Job Description / Duties

Reporting to the Senior Director, Animal Flow, the Manager, Foster Program is accountable for successful service delivery of the BC SPCA Foster Program across the organization.

This position is responsible for overseeing the Foster Program, including program growth and development and the foster volunteer experience. This role involves working closing with the Volunteer Resources and Animal Services teams to support recruitment and training of foster volunteers, provide on-going growth and resources for the program, facilitate foster volunteer retention and support collaboration across the departments responsible for and interacting with the Foster Program. Ultimately, the Manager, Foster Program will ensure that foster volunteers, fostered animals and the Foster Program are thriving.

This position also supervises employees and volunteers assigned to the Foster Program.

Key Responsibilities:

Provincial Program Development (35%)

- Lead the growth and innovation of the Foster Program using best practices and measurable outcomes.
- Develop and maintain policies, procedures, and training materials.
- Collaborate on specialized foster programs (e.g., emergency boarding, medical, behavioural).
- Analyze data and report on program performance and impact.


Volunteer Management & Coordination (35%)

- Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and training of foster volunteers.
- Ensure volunteers are supported, recognized, and retained.
- Maintain accurate records and data using Better Impact and Shelter Buddy.
- Respond to emergent foster needs, including during emergency response.


Leadership & Team Management (30%)

- Supervise and mentor staff and volunteers within the Foster Program.
- Develop annual plans, set goals, and manage performance.
- Promote a culture of safety, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
- Manage program budgets and represent the program in media as needed.

Qualifications / Required Skills

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS

- Post-secondary education in a related field, such as volunteer management, human resources, or business administration, with minimum of 5 years’ related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptable to the employer.

Related experience includes, but is not limited to:
- Program development and management;
- Managing/leading staff and volunteers; and
- Working in the animal welfare sector, with focus on building programs/systems/infrastructure beyond sheltering would be considered an asset.

Demonstrated strengths in the following leadership areas:

- Thinking strategically and long-term in the best interests of the organization and the mission.
- Establishing operational objectives, strategies and tactics and monitoring their implementation and effectiveness.
- Implementing new processes and programs for continuous improvement, includes navigating approval processes, independent research, iterative and testing cycles.
- Building and maintaining effective and strategic relationships, as well as experience collaborating with multiple parties, potentially with competing interests.
- Strong business acumen, with an understanding of the charitable sector and ideally, animal welfare sector trends and best practices.
- Demonstrated ability to organize work, meet priorities and to work within a demanding work schedule.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to work with internal and external parties at all levels and from diverse backgrounds in a positive and respectful manner.
- Strong interpersonal skills with an ability to successfully address and resolve conflict.
- Tech savvy with experience championing effective use of technology to elevate an organization’s efficiency.
- Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite, with the ability to adapt to new technologies.
- Exceptional analytical and decision-making skills.
- Ability to travel throughout the province as necessary.
- Experience with project-management software, budget management software, and people management software an asset.
- Excellent public speaking skills, and experience with media relations, an asset.
- Working knowledge of concepts of equity, diversity, inclusion and reconciliation; able to relate respectfully to a diverse audience.
- Philosophical harmony with the BC SPCA’s vision, mission, values and strategic directions.

Additional Information

We welcome diversity, value differences, and foster inclusion in our employment practices. Find out more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion by reading our Foundational Principles on our website https://spca.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Foundational-Principles-EDI-Updated-Layout-V2.pdf.

We invite applications from all qualified individuals who are philosophically aligned with our mission, vision and values https://spca.bc.ca/about-us/mission-vision-charter/

To learn more about why you should work with us or to apply visit: https://jobs.dayforcehcm.com/en-US/bcspca/CANDIDATEPORTAL/jobs/13251

Salary: $65,500 - $81,844

Contact Information

To learn more about this role and the foster program, contact Lindsay Baker, CVA - Senior Director of Volunteer Resources at lbaker@spca.bc.ca

Employer Profile

The mission of the British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA) is protecting vulnerable animals and mobilizing communities so animals and people thrive together.

The BC SPCA is the only animal welfare organization in B.C. with the authority to enforce animal cruelty laws under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (PCA Act). We are the largest animal welfare organization of our kind in North America and the largest animal sheltering society in the world.

We assist more than 135,000 animals in need every year and are funded by compassionate animal lovers who support our work and partner with us to protect and enhance the quality of life for domestic, farm and wild animals in B.C.