County, HSVB is the only open admissions animal shelter in Indian River County that promises to accept all animals, regardless of age, health, behavior, or adoptability. Situated on 38 acres, 30,000 sq. ft. facilities (which include two buildings), a barn and exercise fields provide a full range of services to keep animals “out of the Shelter” and in loving homes. Approximately 5,500 animals are processed through the shelter on an annual basis.

machine, ultrasound machine and a laser therapy machine ensure that animals get the best care possible. The Community Vet Clinics operate in four areas of the County where veterinary services are not easily accessible.

These Clinics assist the low-income pet owner with age-appropriate medical and dental wellness exams and will provide round-trip, free transportation to the Wellness Clinic for spay/neuter surgeries. Further, Free Vaccination events occur once a year help keep dogs and cats safe from disease.

HSVB offers the community a variety of programs and is deeply committed to ensuring that the human-animal bond is nourished for all individuals and pets that they serve. Keeping pets with their families regardless of the economic status of the owner is extremely important to the Humane Society. HSVB offers pet owners an array of affordable veterinary services at the expanded Miriam D. Oberkotter Clinic. State-ofthe-art equipment such as a new x-ray

Because of its coastal location, HSVB has become integral in the rescue and shelter for animals affected by the recent hurricanes. In fact, HSVB will shelter other animals in need such as livestock, birds and exotics. Further, HSVB distributes emergency evacuation brochures throughout the County each year so that the message “If You Go, They Go” reaches each and every pet owner.

A successful new program launched in

2017, “Play Dogs Play” uses structured and purposeful play among shelter dogs and new arrivals to teach positive behaviors and lessen stress within the Shelter.

HSVB is a leader in humane education in that it collaborates with many schools, libraries, daycare centers, senior citizen centers, medical facilities and social clubs, providing information on many topics in the animal welfare field. It also offers seventeen specialized programs for youth including introduction to veterinary care, animal photography, cat care, first aid and CPR for animals.

In 2001, the Board of Directors formed a separate support corporation, The Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County Foundation to build a financial base that is available to assist in funding annual operational needs as well as the maintenance and replacement of the Shelter’s facilities and capital assets. The Foundation has approximately $6M in assets and allocates about $300,000 to the Shelter annually.

ABOUT VERO BEACH Vero Beach is the county seat of Indian River County, population approximately 150,000. Located between Melbourne FL and West Palm Beach, FL, Vero Beach has its own airport and is only 43 miles from the Orlando Melbourne International Airport in Melbourne, FL. With its beautiful coastal location, Vero Beach is considered

one of the best small towns in America and has activities for every member of the family. Whether you enjoy golfing on one of its 10 courses, visiting the Vero Beach Museum of Art or McKee Botanical Gardens or even snorkeling for sunken treasures, Vero Beach has activities for every interest.

THE OPPORTUNITY HSVB enjoys a positive reputation within the community, Florida and nationally and is recognized as one of the top five nonprofit organizations in the area.

It is an optimal time for a new Executive Director to take the helm as they have been in a transition due to recent leadership changes. With Board enthusiasm for change and innovation, the new Executive Director will have the opportunity to plan and execute new and exciting programming to enhance the adoptions, health and well-being of the community’s animals.

Further, the new leader will be charged with assessing all operations, procedures and policies to ensure that they are the most up-to-date and within animal welfare industry standard.

The new leader will have the responsibility of re-energizing a staff that has gone through changes and significant turnover. A review of staff benefits, protocols and policies must be a priority for the new Executive Director so that there is strong staff accountability and improved communications among all lines of staff. Senior management needs direction, coaching and mentoring so that they can be empowered to manage their own direct reports.

In conjunction with the Board of Directors, the new Executive Director will be charged with executing the strategic plan for the Shelter and Clinic. As stated above, the expanded Miriam D. Oberkotter Clinic has the capability of assisting many animals who have profound health issues however a business plan must be put in place so that the Clinic operates at its capacity with a balanced budget. Further, the Clinic is staffed by two contracted veterinarians. The new Executive Director will need to examine this structure and determine the best configuration for Clinic operations.

Vero Beach is considered by many as a philanthropic community yet with pockets of deep poverty. There is an opportunity to increase both the organization’s

visibility among key donors and to generally broaden the base of support resulting in increased financial gains. At this point, direct mail solicitation is handled inhouse reaching approximately 6,000 names. Currently, there are about 3,500 active donors. Although not a prime responsibility of the Executive Director, the new leader will work with the Board of Directors and the Director of Development to increase both the visibility of the organization but also its donor base.

CORE COMPETENCIES SHELTER AND CLINIC EXPERIENCE Provide leadership and oversight to all shelter and clinic operations; generate new ideas to increase the adoption rate and community awareness. Lend first hand operations experience and knowledge to a dedicated and committed staff so as to increase their skills in animal handling and care. Keep abreast of all components of new animal welfare programs in order to continually strive to become a leader in the field. Offer advice and guidance on the interactions between the shelter and clinic so that the health of shelter animals is monitored on a daily basis. Ensure that the Wellness Clinic is functioning at the highest standards in order to continually provide the community’s animals with optimal care.

LEADERSHIP Serve as an effective advocate for animal protection and care; ensure the mission, programs and services are consistently presented with a strong, positive image; manage the consistent and timely progress of the strategic plan to achieve the organizations mission. Expand awareness with the greater community and the public; network with the community to build coalitions. Develop and implement goals, objectives and priorities for HSVB programs; ensure that all programs maintain high quality delivery. Demonstrate high standards and inspire staff, employees and volunteers. Maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in the field.

ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT Create a

quality team through effective hiring, training and management; foster a climate of supportive collaboration and problem solving; facilitate staff meetings to gather input, training and updates.

Direct and coach senior staff as well as shelter and clinic staff. Manage work performance standards and reviews; coach, inspire and course correct; implement HR functions including compensation, compliance, hiring and staff development. Ensure the health, well-being and timely adoption of shelter animals. Recommend and administer processes, policies, and procedures to all staff and volunteers subsequent to Executive Committee/Board of Directors approval. Ensure that staff performs duties and responsibilities in a safe and prudent manner; hire and manage all vendors and outside services for completion, quality and budget.

BOARD RELATIONS Work with the Board of Directors to implement strategic plan; identify short-long term objectives and requirements, policies, program goals and objectives. Maintain communication with the Board President and the Executive Committee on all critical issues. Assist in identifying and recruiting new Board members, whose abilities are congruent with the needs and mission of the Shelter.

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY Oversee the HSVB budget and business plans and ensure sound fiscal management and capital allocation. Collaborate with

the Finance Committee to coordinate annual budgetary planning and tracking, monitoring budgets, keeping records, preparing reports, managing financial statements and reconciliations.

Participate in preparing and submitting annual reports summarizing operations with quarterly performance measures; prepare for and support the annual external audit.

PUBLIC RELATIONS AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH Serve as a spokesperson for HSVB and effectively represent its goals and mission to individuals, private foundations, government leaders, the media, sponsors and donors to attract the widest interest and support. Ensure that HSVB is represented locally, regionally and nationally at coalitions, membership organizations and other humane field associations. Interpret and enforce local ordinances, State statues, regulations, and policies governing animal control and protection; maintain official records and documents records.

FUND DEVELOPMENT Act as HSVB’s chief outreach advocate and monitor fundraisers to ensure the organization meets financial targets. Set development goals, strategy; report progress to the Executive Committee and the Board; guide and mentor Board Members’ active involvement in development and volunteer activities. Develop, cultivate and maintain relationships with individuals, foundations and corporate supporters/sponsors.

THE POSITION Reporting to the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is responsible for the oversight of HSVB, which includes administration of all programs and services. The Executive Director will develop and oversee a budget of $3.45M. Additionally, the Executive Director is responsible for the strategic processes of the organization, managing and developing a talented paid staff of 50 and more than 577 volunteers. The

direct reports for the Executive Director are currently the Chief Finance Officer, Director of Operations, Director of Development and Marketing, Director of Animal Protection Services, Director of Education, Director of Volunteers and Director of Retail Sales.

The Executive Director will assist the Board in the execution of the strategic plan as well as the development of tactical directions and policy in the

fulfillment of the agency’s mission. This individual is responsible for the overall management and operation of HSVB in compliance with Board-adopted policies and with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations and laws. The Executive Director provides a leadership role in initiating and maintaining community relationships and securing the operating funds necessary to sustain current and future operations.

THE PROFILE We seek a highly experienced leader and manager with demonstrated vision and passion for the humane and ethical treatment of animals. A successful track record of strong, innovative and inclusive leadership, which will facilitate open communication to harmonize staff, the Board and the other constituents with whom he/she will interface, is sought.

Experience in a senior leadership role where he/she has either reported directly to or worked closely with a Board of Directors is expected. The ideal candidate will bring extensive and innovative operations experience from a humane society or animal control facility. The person we seek should demonstrate a balance between creative thinking and management acumen as well as the ability to assess and maintain policies and procedures for moving an organization to a new

level of excellence. Qualified candidates will have exceptional interpersonal skills and will be able to relate to all constituencies. This individual has demonstrated success in building and sustaining coalitions toward the achievement of goals.

The successful candidate will have significant financial management experience as well as an understanding of development activities, including securing major and planned gifts from individual donors, foundations and corporations.

Knowledge of business principles applied to a nonprofit enterprise, including a background of good budget management, is necessary.

We seek an exceptional communicator who can demonstrate a successful background in external relations, including experience speaking with the media in a variety of situations. This

person will be articulate and passionate about the humane treatment of animals and will welcome and respect the multiple perspectives and groups that demonstrate an active interest in animal welfare.

Personnel management skills that include an ability to work collaboratively, listen, provide feedback, build morale, delegate, “roll up one’s sleeves” and make decisions are essential.

The candidate should be motivated by the best interests of the organization and will bring high emotional intelligence to effectively continue the organization’s transition to a highly effective operation.

Demonstrated success managing change, planning, forecasting and determining courses of action is needed.

An undergraduate degree from a fouryear college or university is required.

CAWA certification is helpful.

HOW TO APPLY Applications and nominations are being received by Noetic Search. Please click here to submit a current resume and cover letter. For more information, visit www.noeticexsearch.com or www.hsvb.org.

Noetic Search 150 N. Michigan Ave. Suite 2800, Chicago, IL 60601 (312) 863-8577 Humane Society of Very Beach and Indian River is an Equal Opportunity Employer