Top Benefits
About the role
If you are up for the challenge and would like to be considered for this position, we would like to hear from you. The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA) is looking to fill the following career opportunity:
POSITION: Manager, Foster Program
STATUS: Permanent; Full-Time
SHIFT: 35 hours per week
LOCATION: Remote (if incumbent is located outside Greater Vancouver Area), Hybrid (if incumbent is based in the Greater Vancouver Area), as the discretion of the employer
CLASSIFICATION: Exempt
WAGE: Salaried
CLOSING DATE: Open until July 31, 2025
We welcome diversity, value differences, and foster inclusion in our employment practices. Find out more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion by reading our Foundational Principles on our website. We invite applications from all qualified individuals who are philosophically aligned with our mission, vision and values.
Make a Difference in the Lives of Animals Across B.C.!
Are you passionate about animal welfare and building strong, supportive volunteer communities? The BC SPCA is seeking a dynamic and compassionate Manager, Foster Program to lead the growth and success of our province-wide Foster Program. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of foster care for animals in need and ensure our volunteers feel empowered, supported, and valued.
As a Manager, Foster Program at the BC SPCA you’ll be joining a fast-paced, passionate team, who care for vulnerable animals in our province. The BC SPCA is generously funded by compassionate animal lovers, who helped us assist nearly 150,000 animals each year through direct care and support programs.
About the Role:
Reporting to the Senior Director, Animal Flow, the Manager, Foster Program is accountable for successful service delivery of the BC SPCA Foster Program across the organization.
This position is responsible for overseeing the Foster Program, including program growth and development and the foster volunteer experience. This role involves working closing with the Volunteer Resources and Animal Services teams to support recruitment and training of foster volunteers, provide on-going growth and resources for the program, facilitate foster volunteer retention and support collaboration across the departments responsible for and interacting with the Foster Program. Ultimately, the Manager, Foster Program will ensure that foster volunteers, fostered animals and the Foster Program are thriving.
This position also supervises employees and volunteers assigned to the Foster Program.
Key Responsibilities:
Provincial Program Development (35%)
- Lead the growth and innovation of the Foster Program using best practices and measurable outcomes.
- Develop and maintain policies, procedures, and training materials.
- Collaborate on specialized foster programs (e.g., emergency boarding, medical, behavioral).
- Analyze data and report on program performance and impact.
Volunteer Management & Coordination (35%)
- Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and training of foster volunteers.
- Ensure volunteers are supported, recognized, and retained.
- Maintain accurate records and data using Better Impact and Shelter Buddy.
- Respond to emergent foster needs, including during emergency response.
Leadership & Team Management (30%)
- Supervise and mentor staff and volunteers within the Foster Program.
- Develop annual plans, set goals, and manage performance.
- Promote a culture of safety, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
- Manage program budgets and represent the program in media as needed.
What You Bring:
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS
- Post-secondary education in a related field, such as volunteer management, human resources, or business administration, with minimum of 5 years’ related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptable to the employer. Related experience includes, but is not limited to:
- Program development and management;
- Managing/leading staff and volunteers; and
- Working in the animal welfare sector, with focus on building programs/systems/infrastructure beyond sheltering would be considered an asset.
- Demonstrated strengths in the following leadership areas:
- Thinking strategically and long-term in the best interests of the organization and the mission.
- Establishing operational objectives, strategies and tactics and monitoring their implementation and effectiveness.
- Implementing new processes and programs for continuous improvement, includes navigating approval processes, independent research, iterative and testing cycles.
- Building and maintaining effective and strategic relationships, as well as experience collaborating with multiple parties, potentially with competing interests.
- Strong business acumen, with an understanding of the charitable sector and ideally, animal welfare sector trends and best practices.
- Demonstrated ability to organize work, meet priorities and to work within a demanding work schedule.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to work with internal and external parties at all levels and from diverse backgrounds in a positive and respectful manner.
- Strong interpersonal skills with an ability to successfully address and resolve conflict.
- Tech savvy with experience championing effective use of technology to elevate an organization’s efficiency.
- Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite, with the ability to adapt to new technologies.
- Exceptional analytical and decision-making skills.
- Ability to travel throughout the province as necessary.
- Experience with project-management software, budget management software, and people management software an asset.
- Excellent public speaking skills, and experience with media relations, an asset.
- Working knowledge of concepts of equity, diversity, inclusion and reconciliation; able to relate respectfully to a diverse audience.
- Philosophical harmony with the BC SPCA’s vision, mission, values and strategic directions.
Why Work With Us?
At the BC SPCA, you’ll join a passionate team dedicated to protecting vulnerable animals and mobilizing communities, so animals and people thrive together. We offer a supportive, mission-driven work environment, aligned to our values. In addition, we offer:
- Full time salaried position
- Four weeks’ vacation plus twelve sick days
- Competitive extended health benefits after three months
- Employer RRSP contributions of 7.5% (with no matching requirement) after three months
- Fast-paced work-place culture of collaboration, passion and respect
- And yes, there are kittens and puppies (and sometimes budgies and rabbits), too!
How to apply:
If you are up for the challenge, and looking for an opportunity to lead (and are legally entitled to work in Canada), we would love to hear from you. Please submit your resume, together with a cover letter telling us why you are excited to join the team. Click on apply now or use the link to apply https://spca.bc.ca/about-us/careers/
We thank you for your interest in the BC SPCA, however; only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No telephone calls, please.
The BC SPCA is a Registered Charity BN 11881 9036 RR0001
About BC SPCA
The BC SPCA is the only animal welfare organization in B.C. with the authority to enforce animal cruelty laws under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (PCA Act). We are the largest animal welfare organization of our kind in North America and the largest animal sheltering society in the world. We have 44 locations across B.C. including:
36 branches which care for abused and homeless animals, until they are adopted into new homes (including two facilities with large animal barns)
Three animal hospitals (Vancouver, Burnaby and Penticton)
Two spay/neuter clinics (Kamloops and Prince George)
Wild ARC, our wildlife rehabilitation centre in Metchosin
A provincial call centre in Victoria
Our provincial office in Vancouver, which oversees animal cruelty investigations, advocacy and education for youth and adults and other key activities across B.C.
We assist more than 97,109 animals in need every year and are funded by compassionate animal lovers who support our work and partner with us to protect and enhance the quality of life for domestic, farm and wild animals in B.C. See more stats at a glance.
We are committed to achieving the highest standards of transparency and accountability in all our activities. In order to maintain these high standards of accountability and to foster public confidence in the work of our organization, we undertake to provide the public with information on our governance, operations and financial position.
Top Benefits
About the role
If you are up for the challenge and would like to be considered for this position, we would like to hear from you. The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA) is looking to fill the following career opportunity:
POSITION: Manager, Foster Program
STATUS: Permanent; Full-Time
SHIFT: 35 hours per week
LOCATION: Remote (if incumbent is located outside Greater Vancouver Area), Hybrid (if incumbent is based in the Greater Vancouver Area), as the discretion of the employer
CLASSIFICATION: Exempt
WAGE: Salaried
CLOSING DATE: Open until July 31, 2025
We welcome diversity, value differences, and foster inclusion in our employment practices. Find out more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion by reading our Foundational Principles on our website. We invite applications from all qualified individuals who are philosophically aligned with our mission, vision and values.
Make a Difference in the Lives of Animals Across B.C.!
Are you passionate about animal welfare and building strong, supportive volunteer communities? The BC SPCA is seeking a dynamic and compassionate Manager, Foster Program to lead the growth and success of our province-wide Foster Program. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of foster care for animals in need and ensure our volunteers feel empowered, supported, and valued.
As a Manager, Foster Program at the BC SPCA you’ll be joining a fast-paced, passionate team, who care for vulnerable animals in our province. The BC SPCA is generously funded by compassionate animal lovers, who helped us assist nearly 150,000 animals each year through direct care and support programs.
About the Role:
Reporting to the Senior Director, Animal Flow, the Manager, Foster Program is accountable for successful service delivery of the BC SPCA Foster Program across the organization.
This position is responsible for overseeing the Foster Program, including program growth and development and the foster volunteer experience. This role involves working closing with the Volunteer Resources and Animal Services teams to support recruitment and training of foster volunteers, provide on-going growth and resources for the program, facilitate foster volunteer retention and support collaboration across the departments responsible for and interacting with the Foster Program. Ultimately, the Manager, Foster Program will ensure that foster volunteers, fostered animals and the Foster Program are thriving.
This position also supervises employees and volunteers assigned to the Foster Program.
Key Responsibilities:
Provincial Program Development (35%)
- Lead the growth and innovation of the Foster Program using best practices and measurable outcomes.
- Develop and maintain policies, procedures, and training materials.
- Collaborate on specialized foster programs (e.g., emergency boarding, medical, behavioral).
- Analyze data and report on program performance and impact.
Volunteer Management & Coordination (35%)
- Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and training of foster volunteers.
- Ensure volunteers are supported, recognized, and retained.
- Maintain accurate records and data using Better Impact and Shelter Buddy.
- Respond to emergent foster needs, including during emergency response.
Leadership & Team Management (30%)
- Supervise and mentor staff and volunteers within the Foster Program.
- Develop annual plans, set goals, and manage performance.
- Promote a culture of safety, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
- Manage program budgets and represent the program in media as needed.
What You Bring:
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS
- Post-secondary education in a related field, such as volunteer management, human resources, or business administration, with minimum of 5 years’ related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptable to the employer. Related experience includes, but is not limited to:
- Program development and management;
- Managing/leading staff and volunteers; and
- Working in the animal welfare sector, with focus on building programs/systems/infrastructure beyond sheltering would be considered an asset.
- Demonstrated strengths in the following leadership areas:
- Thinking strategically and long-term in the best interests of the organization and the mission.
- Establishing operational objectives, strategies and tactics and monitoring their implementation and effectiveness.
- Implementing new processes and programs for continuous improvement, includes navigating approval processes, independent research, iterative and testing cycles.
- Building and maintaining effective and strategic relationships, as well as experience collaborating with multiple parties, potentially with competing interests.
- Strong business acumen, with an understanding of the charitable sector and ideally, animal welfare sector trends and best practices.
- Demonstrated ability to organize work, meet priorities and to work within a demanding work schedule.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to work with internal and external parties at all levels and from diverse backgrounds in a positive and respectful manner.
- Strong interpersonal skills with an ability to successfully address and resolve conflict.
- Tech savvy with experience championing effective use of technology to elevate an organization’s efficiency.
- Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite, with the ability to adapt to new technologies.
- Exceptional analytical and decision-making skills.
- Ability to travel throughout the province as necessary.
- Experience with project-management software, budget management software, and people management software an asset.
- Excellent public speaking skills, and experience with media relations, an asset.
- Working knowledge of concepts of equity, diversity, inclusion and reconciliation; able to relate respectfully to a diverse audience.
- Philosophical harmony with the BC SPCA’s vision, mission, values and strategic directions.
Why Work With Us?
At the BC SPCA, you’ll join a passionate team dedicated to protecting vulnerable animals and mobilizing communities, so animals and people thrive together. We offer a supportive, mission-driven work environment, aligned to our values. In addition, we offer:
- Full time salaried position
- Four weeks’ vacation plus twelve sick days
- Competitive extended health benefits after three months
- Employer RRSP contributions of 7.5% (with no matching requirement) after three months
- Fast-paced work-place culture of collaboration, passion and respect
- And yes, there are kittens and puppies (and sometimes budgies and rabbits), too!
How to apply:
If you are up for the challenge, and looking for an opportunity to lead (and are legally entitled to work in Canada), we would love to hear from you. Please submit your resume, together with a cover letter telling us why you are excited to join the team. Click on apply now or use the link to apply https://spca.bc.ca/about-us/careers/
We thank you for your interest in the BC SPCA, however; only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No telephone calls, please.
The BC SPCA is a Registered Charity BN 11881 9036 RR0001
About BC SPCA
The BC SPCA is the only animal welfare organization in B.C. with the authority to enforce animal cruelty laws under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (PCA Act). We are the largest animal welfare organization of our kind in North America and the largest animal sheltering society in the world. We have 44 locations across B.C. including:
36 branches which care for abused and homeless animals, until they are adopted into new homes (including two facilities with large animal barns)
Three animal hospitals (Vancouver, Burnaby and Penticton)
Two spay/neuter clinics (Kamloops and Prince George)
Wild ARC, our wildlife rehabilitation centre in Metchosin
A provincial call centre in Victoria
Our provincial office in Vancouver, which oversees animal cruelty investigations, advocacy and education for youth and adults and other key activities across B.C.
We assist more than 97,109 animals in need every year and are funded by compassionate animal lovers who support our work and partner with us to protect and enhance the quality of life for domestic, farm and wild animals in B.C. See more stats at a glance.
We are committed to achieving the highest standards of transparency and accountability in all our activities. In order to maintain these high standards of accountability and to foster public confidence in the work of our organization, we undertake to provide the public with information on our governance, operations and financial position.