Senior Director, Shelter Operations

Summary

Launched in 2014, the ASPCA Los Angeles Initiative layers policy work, inter‑agency partnerships and direct service programs to drive change for animals and the community. The Los Angeles Initiative is comprised of 80 people from more than a dozen departments, including annual grants of approximately $1 million. In addition to policy work, current direct services include kitten intake diversion, foster and adoption;

animal relocation; and veterinary services (spay/neuter and primary pet care).

The ASPCA’s Los Angeles work is crucially dependent on seamless collaboration and alignment both within the team and with our community partners, which include municipal shelters, non‑profits and policy makers.

Reporting to the Senior Director of the Los Angeles Initiative, the Senior Director of Shelter Operations is assigned primarily to support the ASPCA’s partnership work with Los Angeles City Animal Services (LAAS) and will work with LAAS leadership on‑site at the shelter locations. The focus is the implementation of a joint 3‑year plan for LAAS shelters, led by LAAS, and resourced and directly supported by the ASPCA and Best Friends.

This work aims to achieve the following goals at LAAS shelters:

• Intake community engagement, including efforts to support community cats;
• In‑shelter pathway planning to ensure animals receive timely, coordinated care and support, and that the shelters are operating within capacity for humane care; and
• Positive outcomes for animals by increasing adoptions, transfers, and other lifesaving placements.

The LA Initiative is seated within the Shelter Partnerships Department. The Shelter Partnership Department executes the ASPCA’s strategic approach by leveraging direct care, response work, and public influence to drive systemic changes that include improving animal welfare across our society. Our Shelter Partnership Team’s work focuses on strengthening shelter systems.

The LA Initiative Team leads high‑impact partnership efforts with Los Angeles area organizations, driving initiatives that improve shelter operations, enhance animal welfare, and support the achievement of key lifesaving goals. The team’s work requires strong cross‑functional collaboration, relationship management, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

In collaboration with the LAAS General Manager and cross‑agency leadership, this position implements programs and processes in service of the above‑mentioned goals. This includes providing shelter operations subject‑matter expertise on shelter programs for community engagement intake, animal pathway planning, and maximizing appropriate animal placements (adoptions, relocations/transfers, etc).

Working with the Senior Director, Los Angeles Initiative, and the Senior Director Shelter Medicine, LA, and other members of the ASPCA’s Los Angeles team and external agency partners, the Senior Director Operations will create and/or deliver trainings tailored to the needs identified within the LAAS shelter system.

The Senior Director Operations will provide iterative feedback on the workplan and its implementation, and routinely use data and analysis to inform next steps. This position provides a strategic perspective, thought leadership, project planning skills and tactical guidance relevant to plan implementation.

The Senior Director, Shelter Operations for the Los Angeles Initiative reports directly to the Senior Director, Los Angeles Initiative and has no direct reports. The position will be part of a team of two on‑site ASPCA staff members providing shelter operations and shelter medicine expertise to LAAS leadership.

This position is primarily onsite, with approximately 90 % of time spent across the six Los Angeles city shelters and about 10 % remote work. Regular travel between LAAS shelters and the remote work location is required. The position is currently funded for 3 years.

The standard schedule is Monday through Friday and generally aligns with shelter operational hours, though adjustments may be needed based on shelter needs. Scheduling will be coordinated between this…