Executive Director (Must have 10+ years of management for $5M+ budget and shelter experience)

Executive Director (Must have 10+ years of management for $5M budget and shelter experience)

The Opportunity

The Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF) seeks a visionary Executive Director with a successful track record in inspiring and managing staff, leading fundraising and donor cultivation, overseeing operations and a multi-million-dollar budget, and engaging the board, volunteers, and the broader community. We seek a leader devoted to animal welfare and excited to lead SASF through the most ambitious chapter in our history.

As we enter our next decade, SASF is well-positioned for growth. We have a strong $7–$8 million operating model, a dedicated staff and volunteer corps. The next Executive Director will partner with the Board of Directors, a future Development Director, and an outside capital campaign consultant to lead the multi-year capital campaign that brings the new facility to life — while continuing to drive day-to-day operations, fundraising, and donor stewardship.

About Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation

Located on the East End of Long Island, SASF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, open-admission, no-kill shelter that relies on the generosity of donors and volunteers to care for homeless animals and place them in loving forever homes. We provide abandoned animals with housing, food, medical treatment, training, and rehabilitation. For 16 years, since the Town of Southampton eliminated its municipal shelter, SASF has served a community of 17 hamlets and 6 incorporated villages across more than 140 square miles. We also rescue dogs from kill shelters and dire situations across the country.

SASF operates a 13,000-square-foot facility in Red Creek Park in Hampton Bays, NY and runs a low-cost veterinary clinic that provides medical evaluations, general care, spay and neuter services, microchipping, and vaccinations. With an annual operating budget of approximately $7 million and a forthcoming capital campaign for a new shelter, SASF is at the most exciting and demanding point in its history.

The Position

The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and financial health of SASF. Working closely with the Board Chair, the Director of Operations, the Shelter Director, and other senior staff, the Executive Director sets strategy, leads day-to-day operations, drives fundraising, and serves as the public face of the organization. The Executive Director also plays a central role in the planning and execution of the capital campaign for the new shelter.

This is a hands-on leadership role. The Executive Director will be visible inside the shelter and out in the community — not behind a desk. They will set the tone for a respectful, mission-driven workplace and will be held accountable by the board for results.

Key Responsibilities

LEADERSHIP, CULTURE, AND PEOPLE MANAGEMENT

• Directly lead, develop, and inspire a senior team that includes the Director of Operations, the Shelter Director, and other department leaders.
• Motivate staff and volunteers to do their best work, encourage teamwork, and foster an environment that promotes excellence, open communication, problem-solving, and new ideas.
• Promote a workplace culture of respect, fairness, and accountability across staff and volunteers.

BOARD RELATIONS

• Embrace the board’s role in setting vision, governance, and oversight — and translate the board’s vision into clear strategy and disciplined execution.
• Cultivate a close and collaborative relationship with the Board of Directors and the SASF’s Advisory Board, leading the implementation of their vision, incorporating their ideas, and leveraging their networks.
• Communicate openly and frequently with the board, sharing successes and surfacing challenges in a timely, transparent manner.

FUNDRAISING, COMMUNICATIONS, AND THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

• Partner with the Board of Directors and an outside capital campaign consulting firm to plan and execute the multi-year capital campaign for the new shelter in Hampton Bays.
• Serve as SASF’s primary fundraiser, leading efforts to cultivate and steward relationships with major donors, foundations, corporations, and government partners.
• Personally own and protect SASF’s most important donor relationships, treating each as a long-term partnership.
• Work closely with the future Development Director to expand individual giving, events, grants, and earned revenue.
• Serve as the public face of SASF — raising the organization’s profile with donors, the media, and prospective supporters across the Hamptons and beyond.

BUDGETING AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

• Develop, propose, monitor, and report on the board-approved annual operating budget of approximately $7 million.
• Work with the Board Chair and senior staff to establish a financial strategy aligned with SASF’s mission, ensuring fiscal responsibility, balanced budgets, attainable revenue projections, and continued financial growth.
• Collaborate with accounting and audit staff to oversee revenue and expense budgets, audits, accurate financial reporting, and data integrity, including monthly reconciliations.
• Ensure department leaders understand their budgets and that processes support proper tracking of income and expenses.
• Develop and sustain key performance metrics that hold leadership accountable for departmental performance and drive efficiencies in staffing and purchasing decisions.

OPERATIONS AND FACILITY MANAGEMENT

• Provide leadership and primary responsibility for the efficiency and impact of all operations and service areas.
• Oversee all elements of Human Resources, including payroll, benefits, compliance, and a healthy workplace environment.
• Manage the facility, including communication with the Town of Southampton and oversight of contract renegotiation to ensure SASF’s interests are served.
• Ensure SASF complies with federal, state, and local statutes and operates according to best practices and in keeping with its mission.
• Identify potential risks and opportunities to protect SASF’s interests, particularly given growing demand and resource pressures across the field.

COMMUNITY RELATIONS

• Maintain strong relationships with the Town of Southampton, elected officials, peer animal welfare organizations, and key community partners.
• Lead campaigns to engage community members and partner organizations to recruit volunteers and advocate for the welfare of animals.
• Build SASF’s visibility and goodwill across the 17 hamlets and 6 incorporated villages of Southampton and beyond.

Ideal Experience and Qualifications

The ideal candidate brings the following experience and qualifications:

• A minimum of 10 years of progressive senior-level leadership and management experience in a nonprofit or for-profit organization. Candidates from either sector will be considered; what matters most is demonstrated leadership of people and operations.
• Direct experience managing a budget of at least $5 million; experience at or near SASF's scale ($7 million) preferred.
• A clear record of career progression and stability — meaningful tenure in prior roles, with evidence of promotion or expanded responsibility within organizations. Frequent short-term moves will be carefully examined.
• Proven success leading and developing teams of staff (not solely contractors or vendors), including in environments with multiple departments and diverse roles.
• Strong financial management and analytical skills, with a track record of balanced budgets, sound forecasting, and disciplined operations.
• Successful fundraising experience with measurable results — including major donor cultivation, foundation and corporate support, and government funding. Capital campaign experience is a significant plus.
• Experience working closely with and reporting to a board of directors, and a demonstrated willingness to be held accountable.
• Personal commitment to animal welfare; direct shelter, sanctuary, or adoption center experience is a plus but not required.
• Superb verbal and written communication skills.
• A bachelor's degree required; an MBA, MPA, or other relevant master's degree is a plus.

The Person

Beyond the resume, the next Executive Director will be:

• Deeply committed to animal welfare and to the staff and volunteers who selflessly care for animals every day.
• A true partner to the Board of Directors — embracing the board’s vision and translating it into clear strategy and disciplined execution.
• An inspiring leader who motivates staff to set ambitious goals and brings out their best.
• An effective fundraiser, energized by the work of building and deepening donor relationships.
• Hands-on, energetic, and visible — present in the shelter and the community, committed to fostering a workplace culture of trust, transparency, and mutual respect.
• A great team player and team leader who shares credit, owns mistakes, and brings staff along with warmth and respect.
• A natural engager of volunteers, welcoming them as ambassadors, advocates, and contributors to SASF’s success.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range is $175,000 to $200,000, commensurate with experience. Benefits include health insurance and paid time off. It is not typical for offers to be made at or near the top of the range. Salary offers are based on a range of factors, including relevant skills, training, experience, education, and, where applicable, licensure or certification. Market factors are also considered.

This is a full-time, in-person, exempt role based at SASF's facility in Hampton Bays, New York.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should email their resume and a cover letter to Katherinewdefoyd@gmail.com with “Southampton Animal Shelter — Executive Director” in the subject line. To be considered, applications must include a cover letter addressing the candidate's fit with the key qualifications and the qualities described under “The Person.”

Equal Opportunity Statement

Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, military and veteran status, genetic information, or any other factor protected by applicable law.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should email their resume and a cover letter to Katherinewdefoyd@gmail.com with “Southampton Animal Shelter — Executive Director” in the subject line. To be considered, applications must include a cover letter addressing the candidate's fit with the key qualifications and the qualities described under “The Person.”