VOLUNTEER FOUNDING CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

VOLUNTEER FOUNDING CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Pre-Funding Startup Period
Safe Haven Animal Network
Arizona — Remote/Hybrid
Safe Haven Animal Network is seeking an experienced, organized and mission-driven individual to serve as its Volunteer Founding Chief Operating Officer during the organization’s pre-funding startup period.
Safe Haven Animal Network is preparing to incorporate as an Arizona nonprofit and apply for federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Our mission is to build a compassionate network connecting animals and families with fosters, rescues, adoption opportunities, veterinary and hardship assistance, lost-and-found services, education, animal-cruelty resources and trusted community partners.
POSITION STATUS
This is an unpaid volunteer executive position during Safe Haven’s pre-incorporation and pre-funding period.
The Chief Operating Officer will report directly to the Founder, President and CEO. The COO will have day-to-day operational authority only within responsibilities and limits formally delegated by the President and, once constituted, the Board of Directors.
This position does not automatically include a voting Board seat.
Any future compensation, employment arrangement or change in authority must be supported by sufficient funding, approved in advance by the Board of Directors and documented in a written agreement. Safe Haven cannot promise salary, benefits or retroactive compensation before those requirements are met.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Founding COO will:
Help transform Safe Haven’s mission and approved plans into organized daily operations.
Develop practical operating procedures for programs and departments.
Coordinate work across animal placement, foster support, volunteers, partnerships, education, hardship assistance and community resources.
Help establish clear responsibilities, reporting relationships and accountability.
Monitor project deadlines, program readiness and operational risks.
Help prepare startup priorities and operating plans.
Coordinate with the President and other authorized leaders.
Support volunteer and staff recruitment, onboarding and supervision within approved authority.
Help ensure that applications, forms, records and workflows are properly organized.
Assist with the development and implementation of approved policies.
Help establish responsible incident-reporting and escalation procedures.
Monitor whether programs have the volunteers, training, insurance, partnerships and resources required to operate safely.
Prepare operational reports for the President and Board.
Help evaluate program performance and recommend improvements.
Support grant readiness, fundraising operations and partnership development.
Protect confidential organizational, personnel, applicant and animal-related information.
Ensure that Safe Haven retains control of its records, accounts, systems and organizational property.
Perform other operational duties authorized by the President or Board.
AUTHORITY AND LIMITATIONS
The COO may make routine operational decisions within an approved scope. The following matters require advance approval from the President and, once constituted, any required Board vote:
Major contracts or legal commitments
Significant purchases or financial obligations
Banking or payment-processing changes
Executive appointments, removals or compensation
Major changes to programs, strategy or organizational structure
Permanent deletion or destruction of organizational records or systems
Actions outside an approved budget or delegated authority
The COO does not have an independent veto over organization-wide decisions or executive reporting relationships.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
We welcome applicants with experience in one or more of the following:
Nonprofit or small-organization operations
Startup development
Program management
Volunteer or personnel supervision
Policy and procedure development
Animal welfare, rescue or shelter operations
Community services
Compliance and risk management
Project management
Budget coordination
Partnership development
Organizational leadership
Prior executive or senior-management experience is strongly preferred. Animal-welfare experience is helpful but not required.
The strongest candidate will demonstrate:
Integrity and sound judgment
Respect for organizational boundaries
Strong communication and problem-solving skills
The ability to create structure in a startup environment
Comfort working with volunteers and limited resources
Willingness to document decisions and maintain accountability
Commitment to collaborative leadership
Respect for the President’s executive authority and the Board’s governance role
TIME AND PARTICIPATION
During the pre-funding period:
The schedule will be flexible and based on reasonable availability.
Priorities and workload will be coordinated with the President.
No fixed full-time schedule is required unless separately agreed in writing.
The COO may maintain other employment and responsibilities.
Responsibilities will be reviewed as Safe Haven develops funding and operational capacity.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants should submit:
A résumé
A brief statement explaining their interest in Safe Haven
A summary of relevant operations or leadership experience
Two professional references
Their general availability
Disclosure of any actual or potential conflicts of interest
Finalists must participate in interviews and complete reference and appropriate background checks with written consent.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications may be submitted through the Available Jobs section at:
https://safehavenanimalnetwork.org
Safe Haven Animal Network welcomes qualified applicants from diverse professional and personal backgrounds who share our commitment to protecting animals, assisting families and building a responsible, compassionate organization.

Work arrangement
No