Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer for Pets for Life, Inc.

Pets for Life, Inc. was founded in 1984 by William and Harriet Snyder and is Kansas City’s longest standing local pet therapy non-profit organization.

The mission of Pet for Life, Inc is to enhance the physical and emotional well-being of people in need of comfort through interactive visits with certified therapy teams of pets and their human volunteers  Currently, Pets for Life has over 100 dedicated volunteer teams (dogs, cats, rabbit and mini horses) visiting over 100 facilities in the Kansas City area (Smithville to the north, Warrensburg to the east,  Louisburg to the south and Lawrence to the west).

A part-time paid position requiring 20-25 hours per week, this is a public facing role and represents Pets For Life, Inc. to our volunteers, facilities and the broader community. The Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer (ED/COO) reports directly to the Executive Committee and is responsible to the Board of Directors. The ED/COO has the authority for implementation of resolutions and directions from the board. Further responsibilities include the supervision and management of PFL volunteers and administrative staff. The ED/COO will implement and manage the overall strategic and operational plans for Pets for Life, Inc. 

The main responsibilities include leadership and management, communication and marketing, fundraising and planning and new business. 

Responsibilities
 
Leadership and Management

• Oversee and support volunteer process coordinator where needed.  Supply forms and data to the staff for implementation to the databases/metric reporting
• Accountable for operating according to the strategic plan and defined PFL objectives.
• Reports monthly metrics to the Board of Directors. Reports to include but not be limited to volunteer and facility numbers, new facility requests, new volunteers per month, inactive volunteers, recertifications, incidents, upcoming events, fundraising opportunities, and ad-hoc reports as requested.
• Oversee and support the engagement and participation of the PFL the committees: Operations, Funding, Education/Programs and Publicity. Recruits leaders/team members to ensure committees remain active and purposeful to the PFL mission. 
• Present to the board on a quarterly basis the status of committee objectives, upcoming activities and participation needs / expectations for upcoming quarter and key metrics as defined by executive committee. 
• Regularly review the paid evaluators and the testing process. Propose updates as needed and obtain board approval prior to publication. 
• Oversee testing dates and facilities per defined schedule ensuring calendar is updated with all events and locations.
• Oversee quarterly volunteer workshops per defined schedule. Responsible for proposing topics, speakers, venues. Implements with board approval. 
• Review forms, procedures, and manuals yearly to maintain up to date standards.
• Oversee the new volunteer process:  orientation, pretest, certification, shadow visit, first visit. 
• Implements and oversees the Mentoring program for PFL volunteers. 
• Performs role within the scope of the By-Laws, standards, and processes as defined in the PFL Volunteer Manual. 
• Visit, evaluate or oversee the  facilities requesting volunteers. Regularly communicate with facilities waiting for volunteers. Actively pursues volunteer engagement. 
• Leads the investigations on reported incidents in accordance with defined standards.  Report findings to the Board and obtains board approval before closing out the incident.

• Maintain internal and external communications with volunteers and the Board.
• Send emails to volunteers for event sign up.
• Obtain topics for the quarterly newsletter, draft the letter and submit to President of the Board for review and approval
• Proposes updates to the PFL marketing presentation on an annual basis.
• Coordinate with the board for presenters to conduct informational presentations to requesting organizations or facilities or recruit volunteer to perform in your place.
• Update as necessary the PFL marketing flyer and brochure in accordance with PFL branding standard
• Responsible for the coordination and execution of the annual meeting/volunteer appreciation party.

• Responsible for the coordination and execution of events, fundraisers and the volunteer social gatherings
• Fundraising responsibilities include drafting “letters of intent’, application forms, etc. for grants and donations. Maintains presence as primary contact for PFL with tools such as Non-profit Hub. Works with executive committee to ensure applications are submitted within time frames defined by potential donor organizations.  Works with grant writers for PFL metric information.
• Maintains potential donor organization listing and tracks status of requests along with grant writer.
• Oversee thank you and acknowledgement letters to donors and memorial recipients.  Confirm database of donations is maintained.

• Reports quarterly to board the follow ups on new inquiries for expansion and volunteer involvement. 
• Propose and implement as approved: Opportunities for speaking engagements, press releases, TV/Magazine articles, Funding and donation opportunities, Opportunities for community involvement.

• Experience with non-profit organizations, ability to point to specific examples of having developed and operationalized strategies that have taken an organization to the next stage of growth.
• Understanding of animal assisted therapy and the requirements for certification/evaluation.
• Organization management with the ability to coach staff, manage and develop high performing committees, set and achieve strategic objective and manage a budget.
• Past success working with a Board of Directors.
• Strong marketing, public relations and fundraising experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, a persuasive and passionate communicator with excellent interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills.
• Ability to work with animals and their handlers.
• Strong computer skills.