Description
A Special Organization; A Unique Opportunity
Creating A Better World for Pets and Their People
Our Mission
South Suburban Humane Society is dedicated to promoting the well-being of pets and the people who love them in the Metro Chicago region. Through the care and sheltering of animals needing protection, providing pet care resources to our communities, promoting the human-pet bond through adoption services, and targeted, high-impact spay/neuter policies, and a low cost community veterinary clinic, the South Suburban Humane Society will make every effort towards ending pet homelessness, reducing pet overpopulation and creating a better world for pets and their people.
Our Culture
Since the organization’s founding in the garage of a local woman in 1970, South Suburban Humane Society’s success is due largely to a spirit and culture of heart, grit, tenacity, and an expectation that everyone is willing to roll up their sleeves and do whatever must be done to accomplish the mission, every day. The 2022 completion of a remarkable Animal Resource Campus which features a gleaming 19,000 sq. ft. state of the art shelter and medical facility is the capstone of this can-do attitude and SSHS’s passion for providing quality care to animals and the community.
The Board of Directors and staff leadership foster a positive workplace culture with high expectations of performance coupled with the inspiration and support necessary to achieve it.
Our Next Great Leader
The former CEO left a remarkable 17-year legacy on which the next leader will build this special organization; advance the mission to new heights; optimize the impact on animals, people and the community; and shape the future of animal welfare in the Metro Chicago region.
The Board of Directors seeks a bold, creative, and resourceful leader to forge the next chapter in the organization’s remarkable story This is a rare opportunity for an exceptional executive to make a transformative imprint on a vital organization and build a lasting legacy.
The Animal Resource Campus offers the potential to optimize the impact of the organization led by a new Chief Executive Officer with vision, strategic acumen, and demonstrated drive for results.
We seek a leader who can demonstrate:
- A deep passion for the welfare of animals and the specific mission and programming of SSHS
- Visionary leadership that inspires and motivates the board, staff, volunteers, donors, and the community to work smarter, dig deeper, invest more, and champion the organization to grow its base of support
- Sound and creative strategic thinking and the capability to drive effective strategy implementation
- A humane, inclusive leadership approach that demonstrates respect and support of staff and volunteers and engenders high performance and accountability
- Success at continuous quality improvement and assurance, innovation, and industry best practices.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, belonging, and inclusion
- Pristine personal and organizational integrity and transparency
- Composure under pressure, adaptability, and resilience
- Strong relationship-building and stewardship acumen to deepen and broaden the SSHS donor base and community collaborations
- Fundraising skills in seeking individual gifts, donor campaigns, corporate support, and fundraising events
- Exceptional oral and written abilities effective to diverse audiences
- Understanding of and commitment to the organization’s managed-admission, quality of life, lifesaving policies and practices
Key Focus Expectations
Optimize Human Resources
o Build a strong and effective senior leadership team aligned with the vision, mission, and objectives of the Board and CEO
o Recruit, hire, train, and support people who are passionate about the mission, capable of high performance, and share the can-do spirit of the organization
o Build and maintain a positive, supportive workplace culture
o Support staff in dealing with the joy and the heartbreak of animal sheltering
o Identify and cultivate future leaders to ensure consistency in future succession opportunities
Expand Financial Resources
o Optimize service revenue from Low Cost Veterinary Clinic and High-Volume Low Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic
o Grow revenue from the SSHS Resale Shop
o Build a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization
o Expand donor base and increase donated revenue
- Hire talented development/fundraising director
- Build an effective advancement operation
- Be directly involved in major gift prospect generation, solicitation, and stewardship
- Engage with the community and the media as the public face and chief spokesperson for the organization, seeking opportunities to grow awareness of the organization
o Maintain and expand relationships and success with grant-making organizations, including but not limited to PetSmart Charities, Petco Love, Bissell Foundation, and Best Friends. Pristine financial and budgetary management and stewardship
Visioning, Strategy, and Planning
o Engage with board and staff to envision SSHS’s future, develop effective strategies, and develop and implement plans with urgency.
Other Duties and Responsibilities
- Develop annual operating budgets and business plans with senior leadership team and present to the board for input and approval
- Ensure compliance with all local, state, and Federal laws, regulations, and requirements
- Ensure optimal effectiveness and impact of animal pathways, lifesaving programs, medical clinics, and community outreach efforts
- Work with shelter and medical leadership to develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures to ensure uniform quality of care and periodically verify compliance with industry best practices
- Develop effective performance metrics, data collection and analysis, and accountability processes
- Work with Director of Shelter Operations to manage municipal contracts and relationship with Cook County Animal Control.
- Encourage and support the SSHS Diversity, Equity, Belonging, and Inclusion Committee
- Engage with the Chicago Lifesaving Coalition and other industry organizations and leaders
- Maintain a strong and transparent relationship with Board of Directors
Salary and Benefits
Salary range for this position is $110,000 - $125,000
Paid holidays and PTO
Employer-sponsored health, dental and vision plans
Access to 401(k) plan (unmatched)
Employee Assistance Program
Access to low cost veterinary care for personal pets
Relocation assistance available
The Organization
Founded 1970, 501c3 tax-exempt Illinois Charitable Corporation
7 member board of directors
$4.5 million annual budget
60 employees
Located 40 minutes from Chicago, easy access to Interstates 57, 80, and 294
4 miles from Matteson Metra commuter rail station, terminus at Millennium Station in the LOOP
Economically, ethnically, and racially diverse region with easy access to Chicago, highly livable suburban communities with many amenities, good public schools; small town and rural living options in vicinity
Campus located in idyllic wetland reserve with pond, native plants, wildlife, walking trails, and easy connection to Illinois Biking Trail system and close to Cook County Forest Preserve trails and outdoor amenities
Requirements
Qualifications and Requirements
- BA/BS
- Advanced degree in nonprofit management, business, or related field preferred
- CAWA preferred
- Animal welfare professional with at least 5-7 years of progressive senior leadership experience; or 10+ years of nonprofit senior leadership experience and demonstrated commitment to SSHS mission
- Experience working with a Board of Directors
- Annual and long-term planning experience
- Effective budget and financial management experience
- Working knowledge of major technical workplace platforms
- Valid driver’s license
- Flexible work schedule to include evenings and weekends as needed to represent SSHS
- Periodic travel to attend events, conferences, and meetings
