Managing Director (Chief Operating Officer)
Lead one of the country's most innovative animal welfare organizations. Help redefine what an animal shelter can be.
At Friends For Life, we don't simply rescue animals—we redesign systems.
We pioneered Houston's first no-kill shelter, developed nationally recognized programs that keep pets with the families who love them, mentor shelters across the country, and continually ask a simple question:
How can we save more lives tomorrow than we saved today?
We're looking for an exceptional leader who thrives in fast-moving environments, loves solving difficult problems, and believes compassion and accountability belong together.
This position isn't about maintaining the status quo. It's about helping build the future of animal welfare.
As Managing Director, you'll serve as the organization's operational leader, translating vision into execution while ensuring every department has what it needs to succeed. Working closely with the Executive Director, you'll oversee day-to-day operations, strengthen organizational systems, remove obstacles for department leaders, and ensure Friends For Life continues to innovate while remaining financially strong.
If you enjoy building teams, improving systems, making difficult decisions, and helping great people do their best work, we would love to meet you.
What You'll Lead
You'll directly supervise Friends For Life's Senior Leadership Team and other key staff members, including:
- Animal Pathways Director
- Animal Welfare Director
- Behavior & Training Director
- Development Director
- Full-Charge Bookkeeper
- Office Manager
- Volunteer Manager
What You'll Do
Lead People
Great organizations are built by great teams.
You will coach, mentor, and develop department leaders while creating a culture of trust, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. You will facilitate leadership meetings, conduct performance reviews, resolve conflict, and help every leader grow into the strongest version of themselves.
Turn Vision Into Reality
Ideas matter. Execution matters more.
Working alongside the Executive Director, you will translate organizational vision into measurable goals, priorities, and action plans. You will help departments establish meaningful metrics, monitor progress, and ensure every initiative moves Friends For Life closer to its mission.
Build Better Systems
You are energized by making organizations work better.
You will identify inefficiencies, remove barriers, improve workflows, and help create systems that allow our staff to spend less time fighting processes and more time saving lives.
You will cultivate a culture where problems are solved—not simply discussed.
Protect Financial Health
Mission success requires sustainability.
Working with the Executive Director, you'll oversee budgeting, financial planning, and organizational performance. You will participate in monthly financial reviews, analyze trends, monitor key metrics, and help ensure Friends For Life remains financially healthy while continuing to grow its impact.
Drive Strategic Initiatives
Some projects don't fit neatly inside one department.
You will lead cross-functional initiatives, oversee strategic projects, coordinate implementation across teams, and ensure major organizational priorities are completed successfully and on time.
Strengthen Communication
Healthy organizations communicate well.
You will help ensure staff understand where the organization is headed, why decisions are made, and how every department contributes to our mission. You will facilitate quarterly State of the Organization meetings and foster an environment built on transparency, collaboration, and shared purpose.
Keep Us Looking Forward
Animal welfare continues to evolve.
So do we.
You will stay informed about emerging trends, encourage thoughtful innovation, evaluate new ideas using data, and help Friends For Life remain one of the industry's leading innovators.
What Makes You Successful
We're less interested in where you've worked than in how you lead.
You are someone who:
- Naturally develops leaders rather than simply managing employees.
- Makes thoughtful decisions, even when information is incomplete.
- Balances compassion with accountability.
- Loves solving complex operational problems.
- Thinks strategically while paying attention to details.
- Communicates with clarity, honesty, and empathy.
- Can juggle multiple priorities without losing sight of the mission.
- Builds trust quickly across teams.
- Remains calm under pressure.
- Enjoys continuous improvement and is not satisfied with "good enough."
Qualifications
Preferred qualifications include:
- Bachelor's degree in business administration, Nonprofit Management, or a related field.
- Significant leadership experience, preferably within nonprofit organizations or animal welfare.
- Experience overseeing budgets, financial planning, and organizational performance.
- Strong project management and organizational skills.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities.
- Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change and build high-performing teams.
- Creative, strategic thinking combined with strong execution.
- Passion for animal welfare and alignment with Friends For Life's mission.
- Knowledge of shelter operations, canine and feline behavior, or the animal welfare field is a plus.
Working at Friends For Life
Shelter work is meaningful, challenging, and sometimes unpredictable.
Everyone here is expected to pitch in wherever needed. While you'll have defined responsibilities, you will occasionally find yourself helping outside your department because that is what serving animals requires.
Some weekends and holidays are required.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary: $75,000 annually
Benefits include:
- Paid time off
- Medical stipend
- Pet benefits
- The opportunity to help shape one of the nation's most innovative animal welfare organizations
About Friends For Life
Founded in 2002, Friends For Life introduced the no-kill shelter model to Houston.
Today, we are much more than a shelter.
We help families keep the pets they love. We pioneer original approaches to animal welfare. We mentor organizations around the world. We test ideas, measure results, and share what works because we believe every community deserves better solutions for animals.
Our guiding principle is simple:
Every Animal Matters.
Our core values are:
- Courage
- Integrity
- Compassion
- Team Orientation
- Innovation
- Evidence-Driven Approach
- Evidence- Driven Approach
If you're looking for a comfortable job, this probably isn't it.
If you're looking for meaningful work, exceptional colleagues, and the opportunity to help change the future of animal welfare, we would love to hear from you.
To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter through Indeed.
Friends For Life is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Together, we can build a world where Every Animal Matters.
Pay: $70,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
