Executive Director
The Organization
Second Chance Pet Adoptions is a no-kill, private, managed-admissions animal rescue organization with a history dating back to 1987, when Cheri Sowter, Deborah Ruggero, and Judy Benrud committed themselves to helping homeless animals in the Triangle. They began by fostering the stray cats and dogs they would find until word got around, and other people who found strays would bring them to Second Chance. As their efforts grew, they built a “cat condo” and dog pen in their own backyards.
Judy and Cheri had ties to The College of Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University and were able to get donated time from some vets and vet students. In 1989, they decided to apply for non-profit status and became a true 501c3 rescue organization. They began recruiting volunteers to assist with animal care and screening applicants.
Other volunteers began fostering animals, raising funds, and introducing rescued animals to potential permanent homes. Throughout this time, Second Chance had relied on foster homes for all the animals in its program. However, as Second Chance continued to grow and create more programs, a cageless no-kill facility to house cats was opened in February 2004.
Second Chance will continue to partner with its extended family of supporters, volunteers, and other rescue groups to work toward the common goal of no more homeless animals.
The guiding principles on which Judy, Cheri, and Deborah founded Second Chance continue to this day. The central principle is that Second Chance makes a lifetime commitment to each of the animals it rescues, retaining the option of taking them back in the event the new home cannot keep them. All rescued animals will receive the medical care they need, will be shown unconditional love, and will be carefully matched with the best homes for their needs in order to ensure a lifetime of safety, love, and companionship.
You can learn more by visiting: https://www.secondchancenc.org/
The Position
The Executive Director is the chief executive of Second Chance and is responsible for providing strategic leadership and vision to champion homeless cats and dogs in the quest to find their forever homes, while overseeing the organization's administration and programs. The Executive Director leads a team of six full-time staff members, two part-time staff members, and over 600 volunteers to ensure the provision of essential services on a daily basis, safely and effectively. They report to a 10-member Board of Directors and will directly manage a Director of Operations and a Director of Development.
The ideal Executive Director will be a strategic, critical, and creative thinker capable of guiding the organization to be more proactive in its mission to find homes for cats and dogs who are healthy or treatable and to promote responsible pet ownership. They will bring a dependable presence and an organized approach to every task. The Executive Director will be a vocal advocate on behalf of homeless animals, a sought-after partner for other community organizations, and an adept fundraiser.
Core Responsibilities
The Executive Director will partner with the Board of Directors to guide the strategic direction of the organization, providing both high-level leadership and hands-on management to ensure operational excellence. Primary responsibilities include:
- Leadership
- Staff Management
- Financial and Operational Oversight
- Fundraising and Resource Development
- Community Relations
- Board Relations
Required Attributes, Skills, and Qualifications
The Executive Director must be deeply committed to the organization’s mission of helping homeless cats and dogs find loving, permanent homes. They should be prepared to lead both strategically and operationally—working closely with staff and stakeholders to ensure the mission is carried out in daily practice—and possess a variety of attributes, including the following:
Education and Experience
- Progressive executive leadership experience, preferably within a nonprofit, shelter/rescue, or animal services setting.
- Demonstrated success in leading initiatives that achieve operational excellence.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and develop a motivated and talented team, set clear expectations, and delegate workflow effectively.
- Proven track record in financial resource development, successfully cultivating and soliciting major contributions/grants, growing earned revenue, and leading organizations to financial success.
- Demonstrated experience in strategic planning and execution.
- Significant fiscal management acumen and experience in budgeting, forecasting, and reporting.
- Familiarity with relevant laws and regulatory frameworks at the local, state, and federal levels, especially those related to nonprofit management and animal care.
- Established community connections or the ability to quickly develop them, with a talent for forming strategic alliances and identifying shared resources to support organizational goals.
- Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent combination of skills and experience.
Additional Preferred Qualifications
- Minimum experience of two years in the animal rescue and services space is strongly preferred.
- Broad understanding of the regional animal welfare ecosystem, including public agencies and nonprofit organizations.
- Demonstrated strong understanding of and a commitment to a collaborative, all-hands-on-deck approach.
- Experience serving as the primary spokesperson for an organization with an ability to motivate diverse audiences such as corporate executives, government officials, civic groups, faith-based organizations, and community groups.
- Experience in negotiation and collaboration, skill in developing and maintaining effective partnerships, and an understanding of and commitment to community-based collaboration.
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Humility, the ability to seek feedback, and the initiative to seek out continued personal and professional growth.
- Flexibility, the ability to pivot quickly when circumstances change, maintain focus under pressure, and balance multiple priorities with composure and empathy.
- Experience managing emotionally demanding environments and handling conflict constructively.
- Track record of creating infrastructure that prevents burnout and supports long-term staff engagement.
Schedule and Location
- Full-time, salaried position expected 40+ hours per week.
- Hours are 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday, with the ability to respond to emergencies or time-sensitive matters on evenings and weekends as necessary.
- Ability to accommodate early-morning or after-hours meetings due to donor schedules.
- Office space will be available on-site at Second Chance Pet Adoptions.
- ADA-compliant office setting.
- Regular local travel is required; one must have a clean driving record and the ability to drive a personal vehicle for work-related activities.
- In-person position.
Compensation
Second Chance is committed to attracting an extraordinary leader for this position through a compensation package that includes a salary in the range of $100,000 to $115,000. Benefits include, but are not limited to, employer-paid vision and dental insurance, simplified employee pension plan (SEP), paid time off starting at 15 days per year, and nine paid holidays. Relocation assistance is not available.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
Second Chance Pet Adoptions provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Second Chance Pet Adoptions prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and makes all employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, political affiliation, affectional orientation or gender identity, status with regard to public assistance, disability, sex, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
To Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume by July 16, 2025, by applying HERE. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Questions: [email protected]
Second Chance Pet Adoptions
6003 Chapel Hill Road, Suite 133
Raleigh, NC 27607
