Our Vision: To be a leader in animal welfare, working for a compassionate society where all animals are respected and valued.
Our Mission: To Improve the Lives of Animals.
Job Summary
The Senior Manager, Animal-Integrated Social Services provides operational leadership across a portfolio of community-facing animal social service programs at Toronto Humane Society. Reporting to the Director, Community Animal Welfare, with a dotted-line relationship to the Director, Social Work for clinical standards and professional practice oversight, this role is responsible for the day-to-day management of programming, staff, and service delivery. The Senior Manager ensures that all programs within their portfolio operate with consistency, compassion, and alignment with organizational values, and supports the development and growth of new programming initiatives as the field evolves.
Job Duties
Program Leadership & Operations – 50%
- Provide day-to-day operational leadership across a portfolio of animal social service programs, which may include community support services, temporary animal care programs, client-facing service delivery, and emerging programming areas such as grief and bereavement support.
- Oversee the delivery of community-facing programs within the portfolio, ensuring equitable access, client dignity, and service quality are maintained across all touchpoints.
- Directly supervise program staff across the portfolio, including social workers, care coordinators, and program managers, fostering a high-performing, values-driven team culture.
- Develop and maintain operational procedures, protocols, and service standards across all program areas, in alignment with clinical direction provided by the Director, Social Work.
- Maintain and develop community and agency partnerships that strengthen program reach and client outcomes.
- Identify gaps in service, emerging community needs, and opportunities for new programming, and bring forward recommendations to senior leadership.
- Support the recruitment, onboarding, supervision, and performance management of direct reports.
- Lead and foster an environment of teamwork, inclusion, and continuous learning within the team.
- Foster, promote, and advance Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in all aspects of program delivery and team culture.
Community Service Delivery – 20%
- Support staff in navigating complex client situations, providing guidance on escalations, difficult scenarios, and intersecting human and animal welfare concerns.
- Coordinate across programs to ensure clients and animals with intersecting needs receive integrated, seamless support.
- Where applicable, provide direct client support and case management, including engagement with clients in temporary animal care and support programs.
- Ensure logistics and operational functions that support service delivery, such as transportation, supply management, and scheduling, are functioning effectively.
Provincial Animal Welfare Response – 15%
- Support the Coordination of THS’s participation as a secondary responder and care provider under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) Act, providing care and placement for animals that have been seized, forfeited, or removed.
- Assist in the development and maintenance protocols for animals supported through the provincial response function, in collaboration with relevant internal teams and external agencies.
- Support engagement with provincial animal welfare officers and partner agencies to ensure smooth case transfers, clear communication, and appropriate documentation.
- Ensure staff supporting this function are appropriately trained, oriented to legal and procedural requirements, and supported in managing high-complexity cases.
Administration & Reporting – 10%
- Prepare and present regular operational reports on program performance, outcomes, and emerging trends for senior leadership review.
- Maintain accurate program records, case data, and outcome metrics in organizational systems.
- Monitor program budgets and flag resource pressures or variances to leadership in a timely manner.
- Facilitate effective communication and coordination between program staff, organizational departments, and external partners.
Compliance – 5%
- Ensure all program operations comply with applicable legislation, THS policies and protocols, and relevant professional standards.
- Maintain working knowledge of the PAWS Act as it pertains to THS’s secondary responder role and responsibilities.
- Ensure staff understand and adhere to safe work practices in accordance with the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act.
- Report serious or unusual incidents in accordance with THS reporting procedures.
- Maintain a positive and professional representation of THS in all stakeholder interactions.
Job Requirements
- Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Psychotherapy, or a related discipline; membership in good standing with the applicable Ontario regulatory college is required, such as the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario, College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, or College of Nurses of Ontario.
- Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in community services, social services, or a related field with at least 2 years of direct people management experience, including supervision of staff or program managers.
- Experience providing clinical or practice guidance in community-based social work or human services settings.
- Experience working with vulnerable populations using a trauma-informed, equity-centred approach.
- Experience in or demonstrated understanding of animal welfare programming is strongly preferred.
- Experience developing, implementing, or improving community-based programs, services, or operational processes.
- Experience building and maintaining effective partnerships with community agencies, service providers, or external stakeholders.
- Experience supporting staff and clients in complex, high-acuity, or crisis-informed service environments.
- Familiarity with the Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) Act and the role of secondary responders is an asset.
- Strong operational planning, problem-solving, and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple programs simultaneously.
- Effective interpersonal and communication skills; able to work collaboratively across departments and with diverse community partners.
- Proficiency in case management and data systems; comfort with reporting and data-informed program management.
- Valid Ontario driver’s licence is an asset.
Work Conditions
- Interaction with employees, management, community partners, and the public under varying circumstances, including situations of a highly sensitive nature.
- Flexible hours may be required, including evenings, weekends, or response to urgent operational needs.
- Exposure to animals and associated environmental conditions.
- May involve lifting, carrying, or moving materials associated with program operations.
- High-empathy environment involving regular engagement with clients and animals experiencing distress or hardship.
This posting is for an existing job vacancy.
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Candidate Potential
At Toronto Humane Society, we value diverse perspectives and recognize that a great candidate may not check every box. If you're passionate about animal welfare and believe you have the potential to excel in this role, we encourage you to apply, even if you may not meet every listed qualification. You just might be the right candidate for this or other roles. We are committed to providing a supportive environment for professional growth and development.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Toronto Humane Society is committed to building and sustaining a diverse and equitable workplace where people’s unique backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, respected, and welcome. We recognize that a diverse and empowered workforce helps us better serve our animals, clients, and community and contributes to Toronto Humane Society’s overall growth and success. Therefore, we strongly encourage qualified applications from underrepresented and equity-deserving groups within the animal welfare sector, including Indigenous, Black, racialized, newcomers, 2S/LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities.
Accommodation Needs
Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process providing the applicant has met the Bona-fide requirements for the open position. Applicants need to make their requirements known when contacted.
Use of AI in Recruitment
To streamline our hiring process, we utilize an applicant tracking system (ATS) to manage and organize applications. While the ATS aids in efficiency, the core evaluation of candidates is carried out by our human resources team. This approach ensures a personalized review that allows us to gain a comprehensive understanding of the applicant's unique skills and potential.
Next Steps
We thank all applicants for their interest in Toronto Humane Society, however due to the high number of applications we receive, only those selected will be contacted for an interview.
