Position: Chief Executive Officer
Department Executive
Reports To: Board Of Directors
Status: Exempt; Full-Time
Compensation: $170,000
This role is onsite, in-person, five days per week with evening and weekend events and responsibilities as needed.

ABOUT THE VIRGINIA BEACH SPCA (VBSPCA):
At the Virginia Beach SPCA (VBSPCA), we believe that human compassion is critical to the elimination of animal suffering. Through shelter operations and adoptions, income based public veterinary clinic services, educational programs, wildlife triage, and numerous animal welfare partnerships, the VBSPCA strives to create a more humane and responsible community. Our mission is to eliminate animal suffering and increase human compassion.

VBSPCA CULTURE AND VALUES STATEMENT:
At VBSPCA, we believe in the value of all living creatures and that the animal-human bond creates healthier, happier, more connected communities. We believe that a strong, values-based team is the foundation of our organization. We engage with one another with empathy—seeking to better understand and be understood by others—and joy, passionately sharing and promoting our mission. We are all dedicated and committed to our mission, our work, and ourselves, and we lead through collaboration, openly sharing our individual and collective expertise. We strive to be innovative and always evolving, and we are proud to be an integral and critical partner in animal welfare throughout the region of Hampton Roads.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:
The VBSPCA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) provides strategic direction, ensuring all animal welfare and humane education programs continue to grow in effectiveness, delivers sustainable financial support, and manages the organization’s human, financial and material resources all while guaranteeing the VBSCPA culture and values are centered in every activity and interaction across the organization and evident in community partnerships. The CEO is a visionary leader ensuring open shelter access while caring for almost 4,000 companion animals each year and the 74 staff who sustain the organization for the animals. The CEO will report directly to the Board of Directors through its Chair. The CEO leads the Executive Team consisting of Shelter Operations, Clinic Services and Medical oversight, Human Resources, Fundraising and Marketing, and Finance & Administration. The CEO oversees an annual budget of $7 million.

The ideal candidate is a strong and inclusive leader with a track record of listening, trusting the expertise of staff members, and leading a unified team that cooperates and collaborates across daily challenges and successes. They think creatively and infuse innovation across the organization; while managing data analysis to make informed decisions. They engage, include, delegate, and amplify others before themselves. This is a unique opportunity for an experienced, entrepreneurial leader to build on a solid foundation of success and sustainability and continue to deepen and broaden the impact for which VBSPCA is so well known.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT:

Build and execute the organization’s Strategic Plan, taking responsibility for managing the organization according to the identified objectives and goals, report results quarterly and make decisions necessary to achieve objectives.
Establish and maintain an effective organization and provide leadership to the Executive Team in managing daily operations while keeping a focus on key priorities necessary to carry-out the VBSPCA’s mission.
Provide executive oversight of the organization’s Shelter, Clinic, Mission delivery and Humane Education programs, working through the program managers to ensure that objectives are met in a timely manner with measurable results.
Develop annual business and operational plans, with key performance indicator targets, that are aligned with the organization’s Strategic Plan and annual budget.

FUND DEVELOPMENT:

In conjunction with the Chief Advancement Officer, CEO is responsible for all aspects of fund development - major donors, individual giving, grants, corporate sponsorships, foundations, United Way, and special events to include the pursuit of diverse funding sources, setting goals and raising funds to support the organization’s goals and exceed its annual operating budget.
Communicate the mission and priorities of the VBSPCA effectively and consistently to key supporters, make presentations to potential donors, and generate funds to support and grow the organization’s mission.
Provide leadership direction and support to the Development staff in analyzing fund development trends, employing best practices in fundraising, engaging the Board, and ensuring a broad and stable base of financial support.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:

Serve as the primary face of the organization in the community by increasing the visibility and awareness of the VBSPCA, its mission and programs, and providing reasons and opportunities for the community to become meaningfully engaged with VBSPCA.
Continually assess the organization’s role in the community and establish the VBSPCA as a leader on animal welfare issues and a critical member of the community.
In conjunction with the Marketing and Communications team, provide leadership in developing and implementing a robust brand awareness, marketing, and public relations plan and oversee implementation of strategic communications initiatives.

ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP & FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT:

Provide executive oversight of all internal functions; including but not limited to Shelter, Clinic and mission delivery programs, human resources, financial management and administration, fund development and community relations.
Ensure that organizational processes are best-practice, effective and aligned with community needs; seeking continuous improvement at all times.
Lead the preparation of annual budgets and financial reports to keep the Board of Directors informed about revenue and expenses, cash flows, unit costs of services provided, and the investment performance of the organization’s operating reserves.
Continue to pursue the organization’s forward-funding goals and assess risks and rewards of potential applications of operating reserves, including the assessment of facilities and space requirements.
Oversee internal policies, procedures and processes, and initiate changes as needed to maintain and enhance the organizational efficiency and effectiveness.

BOARD RELATIONS:

Work collaboratively with the Board of Directors to set strategic goals, review policies and procedures, and enhance human and financial resources to continue sustainable growth and success of the mission and the organization.
Support Board leadership in ensuring that Board membership is viewed as a highly desirable opportunity to provide voluntary leadership in a governance function and that the Board is diverse and representative of both the VBSPCA’s mission and the communities we serve.
Support Board leadership in maintaining the focus, structure and direction of the Board of Directors, by providing reports and other information in a timely manner, and by ensuring that Board committees are staffed and supported to meet the annual objectives set forth in the strategic plan.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel so classified.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Chief Advancement Officer
Director of Shelter Operations
Director of Finance and Administration
Director of Human Resources
Director of Clinic Operations
Medical Director

CORE COMPETENCIES:

Building Effective Teams
Business Acumen
Dealing with Paradox
Decision Quality
Ethics and Values
Managing Vision and Purpose
Motivating Others
Process Management
Strategic Agility

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

A Bachelor’s degree in a related field or comparable work experience, with an applicable graduate degree preferred
At least 5 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit field combined with a minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience
Long time experience in the strategic and financial management of organizations, including senior leadership positions in nonprofit organizations, agencies or in operating units of large for-profit organizations.
Significant nonprofit fundraising experience and demonstrated success in the management of complex budgets.
In addition to effective communications and interpersonal skills, maintain a positive professional culture by possessing the ability to inspire and motivate employees, community partners and donors to support the VBSPCA’s mission.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Master’s degree in related field
A strategic leader with both long-term vision and the tactical ability to sustain an effective organization
A leader experienced in nonprofit governance, either through voluntary service on nonprofit boards or through prior leadership roles reporting to nonprofit boards
An enthusiastic and successful fundraiser either through prior professional roles or related philanthropic engagement
A critical thinker capable of business analysis and planning and management of nonprofit finances
An exceptional communicator, motivator and leader of people capable of building and leading teams of professionals, engaging volunteers in meaningful work, and building strategic alliances with other nonprofits, community and national organizations.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS:

Ability to communicate effectively in English.
Ability to be around animals and wildlife, including those undergoing medical care
Ability to perform all aspects of job duties independently
Ability to use a computer and other standard office equipment
Ability to move throughout the building as needed throughout the day
Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, in a fast –paced setting

HOW TO APPLY

VBSPCA has retained the executive search firm LeaderFit to lead this search. Candidates should share an updated resume and brief cover letter outlining their interest in the role and upload it to the LeaderFit system.

Virginia Beach SPCA is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against candidates or employees based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, military status, veteran status, genetic history or any other protected status. Virginia Beach SPCA encourages all qualified individuals to apply.

At LeaderFit, all candidate materials are reviewed by experienced humans, never by AI. We believe that evaluating leadership potential, lived experience, and alignment with mission and culture requires human judgment, insight, and care. We leverage AI in other ways to ensure efficiency, optimized research, and allowing LeaderFit staff to focus on what humans do best, which is connecting, engaging, and building community.