Director, Program Operations

Studio City, CA
Full Time
NAWH
Manager/Supervisor
American Humane Society (AHS) is seeking an experienced Director, Program Operations to provides strategic operational leadership for American Humane Society’s (AHS) No Animals Were Harmed® (NAWH) Certification Program. This position will be hybrid based at the LA office and reports directly to the Vice President, No Animals Were Harmed program.   

For nearly 150 years, American Humane Society (AHS) has led the way in protecting animals and strengthening the bonds between animals and people. We respond first when animals need rescue, shelter, or protection. Through our groundbreaking programs – from our “No Animals Were Harmed®” certification in Hollywood to our farm and conservation welfare standards – we set the highest level of care and compassion in animal protection.

Working at AHS means being part of something bigger. With offices in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and Palm Beach, we provide a supportive, professional environment where your work makes a real difference in animals’ lives.  American Humane Society is committed to fostering a welcoming workplace. As we seek to fill this position, we highly encourage high-performing applicants from all backgrounds to apply.

Position summary:  
The Director, Program Operations provides strategic operational leadership for American Humane Society’s (AHS) No Animals Were Harmed® (NAWH) Certification Program. Reporting to and working collaboratively with the Vice President, No Animals Were Harmed™ (VP), this role is responsible for overseeing day-to-day program operations, including the scheduling, financial and administrative functions, and stakeholder engagement.

The Director, Program Operations plays a critical role in ensuring the credibility, consistency, and global reach of the NAWH certification by aligning operational excellence with the highest standards of animal safety and welfare. Serving as both an internal leader and external ambassador, this position works closely with entertainment industry partners, production companies, animal trainers, grantors, regulators, and internal functional teams to advance AHS’s mission of protecting animals everywhere.

Responsibilities:
Program Leadership & Strategy
  • Partner with VP and other senior leadership to support the overall vision, management, and growth of the NAWH Certification Program.
  • Oversee daily program operations, ensuring effective production monitoring and program administration.
  • Contribute to the development, refinement, and consistent application of internal systems, technologies and program policies and protocols.
  • Identify opportunities for operational improvement, innovation, and ways to support the program’s global growth needs.

Operational, Financial & Administrative Oversight
  • Oversee administrative and operational functions for the program, including scheduling, pre-production, marketing coordination, IT systems, legal contracts, and reporting; with opportunities over time to take on increasing responsibility in field operations and post-production/certification review.
  • Lead budget development, financial management, and reporting in collaboration with program staff and AHS’s Accounting and Finance team.
  • Assist with the management and reporting of grants and other funding sources supporting the program.
  • Provide leadership during grant and organizational audits.
  • Work collaboratively with program functional area leaders to develop and maintain systems for accurate data collection, reporting, quality assurance, and compliance tracking.
  • Evaluate program operations and workflows to identify opportunities to streamline processes, strengthen efficiency, and improve overall program effectiveness; lead implementation of related policy, process, and best-practice enhancements.
  • Track, analyze, and leverage program data and performance metrics to inform continuous improvement, support strategic decision-making, and strengthen staff development.
  • Collaborate with leadership and cross-functional partners to translate operational insights into actionable enhancements that improve consistency, accuracy, and program impact.
  • Ensure operational readiness in a fast-paced, high-volume, and deadline-driven environment.

Staff Leadership & People Management
  • Supervise, coach, collaborate with and support program staff across various functional areas in hybrid and remote work environments.
  • Manage and develop a high-performing team to drive consistent implementation of program policies and practices while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, quality and operational excellence.
  • Work collaboratively with Human Resources to conduct staff planning, address performance and disciplinary matters, and identify and deliver staff training as needed.

Stakeholder Engagement & External Relations
  • Build and maintain strong working relationships with production companies, studios, unions, guilds, animal trainers, and other industry partners.
  • Serve as a representative and ambassador for AHS and the NAWH program at industry/funder meetings, events, and panels as needed.
  • Support external communications by partnering with Communications, Marketing, and Legal teams to provide information for public/media inquiries and thought leadership initiatives.
  • Address compliance concerns and stakeholder issues with professionalism, discretion, diplomacy, and fairness.

Certification Compliance & Integrity (area for growth and development over time)
  • In collaboration with the VP, progressively build knowledge of certification standards and processes to support the consistent, transparent, and fair application of requirements that protect the integrity and reputation of the NAWH mark.

Essential experience, knowledge, skills and abilities:
  • Minimum 8–10 years of progressive experience leading program operations within a nonprofit or related setting, including at least 2 years of staff supervision and oversight of complex, high-volume programs.
  • Strong financial acumen, including the ability to provide oversight and develop detailed understanding of the program’s budget, financial reporting, and grant management.
  • Bachelor’s degree in related field or an equivalent of education, lived experience, and relevant professional experience will be equally considered. 
  • Knowledge of animal welfare practices and/or familiarity with the entertainment and film industry would be highly valuable in this role.
  • Proven ability to build and sustain effective relationships with diverse stakeholders.
  • Exceptional written, verbal, active listening and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage competing priorities in a rapidly changing environment.
  • Strong judgment, decision-making skills, and capacity for diplomacy and collaboration.
  • Willingness and ability to work extended or non-traditional hours as needed.
  • Demonstrated commitment to AHS’s mission and values.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint); able to quickly learn and adapt to new software or database systems.

Direct reports:  
  • Sr. Manager, Program & Accounting Operations; Sr. Manager, Scheduling; Pre-Production Manager; two administratively focused Certified Animal Safety Representatives.

Physical demands and work environment: 
  • Position will be a hybrid of office/telework with the position based out of the Studio City, CA office location and regular telework schedule based on organizational policy, need, and manager discretion.
  • Must be comfortable with animals, especially dogs, in the office and at events.
  • Minimal travel required, with some occasion to travel domestically for organizational events/meetings.
  • Must have ability to work and respond to staff or situations outside of traditional office hours as needed.
  • While performing the duties of this position, the employee will regularly be required to:
    • Look at and work on a computer screen for extended periods of time,
    • Talk, hear and exchange information over the telephone, virtually and in person.
       
American Humane Society’s core values define our workplace, and these values serve as the cornerstone for interactions in advancing our mission and institutional goals. Employees are expected to adhere to all organizational policies and to act as role models, demonstrating American Humane Society’s core values: 
  • Compassion – Being kind and caring in our interactions with others. 
  • Accountability - Holding ourselves to the highest standards. Following through on commitments and owning our actions, behavior, and decisions. 
  • Respect for All – Being professional, listening to others and honoring diversity in all its forms. 
  • Loyalty to Mission – Staying focused on our purpose and our mission – our nation’s most vulnerable depend on us. 
  • Sustainability - Contributing to being a great place to work and achieving our shared mission and goals to make a difference, now and in the future. 
  • Honesty, Integrity, Trust – Demonstrating transparency, as trusted stewards of donor resources, supporting our leadership and one another. 
American Humane Society (AHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to fostering a welcoming, supportive workplace where our work makes a real difference in animals' lives. 

Job Details:
  • Title: Direct, Program Operations
  • Type: Full-Time/Exempt
  • Location: Hybrid, Studio City, CA
  • Compensation: $120,000+
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