Executive Director

Executive Director – Purrfect Pals

Location: Arlington, WA

Salary Range: $95,000-$105,000

Benefits: Health Insurance, PTO, Sick Leave, Holidays, Professional Development

Reports To: Board of Directors

Schedule: Full-time; Hybrid on-site 4–5 days/week

Application Instructions

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter to edsearch25@gmail.com. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and interviews will begin in September. Applications received via Idealist will not be reviewed.

Organization Overview

Purrfect Pals is Washington State’s first no-kill shelter dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and adoption of cats, including those with major medical needs, chronic illnesses, and behavioral challenges. We aim to ensure every cat has the opportunity for a safe, healthy, and loving home. Our organization supports, treats, and adopts out hundreds of cats each year with the help of passionate, dedicated staff and volunteers and long-time, loyal donors. We believe that every cat matters and is deserving of a forever home.

Position Summary

The Executive Director (ED) is responsible for overall strategic leadership, fundraising, operations, and community engagement. The ED acts as the public face of the shelter, leading a collaborative team of 20+ employees and 250+ volunteers and fostering a culture rooted in compassion, transparency, and excellence in animal care.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategic Direction

• Collaborate with the Board to lead and execute the organization's mission, vision, and strategic goals.
• Inspire, empower, and support staff and volunteers through servant leadership, transparency, and accountability.
• Promote a culture of compassion, inclusion, respect, and continuous improvement.
• Build alliances with local governments, animal welfare agencies, and community organizations.
• Build relationships with individual donors, corporate sponsors, foundations, and grant-makers.
• Act as a primary spokesperson and advocate for the organization in the community and with stakeholders.
• Champion public education efforts around cat welfare and responsible pet ownership.

Operations & Facility Oversight (in cooperation with the Operations Director)

• Oversee day-to-day operations, ensuring the shelter meets high standards in animal welfare and customer service.
• Manage all aspects of facilities, including maintenance, safety, and capital improvements; be willing to pitch in and “get their hands dirty”, as needed.
• Develop and implement operational policies and systems.
• Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal laws and codes.

Financial Management (in cooperation with the board and Finance Director)

• Participate in the development of annual budgets.
• Manage the annual budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility and long-term financial health.
• Report regularly to the Board on financial performance and strategic priorities.
• Ensure strong financial controls and policies are in place and actively followed.
• Ensure all financial filings are timely processed.
• Ensure compliance with state and federal laws and guidelines.

Human Resources & Organizational Culture

• Passion for cats and Purrfect Pals mission.
• In-depth knowledge of animal welfare and nonprofit management best practices.
• Recruit, retain, and mentor new and existing staff.
• Promote a positive, safe, collaborative, and equitable workplace.
• Facilitate professional development and growth opportunities for staff.
• Facilitate staff and board communication, rapport, and collaboration.
• Ensure compliance with state and federal employment laws and guidelines.

Development (in partnership with Development staff and the Development Committee)

• Lead fundraising strategies to diversify revenue and increase donor engagement.
• Set and track goals for annual fundraising and specific campaigns.
• Identify weaknesses in the current strategy and suggest improvements.
• Cultivate and steward long-term (and new) major donors.
• Have a basic understanding of the grant writing process.
• Ensure compliance with current state and federal fundraising filings and best practices.

We are interested in finding the best candidate for the job and may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Proven leadership experience (5-7 years) in nonprofit management or a related field, with demonstrated abilities in critical thinking, problem solving, and fostering inclusive and collaborative work environments.
• Strong interpersonal and team-building skills, including the ability to nurture positive internal communication, mediate conflict, give and receive feedback, and lead with compassion.
• A management style that puts people at ease, promotes trust and transparency, and builds a healthy organization culture aligned with the mission.
• Strong operational and financial management skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills (internal and external).
• Strong understanding of organizational systems.
• Passion for animal welfare and commitment to the organization’s mission.
• Proven ability to engage with and build strong relationships with major donors.

Desirable skills

• Prior experience in animal welfare, shelter operations, or veterinary care.
• CAWA (Certified Animal Welfare Administrator) certification
• Experience managing facilities or overseeing capital projects.
• Proactively manage the annual budget to ensure the financial health of the organization.
• Collaborate with the board on long-term financial sustainability, revenue generation, and translate strategic planning into meaningful forecasts.