Chief Operating Officer

LocationSan Francisco, CA 94103Date PostedJanuary 03, 2025Job ID12254Employment TypeRetainedScion Executive Search (SES) is thrilled to partner exclusively with theSan Francisco SPCA (SF SPCA)in their search for a highly collaborative, relationship-driven Chief Operating Officer (COO) to join their Senior Executive Team (SET). This dynamic role offers a rare opportunity to make a profound impact on animal welfare in California. As a hands-on leader with extensive hospital operations experience, the COO will play a critical role in advancing SF SPCA’s mission, driving results, and shaping the future of compassionate care. Based in the vibrant city of San Francisco, CA, this full-time, on-site position offers an impressive annual salary up to $300,000 DOE along with a comprehensive benefits package. This is more than a career move—it’s a chance to lead change and make a lasting difference.

ABOUT SF SPCA:
For over 150 years, the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SF SPCA) has been dedicated to ensuring the welfare of companion animals in the state of California by providing high-quality medical care, compassionate shelter, and adoption to loving homes – all to minimize suffering and enhance the human-animal bond.

POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a pivotal member of the Senior Executive Team (SET), working in close partnership with the CEO and Chief Medical Officer to elevate the organization’s operational effectiveness and amplify its impact. This role places a significant focus on empowering and supporting hospital operations teams, ensuring excellence in areas such as facilities, medical operations, supply chain, and environmental safety.

Reporting directly to the CEO, the COO will transform strategic goals into actionable outcomes by fostering collaboration, addressing complex challenges, and driving innovation to align operations with the CEO’s strategic vision. Success in this role hinges on the COO’s ability to lead with empathy, build trust across all levels of the organization, and inspire a diverse, multigenerational workforce.

The ideal candidate will combine a service-oriented mindset with a data-driven and inclusive leadership style, promoting a culture of curiosity, collaboration, and continuous improvement. By cultivating meaningful relationships and leading with integrity, the COO will ensure operational excellence while advancing the organization’s mission and values.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:Collaborate with the CEO and Senior Executive Team (SET) to drive annual strategic planning for organizational effectiveness and efficiency.Lead daily operations across key areas, including:Clinical Operations: Oversee veterinary hospital operations functions, ensuring quality medical care, efficient workflows, and cost management.Facilities Operations: Maintain high standards across all facilities.Supply Chain: Ensure efficient procurement and distribution.Environmental Safety & Health: Ensure compliance and promote a safe environment.Support strategic initiatives by defining goals, tracking progress, and maintaining timely communication with stakeholders.Build collaborative relationships with internal stakeholders, promoting a problem-solving mindset.Provide the CEO with project support, gathering information, and managing action items.Use data to inform decisions and encourage continuous improvement organization-wide.Lead and develop a high-performing team, fostering professional growth.Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and resource management for financial sustainability.Executive and Leadership Support:Collaborative yet decisive leader who builds strong relationships with staff of all levels. Uses qualitative input from staff and balances it with quantitative financial and operational data to advance the SF SPCA’s mission.  Assist in Board meeting preparations, manage confidential records, and support development-related events.Identify inefficiencies, collaborating with SET on solutions for improved operational effectiveness.Guide SET in setting goals and tracking key performance indicators (OKRs/KPIs).Manage large cross-functional projects, convening key stakeholders to drive decisions.Develop standard operating procedures to ensure quality across internal operations.Diversity, Inclusiveness, and Safety:Foster a culturally competent and inclusive workplace, supporting diverse recruitment.Encourage open communication, establish psychological safety, and uphold safety standards.Support a clean, healthy work environment and address any safety concerns promptly.Customer Service and Volunteer Engagement:Provide exceptional service to all stakeholders and recognize volunteer contributions.Physical and Work Environment Requirements:Work primarily in a shelter/animal hospital setting with physical activity and exposure to animal allergens.Available for weekend and evening work as needed.Reporting Relationships and Contacts:Reports to the CEO, partners with the Chief Medical Officer, and supervises leaders in Facilities, Hospital Operations, Supply Chain, and ES&H.Essential Skills and Qualifications:Bachelor's degree required, MBA preferred, with 15+ years of management experience in relevant fields.Proven executive leadership in mission-driven organizations, managing budgets of $30M+.Data-driven decision-making with strong analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills.Experience in facilities, hospital operations, supply chain, and environmental health management.Commitment to the mission and values of SF SPCA.Proficiency with Microsoft Office productsCOMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
In addition to a competitive base salary up to $300,000 DOE, SFSPCA offers a very generous benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision, Commuter Benefits, HSA and FSA, EAP, 401K (with matching), Life & Disability insurance, additional benefits of; Legal shield, Employee Pet Food Programs, and Student Loan repayment program, 11 paid holidays, and competitive PTO.

TO APPLY:
SF SPCA has retained the services of Scion Executive Search, a national executive search firm specializing in mission-driven organization recruitment, to assist in conducting this important search. Please apply with your resume and cover letter formatted in Microsoft Word for immediate consideration via

Please address applications to:
Scion Executive Search and the SF SPCA Hiring Committee

Review of applications, nominations, and expressions of interest will begin immediately and continue on a confidential basis until an appointment is made.

ABOUT OUR FIRM:
Scion Executive Search is a national award-winning executive search firm. Our track record and recruitment process have made us one of the top recruitment firms in the United States. Through innovative team building and recruitment solutions, Scion Executive Search seamlessly bridges the gap in interim and executive searches.

We are proud to be part of the Forbes lists of the Best Recruitment Firms and the Best Executive Search Firms in America. Additionally, Scion has been recognized as a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing firm and a top recruitment firm by The Business Times. Additional information about our firm and our practices can be found online.

Scion Executive Search is an equal opportunity employer and service provider and does not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation, or any other protected class. We are committed to the principles of Equal Opportunity Employment and are dedicated to making employment decisions based on merit and value, for ourselves, our client companies, and the candidates we represent. 

For opportunities located in a region that has enacted fair chance, arrest, or conviction-based employment ordinances, Scion Executive Search proactively follows the enacted guidance and considers for employment all qualified applications with arrest and conviction records. We engage in socially conscious business practices and believe that diverse, equitable, inclusive, and non-biased talent and recruitment processes are foundational to the success of Scion as well as every client organization with whom we partner.