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SPCA Cincinnati

Adoption Manager

SPCA Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, 45208

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SPCA Cincinnati

Reports to: Director of Operations

FLSA Status: Non‑Exempt

Salary Range: $45,000–$55,000

Position Purpose The Adoption Manager is a frontline leader responsible for transforming SPCA Cincinnati’s adoption outcomes—dramatically reducing length of stay, elevating the customer experience, and building a high‑performance, customer‑forward adoption culture. This role blends high‑energy service, people leadership, and operational excellence. The Adoption Manager sets the tone on the adoption floor, modeling urgency, compassion, and accountability to ensure every visitor is supported, every animal is truly known, and every adoption is thoughtfully matched and efficiently completed. This position is critical to SPCA Cincinnati’s 3‑year strategic plan and our organizational goal of reducing average dog length of stay to under 30 days.

Who You Are You thrive in fast‑paced, people‑centered environments and are energized by solving problems, developing teams, and delivering measurable results. You lead with urgency, positivity, and emotional intelligence. You set clear expectations, give direct feedback, and coach people toward excellence. You are comfortable with change—because you understand that change is how animals get home faster.

Summary of Responsibilities The Adoption Manager oversees adoption operations across all SPCA Cincinnati locations, including a future urban adoption center. This leader manages staff and volunteers, removes barriers for adopters, ensures consistent and compassionate processes, and drives data‑informed decision‑making. The Adoption Manager works collaboratively with Medical, Behavior, Kennel, Foster, Marketing/PR, and Community Outreach teams to accelerate placement, increase visibility, and continuously improve adoption outcomes. This leader must be confident managing change—raising standards, realigning responsibilities, and transitioning roles when needed.

Essential Duties & Key Functions Customer & Adoption Experience

Model and lead a welcoming, inclusive, judgment‑free, barrier‑reducing adoption experience

Provide expert adopter guidance based on deep knowledge of each animal’s behavior, needs, and best‑fit home

Maintain a visible, hands‑on presence on the adoption floor, coaching staff in real time

Ensure a clean, warm, and efficient customer environment

Resolve customer concerns quickly, professionally, and in alignment with SPCA policies

Operational Leadership

Oversee daily adoption operations across all locations, including future urban adoption center operations

Ensure efficient workflows, accurate documentation, and consistent adherence to procedures

Partner with Medical, Behavior, Foster, Marketing, and PR teams to promote animals and accelerate placement

Identify process gaps and lead improvements that increase speed, quality, and customer satisfaction

Own adoption metrics, including daily and weekly goals and length‑of‑stay reduction

Team Leadership & Culture Coaching

Recruit, coach, develop, and—when necessary—transition staff to maintain a high‑performing team

Conduct performance reviews, one‑on‑ones, coaching conversations, and corrective action

Build and sustain a trained adoption volunteer pipeline in partnership with Community Outreach

Foster a mission‑aligned culture that is positive, accountable, inclusive, and data‑informed

Strategic & Collaborative Work

Support off‑site adoption events, pop‑ups, and creative placement opportunities

Partner with Marketing/PR to ensure timely, engaging adoption content

Establish meaningful daily, weekly, and monthly goals tied to animal flow and outcomes

Stay current on best practices in adoption, matchmaking, customer experience, and fear‑free handling

Urban Adoption Center (Future Location)

Oversee daily animal care and customer flow at the off‑site adoption center

Manage appointments, walk‑ins, promotions, and same‑day placements

Ensure compliance with state regulations, sanitation standards, and safety protocols

Maintain accurate records and a clean, safe, welcoming facility

Lead a fast, responsive, urban‑specific customer experience

Required Minimum Qualifications

Minimum 3 years of supervisory or management experience in customer service, retail, hospitality, or another high‑volume environment

Demonstrated success leading teams, coaching performance, and managing change

High emotional intelligence with clear, professional communication skills

Strong organizational, planning, and prioritization skills

Ability to analyze challenges, make decisions, and execute with urgency

Experience developing training, customer service procedures, and workflows

Proficiency with Microsoft Office and comfort using multiple digital systems

Ability to work weekends, holidays, and extended hours

Ability to obtain Fear‑Free Shelters certification within 60 days

Preferred

Experience in animal welfare, sheltering, or humane organizations

People Care (Core Expectation) People and animals are at the center of our mission. This role requires exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate respectfully and effectively with staff, volunteers, adopters, and partners.

The Adoption Manager must actively support a positive, accountable team environment, address conflict directly, and foster a culture where people feel supported, guided, and responsible for results.

Competencies Organizational

Accountability

Attention to Detail

Decision Making

Flexibility

Initiative

Integrity

Leadership

Managing Resources

Results Orientation

Teamwork

Technical Expertise

Time Management

Position‑Specific

Customer Service Excellence

Staff Coaching & Development

Change Management

Conflict Resolution

Animal Matchmaking & Assessment

Operational Execution

Cultural Competence & Inclusion

Strategic Thinking

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