Executive Director

EASEL ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POSITION

THE OPPORTUNITY

EASEL Animal Rescue League in Ewing, New Jersey, operates under the motto "Every Animal Should Enjoy Life" and is looking for a dedicated Executive Director passionate about animal rescue. Founded in 2008, EASEL aims to lower euthanasia rates for unwanted animals in Mercer County by fostering collaborations and building community partnerships. It has gained national recognition as a model for a rescue-driven municipal shelter and is Mercer County’s only no-kill facility. Working closely with Ewing Township, EASEL has seen significant success with its Trap/Neuter/Return Program and recently reached a milestone of 11,000 adoptions. Its annual budget of approximately one million dollars is funded through adoption fees, grants, and support from individuals and corporate donors.

EASEL has been effectively managed for the past 18 years by its founder and the next board president, with board members serving as governance leaders and as volunteers at the shelter. As the Board transitions from direct management to governance and strategic oversight, it is seeking a skilled executive to lead the organization through this period of reorganization and growth.

The organization employs four full-time and ten part-time staff dedicated to rescuing animals and securing loving homes for them. An active volunteer group of about 100 people supports all aspects of the organization, including greeting at the shelter, fundraising, and event planning. The Board remains committed to its vision of building a new 10,000-square-foot shelter on more than five acres of land. The executive director will focus on collaborating with the Director of Development and the Board to lay the groundwork for this project.

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES:

In partnership with the Board, the Executive Director provides leadership to the shelter and support to the Board, staff, and volunteers. The Executive Director will serve as an agent of change, guiding the shelter's shift from a board-led structure to one led by an executive with excellent management skills, high emotional intelligence, and strong critical thinking and decision-making abilities. The ideal candidate is a diplomat, a fair yet decisive leader of high integrity, an educator, and a leader capable of making difficult decisions when necessary. The Executive Director must be adept at diagnosing organizational issues, resolving conflicts, and applying sustainable management practices.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Ensure Quality Services:

• • Ensure a welcoming, respectful, working environment for all staff, volunteers, and the community
  • Maintain and coordinate service evaluations, feedback, and statistics, and conduct assessments of key services to ensure the shelter meets the highest standards in animal care and sheltering
  • Develop and implement a system of administration and record keeping for all projects and programs
  • Cultivate and maintain strong working relationships with the Ewing Municipal Corporation and proactively develop partnerships with municipalities throughout the county to enhance collaboration, increase community support, and expand organizational impact.

Staff Supervision:

• Strengthen organizational culture by setting clear expectations, providing regular feedback, and addressing performance issues promptly and fairly
  • Recruit, hire, supervise, and manage key shelter staff as well as maintain and grow volunteers
  • Conduct evaluations of key services, programs, and administrative staff
  • With senior staff, oversee the recruitment and development of volunteers, and ensure that volunteer committees are well managed and on task with EASEL’s goals

Financial Management:

• • Develop annual budgets, financial reports, and draft audits with the Finance Committee
  • Monitor budget compliance with the Board Treasurer and maintain tight fiscal controls

Fundraising Oversight:

• • Support the Development Director by collaborating to develop strategies that set the stage for a capital campaign.
  • Oversee the successful coordination and execution of fundraising events and grant applications
  • Build and maintain relationships with prospects, funders, and donors in partnership with the Development Director and the Board

Marketing/Communications and Community Engagement:

• • Supervise publicity, public relations, social media, websites, and marketing for all services and events
  • Review all program materials, including flyers, brochures, the website, and social media, for accuracy, overall integration, and marketability
  • Liaise and network with the community, serving as an ambassador for EASEL, and reaching out to other organizations for potential partnerships with EASEL to present programs to a wider audience

Board Responsibilities:

• • Attend Board of Directors meetings, and partner with the work of key Board Committees
• Partner with the Board of Directors in strategic planning, including business plans, and streamline and improve overall operations of shelter and programs, and plans for a new shelter
  • Perform all other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Board
  • Clarify the governance partnership: Support the Board in clarifying roles and responsibilities, and in adopting governance practices that promote accountability, transparency, and effective oversight

Qualifications:

• • Passionate about animals and animal welfare
  • BA degree in a related field and at least 10 years of nonprofit and fundraising experience, preferably working with animal welfare.
  • Proven skills in staff supervision and retention, program initiation and development, and administrative and budgetary experience
  • Experience with managing board committees and leading teams
  • Demonstrates skills in oral and written presentations and computer competency
  • Detail-oriented and highly motivated to achieve
  • Commitment to EASEL’s mission and core values as a no-kill animal shelter

To apply for this position, please submit a resume and cover letter to the

Executive Director Search Committee at EASELexedirector@gmail.com. The salary range is $115,000 to $135,000, depending on executive-level experience.

• Please note that resumes without cover letters will not be reviewed.

Statement of non-discrimination:

EASEL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.