Manager, Embed Project Operations (Travel Based role)

You’ve spent years improving the animal shelters you’ve worked in - leading teams, inspiring change, and saving lives. Now, imagine doing that on a national scale. 

 

Join the National Shelter Embed Team  

We're a dynamic group of professionals working side by side with animal sheltering agencies across the U.S. to implement proven strategies and save more lives. This job isn’t a manager in the traditional sense - it’s about managing change. You’ll be embedded in shelters, helping build stronger systems, improve outcomes, and create lasting impact. It’s hands-on, collaborative, and deeply rewarding. 

 

Life on the Road 

• Remote-based, but travel-heavy (up to 90%).

• Typical deployments range from 2–12 months (yes, your pets may come!).

• Travel and relocation costs are covered by Best Friends (but you'll need your car). 

• Short breaks provided between deployments to recharge and prep for the next project. 

 

What You'll Do 

• Collaborate with shelter staff to implement customized action plans. 

• Strengthen shelter programs like playgroups, pathway planning, biosecurity, field services, and more. 

• Advocate for modern policies with local stakeholders. 

• Be the reason animals get a second chance.

 

Who You Are 

• A seasoned animal shelter professional with practical experience managing teams across the full spectrum of shelter operations. 

• Adaptable and confident, with a knack for resolving conflict and building trust.

• Drive meaningful and sustainable change through influence and mentorship.

• Equally at ease cleaning kennels or presenting to city councils.

• Thrive in dynamic, mission-driven environments where collaboration is key.

 

Got grit, heart, and the skills to drive change in shelters across the country? Let's talk. 

 

Location: Remote, but deployed or traveling up to 90% of the time. 

Hiring Range: This position’s hiring range is anticipated to be $74,000 to $80,000 annually, depending on experience, plus great benefits. 

This is an ongoing program, and interviews will occur weekly until the positions are filled. 

 

Skills and experience:  

• 5+ years of experience working within animal shelter(s) garnering a comprehensive understanding of proven animal sheltering and field operations strategies to increase dog and cat lifesaving is required. 

• At least 3 years of demonstrated management experience in a shelter environment, including overseeing staff, implementing lifesaving strategies, and driving change management initiatives. 

• Experience facilitating play groups and monitoring dog to dog interactions is strongly preferred. Dog behavior knowledge and experience with dog training in a shelter environment is a plus. 

• Strengths and experience in utilizing statistical information to inform, develop, and implement division and department-level strategic plans, including change management strategies and program direction; proven attention to detail with advanced organizational and time management skills.  

• Prior experience, comfortability, and understanding of diplomacy needed when working with internal and external stakeholders, including those in government offices. 

• Bi-lingual or multi-lingual skills preferred, but not required. Ability to understand and converse in conversational Spanish preferred. 

• Customer-centric, non-judgmental approach to engaging with adopters, partners, visitors, volunteers, and colleagues; familiarity and comfort with nonjudgmental philosophies.  

• Excellent leadership skills with the ability to act decisively with a get-it-done attitude in difficult and fast-paced situations; strong interpersonal skills and a proven ability to initiate and influence change; a team player, upbeat, energetic, tactful, and diplomatic, able to get along with people from different backgrounds, as well as the ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations.    

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with public speaking and presentation experience. Ability to professionally advocate Best Friends’ positions on issues; experience in supporting, engaging with, and developing relationships with volunteers and donors. 

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products; familiarity with shelter software/animal management software, or desire to learn, comfort learning new systems, including online information systems.    

 

Physical Requirements:  

• Must be able to routinely lift 50 pounds.  

• Extended periods of time working on the computer with repetitive typing, arm, and hand motion.    

• Ability to be in a shelter environment and work in the presence of both cats and dogs, including organizations where cats and dogs are currently being killed for space.    

• Bend, stoop, reach, climb, twist, crawl, stand and walk for an extended period.   

• Must be able to work in weather with temperatures varying between extreme hot and extreme cold.   

• Able to work varying hours, which may include early morning and/or late evening hours.      

• Ability to travel via various forms of transportation.  

• Must have a valid driver's license for at least 3 years, ability to qualify to be added to Best Friends insurance, ability to travel and/or drive on behalf of Best Friends, including overnight stays, when needed.   

• Frequent extended travel and on-going temporary relocation is part of this role.   Travel is expected to be up to 90%.

 

About Best Friends

Best Friends recently received a 2022 Top Workplaces USA award from Energage. Visit the Best Friends Animal Society page on the Energage Top Workplaces award winners’ site here to learn more. Not only do we take pride in cultivating a welcoming and supportive community and culture for our employees, but we also offer competitive benefits that make it easy to see why we were granted such an awesome award! We offer competitive pay including the opportunity to receive a discretionary bonus based on performance. We offer medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, short and long-term disability, paid family leave, dependent care reimbursement, pet sitting reimbursement when traveling for work, flexible spending account, and health savings account. We offer generous paid time off up to 9 hours per month for full time employees, nine paid holidays annually, auto insurance discount, and legal and identity theft coverage.  For added well-being support, we offer Pawternity Leave for employees to have time to care for their personal pets, mental health support, and an employee assistance program. We also offer a generous 401k savings plan. Do you want to love where you work and make history and end the killing of shelter pets? Look no further and apply today! 

Thank you for your interest in pursuing a career at Best Friends Animal Society. Best Friends Animal Society is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, or domestic partner status.

Applicants for employment in the US must have valid work authorization that does not now and/or will not in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the US by Best Friends Animal Society.