Senior Regional Director of K9 Programs - K9s For Warriors Inc

K9s For Warriors is the nation’s largest provider of service dogs to veterans suffering from the invisible wounds of war, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Our unique, in-house program helps change the lives of American heroes by pairing them with a battle buddy, who was likely a rescue dog and then teaching him or her to utilize that dog to mitigate the symptoms of their wounds. In order to continue the great work we are doing, we are in need of a Senior Regional Director of K9 Programs to join our amazing team!

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Senior Regional Director of K9 Programs will be responsible for planning, directing and coordinating all K9 programming across multiple campuses. They will oversee leadership policies and leadership control over all operations within their region of responsibility. The ideal regional leader will be a motivational leader with the ability to inspire and develop top-performing professionals within their markets. Under the general direction and supervision of the Chief Program Officer (CPO), the Senior Regional Director of K9 Programs is a leader within the K9s organization who will guide operational success across multiple locations within assigned markets, seamlessly translating K9s For Warriors canine strategy into tangible action and translating overall business strategy into market execution while providing coaching and feedback to onsite leaders. This leader will work with cross-functional teams to identify and implement continuous improvement strategies, partnering with peer leaders to ensure consistency between markets. With fingers on the pulse of assigned market(s), your insight will be instrumental in shaping strategies that align with K9s corporate goals with the intention to drive our business forward, fostering a culture of excellence and growth within your teams and the broader company. This position will be at the forefront of K9 operations, guiding strategy and teams toward new heights and ensuring alignment with K9s vision and mission.

The Senior Regional Director of K9 Programs is responsible for directing strategy and execution to various programs-specific teams including K9 Training (training, behavior modification, enrichment, Puppy Program), Kennels (kennels, veterinary), and Procurement & Placement (procurement, adoptions, fosters, alternative placement), and Station Dog Program.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Leadership

• Leads confidently by taking personal responsibility for decisions and actions.
• Formulate regional objectives and strategies aligned with K9s mission and vision, driving practical actions.
• Lead and motivate teams across assigned campuses, fostering a high-performing culture that prioritizes consistent application of canine program tenants and collaboration.
• Oversees leadership of daily operations, ensuring smooth and consistent processes to maximize productivity.
• Initiates and displays an openness to change to obtain and sustain key business initiatives.
• Actively promotes teamwork by creating a culture and environment that supports individual and team empowerment.
• Confronts conflict directly and objectively with a goal of resolution for all parties.
• Participate in the management of assigned regional campus budgets, contributing to the overall organizational financial health.
• Understanding of local market trends, delivering valuable insights for company-wide strategies.
• Ensure assigned campuses adhere to departmental and corporate policies, maintaining standards across the board.
• Nurture relationships with stakeholders and clients, enhancing K9s quality reputation.
• Ensure a culture where effective teamwork, communication, collaboration, diversity, innovation, and inclusion are expected, recognized, and rewarded.

Strategic Thinking

• Translates corporate strategy into actionable plans at the regional level.
• Thinks strategically to ensure alignment between the organizational direction and local operations, thereby promoting healthy growth and consistency across the region.

Effective Communication

• Promotes open, candid information sharing across organizational boundaries.
• Builds consensus among diverse groups for the purpose of meeting business objectives.
• Presents ideas and complex material clearly, concisely, logically and persuasively both orally and in writing.
• Ensures timely, appropriate and effective communication with stakeholders.
• Applies contemporary technical concepts and best practices to canine operations.

Analysis/Problem Resolution

• Finds and acts on new opportunities, eliminates barriers to change and unneeded bureaucracy.
• Makes sound business decisions based on limited, complex or contradicting information and ethical principles.
• Integrates new ideas and contemporary approaches into problem solving
• Works effectively in group problem solving situations, building consensus and collaboration.

Results Orientation

• Sets challenging, measurable project goals that are aligned with broad organizational strategies and departmental business objectives.
• As opportunities arise, reengineers business processes and improve organizational effectiveness by proposing and implementing change initiatives required to improve efficiency, streamline operations and meet current and future business needs.

Financial Acumen

• Possesses a strong understanding and practical knowledge of financial management and the ability to make data-driven decisions is critical.
• Contributes to K9s overall financial health through the implementation and management of assigned budgets.

Public Relations & Outreach

• Represents K9s For Warriors as the chief spokesperson with respect to the programs department and all teams therewithin.
• Works with various departments (Development, Corporate Partners, Station Dog) to coordinate attendance of outreach events and assist with effective community relations.
• Develop new relationships with local and regional shelters and veteran service organizations as well as maintain existing relationships; provide education and understanding of the K9s For Warriors mission as it relates to each organization and as internal procedures are updated.

Professional Development

• Keeps abreast of trends and issues in the animal welfare, service dog, and veteran service organization fields.
• Networks with professional organizations and participates in continuing education; maintains relevancy of all currently held certifications.
• Develops and maintains working relationships with various animal care organizations and other industry leaders.

Canine Operations

• Work with the CPO to create strategic direction for the canine operations program.
• Develop and lead implementation of strategies within Procurement and Placement, Kennels/Veterinary, K9 Training, and Puppy Program teams designed to improve K9 graduation success.
• Develop and implement operational standards for all assigned areas.
• Create, update, and maintain all standard operating procedures for each facet of the programs department as they apply to the K9 Training, Puppy Program, Kennels/Veterinary, and Procurement & Placement; provide input to other departments, including Warrior Operations, Warrior Training & Education, Station Dog, and Development to align strategies and streamline procedures.
• Ensure all procedures, policies, and protocols are current with best practices and all updates are distributed to the appropriate teams; facilitate effective and efficient implementation of policies.
• Maintain databases (Smartsheet, SharePoint, Salesforce) as they apply to dogs both onsite (in-training, career changed, station dog) and exited (adopted, transferred, graduated); understand each dog individually to determine the most appropriate pathway for each dog as new behavioral or medical updates arise.
• Work with the veterinary team to ensure all animal care and medical programs are administered humanely.
• Maintain evidence-based animal welfare and training standards, human measures, and responsible practices.

Additional Responsibilities

• Maintain professional appearance and ethical conduct.
• Follow all K9s For Warriors policies and procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Understanding of, and ability and willingness to uphold the mission of K9s For Warriors.
• Bachelor’s degree in applied animal behavior, animal-assisted therapy, biology, zoology, business administration or related field.
• Minimum ten (10) or more years of experience in training services, assistance, guide dog or related canine professional setting strongly preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of leadership experience, preferably in a regional position.
• Nonprofit experience preferred.
• ADI certification experience preferred.
• Experience in veteran service organizations preferred.
• Experience with program development and management.
• Advanced understanding of canine behavior and learning theory and modification techniques, service dog training, positive reinforcement-based training (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA)), and CPDT-KA/CBCC-KA or equivalent preferred.
• Demonstrable leadership skills with a track record of managing, motivating, and developing high-performing teams.
• Effective communicator.
• Ability to lead in a changing environment.
• Proven ability to develop and implement strategic plans that align with company goals and drive quality and growth.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively liaise between corporate headquarters and assigned campuses.
• Strong problem-solving abilities with a keen eye for detail and the ability to make data-driven decisions.
• Solid understanding of financial management principles and the ability to analyze financial data and to collaborate with CPO on budget planning and management.
• Willingness to travel frequently within assigned regional territory to foster relationships, oversee operations, and ensure policy compliance and consistency across campuses.
• Proficiency with Salesforce preferred.
• Must have a valid Driver’s License and ability to drive a company vehicle.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Leadership of Groups
• Integrity
• Initiative
• Adaptability
• Identification with Management
• Result Oriented
• Planning and organizing

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Requires frequent lifting (50 pounds), bending, reaching, standing, walking, stooping, crouching, and the like regularly throughout a work shift. Requires exposure to communicable diseases, bodily fluids, chemicals, odors, sounds, inclement weather, and other conditions common to a shelter environment.