American Humane Society (AHS) is seeking a Director, Military Affairs. This position will be hybrid based at the DC or the American Humane Sanctuary in Palm City, FL office locations and reports directly to the Chief Program Officer.
American Humane Society is seeking a mission-driven Director, Military Affairs to lead program operations and advance the impact of the Lois Pope LIFE Center for Military Affairs. This role provides leadership for initiatives including Pups4Patriots®, Paws on the Homefront, and Military Working Dog (MWD) Reunifications, helping strengthen the human-animal bond and support those who have dedicated their lives to serving others. This is an opportunity for a collaborative, results-oriented leader to translate organizational priorities into meaningful outcomes for veterans, first responders, military working dogs, and their communities.
The ideal candidate brings strong program management and operational leadership experience, a commitment to animal welfare and the human-animal bond, and the ability to build relationships across military, first responder, service dog, and community networks.
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.
Responsibilities & Expectations:
Program Leadership and Strategy
Work collaboratively with the CPO and relevant leaders to shape program strategy, establish priorities and develop annual and multi-year plans aligned with organizational goals; translate agreed-upon direction into program work plans and recommended goals, resource needs and improvement.
Lead the strategic implementation of the Center for Military Affairs vision for its National Home at the American Humane Sanctuary in Palm City, FL in coordination with the Director of the Sanctuary, including activating the kennels and future convening spaces, building community partnerships, and long-term sustainability.
Collaborate on the development of program strategy and priorities, then develop, operationalize, manage, and evaluate program activities, using data and stakeholder feedback to improve quality and impact, recruitment, outcome tracking and storytelling and community partnerships.
Recommend and establish program standards, procedures, and protocols, performance expectations, and accountability mechanisms across internal and external training sites and partner organizations.
Identify emerging opportunities, risks, and trends affecting veterans, first responders, service and family dog programs, and the human-animal bond, and recommend appropriate organizational responses.
Assess program trends, improvement opportunities, partnership opportunities, and potential expansion concepts; develop recommendations collaboratively with the CPO and other relevant leaders.
Operations and Program Quality Shape program priorities and implementation plans with the CPO and relevant leaders and manage day-to-day delivery of Military Affairs programming across the country/internationally to achieve Humane 2030 growth goals.
Ensure quality assurance and efficient service delivery for P4P at all training sites and partner locations.
Lead the application for and achieve award of ADI accreditation for the P4P program.
Provide supervision and…