Working Group Summary: The Shelter Collaborative is a strategic working group within the Best Friends Programs division that is a key peer to peer program to help shelters mobilize to assist one another to achieve our 2025 goal. Best Friends Program work prioritizes organizations who have the most animals at risk to save the most lives.

Location: Remote (Must be able to travel 50% of the time)

Hiring Range: This position will start at $78,000 annually, depending on experience.

Position Summary: The Senior Strategist is responsible for key aspects of the Shelter Collaborative Program including but not limited to: goals, strategy, grants, budget and partnerships. The Senior Strategist develops new relationships and maintains existing relationships. Will consult with partners on proven practices and strategies, as well as recruitment.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

Provide thought leadership, strategy, business planning, and tactical guidance ensuring shelter collaborative maximizes value towards Best Friends strategic plan and goals; stay abreast of external changes in animal welfare and community support systems; work with leadership to support the Sanctuarys value and contributions to organizational objectives.

Lead strategic cohort for shelter collaborative partners to interact and provide guidance and comradery to support one another short and long term through their lifesaving evolution.

Lead key relationships for mentors and fellows in collaboration with Best Friends road map, strategy and priorities including drafting and oversight of partnership grants and agreements, identifying gaps where other Best Friends programs support are needed.

Develop and oversee budget and partner costs; support the coordination between partners and program.

Ideal candidate is comfortable working alone and with a team; can lead projects independently when needed. Comfortable working along side shelter directors and in a fast paced, shelter environment.

Lead by example through direct and impactful personal and organizational contributions towards Best Friends no-kill 2025 goal; act with urgency and efficiency on behalf of animals still at risk of being killed in shelters across the region and the country; lead teams in their important role as ambassadors representing Best Friends mission and in achievement of its no-kill goals.

Participate in the development of lifesaving goals as well as any other quantitative and qualitative measures of success; lead the execution strategies and programs to achieve those lifesaving goals through general management of the Shelter Collaborative.

Skills and Experience:

• Previous senior level management experience in animal shelter operations required
• Comfortable creating and driving forward big picture strategy to connect with more shelters faster
• Strong interpersonal skills, a team player, upbeat, energetic, tactful, and diplomatic, able to get along with people from diverse backgrounds, as well as the ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations.
• Excellent communication skills, public speaking, and presentation experience.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products including Trello.
• Ability to travel 50% of the time
• Valid driver's license with a 3-year clean driving record.

After applicants accept an offer of employment in writing, they will be asked to provide Covid-19 vaccination status information pursuant to any applicable policies in place at the time of hiring.

Thank you for your interest in pursuing a career at Best Friends Animal Society. Best Friends Animal Society is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, or domestic partner status.

Applicants for employment in the US must have valid work authorization that does not now and/or will not in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the US by Best Friends Animal Society.