The Position
The Animal Services Operations and Programs Director sits within the Community Services Department, reports to the Deputy Community Services Director, and will serve as a co-director alongside the Medical and Welfare Director, who oversees the shelter's veterinary care, population management, and Animal Control. Candidates who are comfortable with shared leadership arrangements and who build strong alignment with peers will be well-suited for this role.
The Animal Services Operations and Programs Director is primarily responsible for overseeing the external-facing operations of the Animal Center, with primary responsibility for customer service, facility operations, and foster, transfer, and volunteer program management, ensuring these functions operate at a consistently high standard and that program goals are resourced, tracked, and met. A significant portion of the role involves monitoring shelter performance data and operational metrics to drive continuous improvement across intake diversion, placement outcomes, and high-quality customer service. The Director also carries the primary administrative and fiscal responsibility for the Center, including budgeting and records management in compliance with county, state, and federal requirements, as well as hiring, onboarding, and performance management for their team.
The Operations and Programs Director leads a team of 25 FTEs with four direct reports covering Community Outreach (Volunteer, Foster, and Transfer Programs), Customer Experience and Administration, and Animal Welfare Attendants and Adoption Support. The Volunteer Program supports the many volunteers who spend more than 23,000 hours per year providing dog walking, cat cuddling, matchmaking, enrichment, administrative support, and more. The Foster Program provides seven-day-a-week support for fosters who take in kittens too small for the adoption floor, dogs in need of heartworm treatment, post-surgical recovery patients, and animals that are too stressed to thrive in the shelter environment. Last year, we averaged 313 animals in foster every month, and our goal is to grow this program to 400 active foster homes. The Transfer Program coordinates the support of local, state, and national rescue groups that take animals requiring more medical or behavioral support than the Animal Center can provide, as well as freeing up space on our crowded adoption floor. Last year, transfer partners took approximately 1,600 animals from the Animal Center, and we hope to grow this program to return to the prior numbers of 3,000 animals being transferred out each year.
The Operations and Programs Director works alongside the Medical and Welfare Director, jointly developing long and short-term plans, sharing program goals and performance metrics, co-designing standard operating procedures and disaster preparedness plans, and ensuring consistent public communication on animal services matters
The Operations and Programs Director is responsible for the Animal Center's community relations, representing the Center in meetings with government officials, civic organizations, and partner agencies, and overseeing adoption-focused social media and outreach efforts. Internally, the Director works closely with County leadership on budget development, including presenting and justifying expansion requests, analyzing program costs and revenue streams, and reviewing fee structures. Wake County is currently designing a new Animal Center facility, and the incoming Director will play a role in shaping how that space is activated operationally.
Qualifications
Minimum requirements include a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Animal Science, or a related field, and six years of senior management experience, which may include previous experience as a nonprofit CEO or Executive Director, Deputy Director, or management-level experience in animal center operations. At least two years of direct supervisory experience is required, as is a valid driver's license with a safe driving record. Wake County accepts an equivalent combination of education and experience to meet minimum qualifications.
Preferred qualifications include four or more years of supervisory experience and a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) designation.
Compensation and Benefits
The expected hiring range is $101,817 to $142,541, depending on qualifications. Wake County offers a comprehensive total compensation package that reflects its commitment to recruiting and retaining exceptional public sector leaders. Learn more about our options and employee-based benefits here.
How to Apply
Applications will be accepted electronically by Raftelis at raftelis.com. Applicants complete a brief online form and are prompted to provide a cover letter and resume. The position will be open until filled, with a first review of applications beginning July 24, 2026.
