Program Director – Animal Cruelty, Companion Animals

Humane World for Animals

. Direct, develop, and provide oversight of animal cruelty strategies to meet organizational goals and priorities .

Posted 11/11/2026full-timeRemote • United StatesLead💰 $90,000 - $135,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in developing and overseeing animal cruelty strategies, managing teams, and advancing public policy through stakeholder engagement and lobbying. Possesses strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, with a commitment to animal protection issues.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Animal Cruelty Strategy DevelopmentLegislative AdvocacyTeam ManagementStakeholder EngagementBudget Development

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Campaign DevelopmentPolicy AnalysisPerformance ManagementGrant WritingBudget ManagementLegislation KnowledgeConflict ManagementEvaluation MetricsTraining DevelopmentIntervention Skills

Soft Skills

Leadership AbilityExcellent CommunicationProblem ResolutionFlexibilitySelf-Motivation

Tools & Technologies

Media CommunicationPresentation MaterialsSocial Media Management

Industry Keywords

Animal ProtectionLegislative TargetsCoalition BuildingGrassroots AdvocacyFederal and State Laws

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Direct, develop, and provide oversight of animal cruelty strategies to meet organizational goals and priorities
Advance public policy by identifying legislative, regulatory, or corporate targets
Craft effective strategies and ensure adoption through stakeholder engagement, coalition building, and direct lobbying
Manage and develop a team supporting campaign advancement
Develop campaigns and coordinate with departments and State Directors on legislative, rulemaking, and litigation initiatives
Lead initiatives establishing and safeguarding animal-cruelty protections and defending existing protections
Develop program plans, vision, schedules, resources, and evaluation metrics
Provide scientific, policy, grassroots, and general expertise
Manage staff through training, performance management, leadership development, and career development
Manage consultants as necessary
Lobby government officials and build stakeholder relationships and partnerships
Represent campaigns and the organization through meetings, presentations, and conferences
Oversee media, social, communications, briefing, and presentation materials
Draft grants and donor documents and work with the department Vice President on the budget
Perform other assigned duties

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in related field, or equivalent work experience required
Master’s degree preferred
Minimum of nine (9) years of experience working with law enforcement and related federal, state and local laws and policies
Management/supervisory experience
Extensive knowledge of relevant animal cruelty issues at the local, state and federal level
Must be willing and able to travel
Leadership ability in work setting
Flexible, willing to learn, and anticipates the needs of self and staff
Comfortable in a fast-paced environment with frequent deadlines; high energy, self-motivated and proactive
Ability to manage issues requiring problem resolution and conflict management with excellent interpersonal and intervention skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Knowledge of business operations, including effective budget development and management processes
Attention to detail and commitment to excellence, demonstrated by the delivery of quality and timely outcomes
Strong interest in animal protection issues preferred

Benefits

Comp & perks

Full-time remote position
Travel permitted/required for the role