Chief Executive Officer, Kansas City Pet Project (KCPP)

Company: Noetic Search, LLC
Location: Kansas City
Posted on: March 23, 2025

Job Description:

MISSION & VISIONLeading the way in creating a compassionate, safe community for pets and people through progressive, lifesaving programs and services, community resources, and educational opportunities.BACKGROUNDKansas City Pet Project was formed in 2011 when the city's animal shelter faced crisis-level euthanasia rates of 60-70%, with a staggering 98% euthanasia rate for cats. Before KCPP assumed operations, the facility functioned primarily as a "catch and kill" dog pound. However, within just a few months of KCPP taking over sheltering operations in January 2012, the live release rate soared above 90%-a level it has successfully maintained every year since.KCPP operates the Kansas City Campus for Animal Care (KCCAC), a state-of-the-art facility that serves as the city's open-admission shelter. Built in 2020 through a pioneering public-private collaboration, KCCAC represents an innovative approach to animal welfare-leveraging municipal resources alongside private philanthropy and community support to create a modern, humane, and highly effective sheltering model. KCCAC holds the City contract for animal sheltering and subcontracts to KCPP to operate the shelter and provide animal care services.KCPP provides sheltering and animal services to the community of Kansas City, MO by placing pets into homes with families, enhancing public safety through animal control services, being a resource to people and pets in the community, reuniting lost pets with their owners, establishing pet retention programs, providing humane education opportunities, and enriching the lives of pets and people in Kansas City to build up and support a more safe and humane Kansas City. Today, KCPP is operating the largest and only open-admission shelter in the Kansas City metropolitan area. In eight years, KCPP expanded from a single municipal shelter to a network of 14 successful adoption centers, caring for over 16,000 pets annually.KCCAC is one of the country's most state-of-the-art animal welfare facilities, in the heart of the KC animal health corridor - the world's largest concentration of animal health businesses. To build the new facility the city contributed $18M and the private sector raised an additional $8M in construction costs, for a total construction cost of $26M. The shelter is situated between the Lakeside Nature Center and the KC Zoo, making it easily accessible throughout the metro area.KCPP is governed by an independent Board of Directors, has an operating budget of approximately $9M, comprised of city contracts for animal sheltering and animal control services with about one third generated from philanthropy. There are about 165 staff of which 125 are full-time, and 1600 active volunteers. The Kansas City Campus for Animal Care is a separate 501(c)3 with its own governing Board of Directors of about 20 individuals.A Transformational Leadership OpportunityKCPP is seeking an inspiring and visionary Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead one of the most progressive and innovative animal welfare organizations in the country. This is an extraordinary opportunity for a dynamic leader to build upon the success of a groundbreaking animal services model and take it to even greater heights.KCPP is not just an animal shelter; it is a community resource, a catalyst for progressive animal welfare policies, and a lifeline for pets and people alike. Maintaining a reputation as a leader in progressive animal welfare practices will require ensuring lifesaving efforts continue to be the top priority while balancing public safety and responsible pet ownership. Meeting the increasing demand for animal services while strengthening relationships with underserved communities to provide equitable access to pet resources are opportunities going forward. This might include creating a low-cost public veterinary clinic and ongoing humane education and advocacy efforts.The next CEO will be able to shape the future of a highly respected and growing nonprofit. They will work with an engaged and passionate community that has demonstrated strong support for animal welfare initiatives and lead a state-of-the-art animal shelter that serves as a national model for lifesaving animal services.The relationship between KCPP, the City of Kansas City and Kansas City Campus for Animal Care is dynamic and complex. Navigating and strengthening these relationships, while balancing accountability to city officials is needed to drive KCPP's long-term strategic growth.THE POSITIONThe next Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of KCPP will be a likeable leader with change management experience. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO will balance the operational demands of the shelter with the broader mission of advancing animal welfare in the community and beyond. Working with the Board, staff, and volunteers, the next leader will build a culture that strives to keep animals with their owners by providing needed resources that make it possible for families to stay together. The CEO will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for KCPP's staff, programs, expansion, and execution of its mission. Key responsibilities include leadership and management, financial oversight, fundraising, public relations, and program development.The new leader will ensure that staff are well informed of decisions that affect them and ensure that policies are explained and communicated clearly. The CEO will lead by example and maintain the highest professional standards and practices for KCPP.Through dynamic community partnerships, the new leader will rebuild trust and maintain KCPP's reputation as a progressive high volume open admission shelter. Central to this role is strengthening the human-animal bond through inclusive programming that serves all pet owners, with particular emphasis on creating targeted initiatives to support historically marginalized and underserved communities. Over time, the new CEO will have the opportunity to develop new programs to meet both shelter and community needs while fostering a culture of excellence, continuous improvement, and best-in-class animal care.The ideal candidate will be a builder, problem solver and collaborative leader with a fresh perspective to guide KCPP in this next chapter of growth. The next CEO will have the opportunity to shape the future of a highly respected and growing nonprofit; work with an engaged and passionate community that has demonstrated strong support for animal welfare initiatives; lead a state-of-the-art animal shelter that serves as a national model for lifesaving animal services and make a tangible impact on the lives of thousands of animals and families in Kansas City and beyond.Key Responsibilities:

• Lead with Vision: Initially the focus will be on continuity and ensuring sustainability and then drive the organization's strategic direction, ensuring continued growth.
• Champion Animal Welfare: Maintain and enhance KCPP's lifesaving initiatives, including adoption programs, veterinary care, community outreach, and progressive animal control policies.
• Expand Community Engagement: Foster strong relationships with government officials, donors, volunteers, and the broader Kansas City community to support KCPP's mission.
• Ensure Financial Sustainability: Oversee fundraising efforts, grant acquisition, and financial stewardship.
• Inspire and Empower Staff: Cultivate a workplace culture that fosters transparency, collaboration, innovation, excellence, and compassion among a dedicated team of animal welfare professionals.
• Innovate and Adapt: Implement forward-thinking strategies that anticipate challenges in animal welfare and develop data-driven solutions.THE PROFILEWe are looking for a passionate and strategic leader who will continue to revolutionize the way animal services are provided in Kansas City, MO. We seek a resilient, highly experienced decisive leader and manager with demonstrated vision and passion for the humane and ethical treatment of animals. A successful track record of reporting to or working with a Board of Directors as well as inclusive leadership, to facilitate open communication to harmonize staff, the Board and the other constituents with whom they will interface, is sought. Personnel management skills that include an ability to build trusting relationships, listen, provide feedback, build morale, delegate, "roll up one's sleeves" and make decisions are essential.The candidate will be a bridge builder who is motivated by the best interests of the organization and will bring high emotional intelligence to effectively continue the organization's transition to a highly effective operation. Demonstrated success managing change, planning, forecasting and determining courses of action is needed.Ideal Candidate ProfileCompetitive candidates will have proven experience in a senior leadership role within a nonprofit organization, preferably in animal welfare or a related field. Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required; advanced degree preferred.Other qualifications include:
  • A Life-Saving Advocate: Understanding of and commitment to supporting the human-animal bond within a high-volume open admission, no-kill shelter.
  • A Visionary Leader with a track record of transformative leadership in nonprofit management, animal welfare, or a related field.
  • A Skilled Fundraiser and Financial Steward capable of diversifying revenue streams, engaging major donors, and ensuring financial sustainability.
  • A Community Advocate committed to equity, inclusion, and the belief that animal services should serve both pets and people.
  • An Effective Communicator adept at engaging with stakeholders across all levels, from government officials to grassroots volunteers.
  • A Change Agent who embraces innovation and is unafraid to challenge the status quo in pursuit of excellence.SALARY & BENEFITS:$200,000 - $250,000 plus comprehensive benefits including health, dental, vision and disability insurance.Kansas City Pet Project is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.
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