Executive Director

Executive Director (Part-Time, Growth & Sustainability Focus)

About BC Pets and Friends

Since 1982, BC Pets and Friends has been providing pet therapy visits to patients, seniors, students, and veterans across the Lower Mainland. Our 250+ volunteers share the unconditional love and companionship of their dogs (or cats or rabbits) with others who would benefit from the healing power of pet therapy.

BC Pets and Friends is a registered charity, dedicated to enhancing well-being through the healing power of animal-assisted visitation. Through a network of screened volunteer-handler teams, the Society creates meaningful connections that reduce isolation, promote emotional wellness, and enrich the lives of people in healthcare, educational, and community settings across British Columbia. Entering an exciting phase of growth, the organization is focused on expanding its reach and ensuring long-term financial sustainability to serve more individuals and communities.

Position Summary

Reporting to the board of directors, the part-time executive director is responsible for implementing the strategic priorities of BC Pets and Friends. Working collaboratively with staff, volunteers, community partners, and donors the executive director will strengthen organizational capacity, ensure financial sustainability, and support continued growth of our programs and their impact.

This is a hands-on leadership role with a growing nonprofit organization. The executive director will provide oversight of day-to-day operations while focusing on sustainable revenue generation, increasing volunteer recruitment, finding new ways for our pet therapy teams to serve their communities, and building awareness of pet therapy.

Key roles and responsibilities include the following.

Leadership and Operations

• Provide leadership, direction, and support to three part-time staff including setting priorities, and contributing directly to day-to-day work as needed.
• Foster a positive, collaborative, and accountable organizational culture.
• Ensure day-to-day operations align to organizational priorities.
• Develop and implement board-approved operational plans guided by the organization’s strategic initiatives.
• Track organizational performance, identify opportunities for improvement, and implement practical solutions to strengthen systems and processes.

Financial Sustainability and Fund Development

• Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising and revenue development strategy.
• Cultivate strong relationships with donors, sponsors, foundations, and funding partners.
• Lead grant identification, applications, reporting, and stewardship.
• Expand and diversify revenue sources to support long-term sustainability.

Financial Management

• Develop and manage annual operating budgets.
• Monitor financial performance and cash flow. Identify financial and operational risks, raise concerns to the board and propose mitigation measures.
• Provide regular financial and operational reports to the board.

Governance and Board Relations

• Support the board in fulfilling governance responsibilities.
• Assist in strategic planning and annual business objectives.
• Ensure compliance with legislation and policies, including timely completion of non-profit annual reporting and regulatory filings.

Community Engagement/Promotion

• Serve as an ambassador for the organization.
• Develop strategic relationships with stakeholders and partners.
• Identify opportunities for partnerships and growth.
• Work with staff to develop and implement a communications strategy to increase awareness of pet therapy and Pets and Friends
• Oversee all external communications, including website, marketing material, newsletters, and social media

Qualifications

• Minimum five years of progressive leadership experience in the nonprofit, public, or community sector.
• Diploma in business, finance, or nonprofit management
• Proven track record of taking initiative, personally driving projects from planning through execution, and achieving measurable organizational growth and results.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, grant development, donor stewardship, and revenue generation.
• Experience leading staff, volunteers, and teams.
• Strong financial management and budgeting experience.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, organizational, and planning skills.
• Proficient in cloud-based systems, including Google Workspace (Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, Calendar and Gmail), social media platforms, project management tools, Zoom and CRM systems
• Class 5 driver’s license and access to a vehicle
• Successfully undergo a criminal record check
• Experience working with a board of directors would be an asset

Salary Range

$35 - $39 per hour, based on qualifications and experience.

Application Process

Interested candidates are invited to submit:

• A cover letter outlining their interest in being part of an organization dedicated to pet therapy
• A current resume including qualifications and relevant experience.

The application deadline is October 30, 2026. Applications will be reviewed as they are received. We thank all applicants for their interest; only those selected for an interview will be contacted.