Executive Director - Mebane - Paws4ever

Description

Paws4ever is dedicated to creating and growing lifetime relationships between pets and people through adoption, training, education and care. For more than 60 years, Paws4ever has been saving lives and completing families in our community. Located on a beautiful 20-acre sanctuary in Orange County, Paws4ever offers an integrated approach to animal welfare and operates an animal rescue and adoption center and a dog training facility. We make a unique life-long commitment to our animals and provide programs and resources to support pets and pet owners for their lifetime. We believe in a world in which pets and people thrive together.

Paws4ever is committed to accessibility in offering a range of services to support all pets and people in our community:

• Adoption Center serves as a placement partner for animals transferred from local county shelters. Animals stay in our care until they are adopted without a time limit or space restriction. Our dogs live in individual kennels with an attached covered outdoor space. Our cats live in community rooms, which creates a more comfortable environment and allows our cats to play together and enjoy companionship. Staff and volunteers offer many opportunities for socialization and enrichment while they are in our care.
• Dog Training Program offers private lessons and group dog training instruction through puppy and adult classes using positive reinforcement methods that are humane and force-free. Class tuition supports the care of our shelter animals.
• The 3-acre, private Dog Park and Nature Trail area offer opportunities for members and their dogs to enjoy the outdoors together.
• We provide Foster Care for animals who need a closely supervised environment and/or individual care (e.g., cats with kittens, pregnant animals, young puppies, animals with special medical needs). In addition, virtually any animal at any age can be fostered through us. We encourage fostering of adult dogs who just need time in a home rather than a kennel.
• Our Learning Center is available through Facility Rental Opportunities for nearly any event (party, seminar, workshop, training event or personal use for your own dog). The 8,700 square‑feet venue has three large and fully matted rooms, restrooms, a kitchen, and a fully fenced outdoor field with a variety of competition agility equipment.
• The Resale Store is a friendly and fun thrift store with the proceeds from the sales supporting our work with animals in need. We accept donations of high-quality household goods, home decor, pet supplies, jewelry, toys/games, books, furniture and more.
• Our Legacy Care program provides a plan for your pet's future if they outlive you. Pets will live either in a foster home or in the Legacy Care Residence on our property until the right adoptive family can be found.
• We realize sometimes a pet is not a good fit for the family. If a family is considering surrendering a pet to an animal shelter, our staff can provide behavior guidance to potentially enable them to keep the pet or offer Re‑Hom ing resources if necessary.
• When pet owners need a little help keeping and caring for their pets in a tough time, we offer dog training scholarships, veterinary assistance and a pet pantry to the public through our Community Pet Support Program. The pet pantry service is also available to community members caring for lost animals. In addition, in partnership with Orange County Animal Services, we build enclosures for owners with tethered dogs in Orange County.

THE CANDIDATE

The Executive Director will be a seasoned nonprofit professional, committed to Paws4ever's mission. As the leader of the organization, the Executive Director will embrace and model our values:

• Compassion - Each one of us is here because we care deeply about the well‑being of the animals and people in our community.
• Commitment - Our dedication to animal welfare drives us to approach our work with professionalism and to actively pursue excellence in our service.
• Connection - Relationship‑building is the core of our work. We cultivate lifetime connections, not one‑time transactions, with our animals, our clients, and our community.
• Curiosity - Every day, we are eager to learn new skills and discover better ways to support pets and people. Our impact grows as we improve through learning.

The Executive Director will seek out and pursue opportunities to strengthen and build relationships with existing and prospective donors and community stakeholders, is personable and forward‑thinking, and supports a socially conscious work culture valuing each individual.

THE POSITION

The Executive Director serves as the key strategy, development and operations leader of Paws4ever and is responsible for the success and health of the organization. The primary functions for this position include establishing and implementing strategic plans in partnership with the Board, securing adequate funding and resources, ensuring the financial standing of the organization, representing the organization to the community, providing support and leadership to the staff, maintaining high‑quality programs and services, and overseeing all day‑to‑day operations.

Principle Responsibilities of the Executive Director:

Strategic Leadership & Organizational Vision

• Work with the Board of Directors and staff leadership to develop a long term strategic plan aligned with Paws4ever's mission and values.
• Translate strategic goals into annual operational plans with measurable outcomes.
• Identify emerging trends in animal welfare, community needs, and nonprofit best practices.
• Evaluate program effectiveness using data, KPIs, and community feedback.
• Ensure alignment between programs, staffing, and financial resources.
• Foster a culture of innovation, compassion, and accountability.
• Lead all fundraising efforts, including major gifts, grants, corporate partnerships, and events.
• Build and maintain relationships with donors, foundations, and community partners.
• Oversee marketing, communications, and public relations strategies.
• Conduct donor meetings, stewardship calls, and cultivation events.
• Collaborate with development staff to design campaigns and donor journeys.
• Represent the organization at community events, conferences, and media opportunities.
• Strengthen and maintain partnerships with veterinarians, shelter partners, sponsors, and other businesses.

Board Governance & Collaboration

• Maintain a strong, transparent relationship with the Board of Directors.
• Provide timely, accurate reporting on finances, operations, and strategic progress.
• Support board recruitment, training, and committee work.
• Prepare board meeting agendas, materials, and performance dashboards. Ensure compliance with bylaws, policies, and governance best practices.
• Oversee budgeting, financial planning, and fiscal stewardship.
• Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and ethical standards.
• Manage facilities, technology, and organizational infrastructure.
• Supervise all program operations: adoption, training, volunteering, resale store and community services.
• Monitor cash flow, revenue trends, and expense controls with the finance team.
• Approve contracts, vendor relationships, and capital expenditures.
• Maintain policies for risk management, HR compliance, and operational continuity.
• Program Leadership & Mission Delivery Ensure high quality, humane, and effective animal welfare programs.
• Support staff in developing new services that meet community needs.
• Monitor program outcomes, success, and community engagement metrics and implement improvements accordingly.
• Recruit, supervise, and develop a high performing staff team.
• Oversee HR policies, performance evaluations, and professional development.
• Create, update and implement organizational policies and procedures.
• Conduct regular staff meetings, one on ones, and team building activities.
• Support conflict resolution, coaching, and leadership development.
• Ensure equitable hiring practices and a safe, supportive work environment.

TO APPLY

Please send cover letter, resume, and contact information for three to five references (including a past or present supervisor and/or Board member and a direct report) to:

Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted, beginning Monday, March 2, 2026. Early submission is encouraged.

The target total compensation for this position is $80,000. The additional generous benefits package includes PTO, employee health insurance, dental and vision coverage, short term disability, life insurance, IRA, and a professional development stipend.