Job Summary

The Association Director will lead the transformation and growth of the Animal Welfare Association of Colorado by combining essential administrative operations with strategic initiatives designed to expand organizational capacity, funding, and member impact. This role serves as the operational backbone of AWAC while driving revenue diversification, program enhancement, and member engagement strategies that position the organization for sustainable growth and increased service to Colorado’s animal welfare community.

Organization Information

Organization Name: Animal Welfare Association of Colorado

Website: www.awac.net

About AWAC: The Animal Welfare Association of Colorado exists to focus on issues that affect animals and communities in Colorado. Through professional development, advocacy, and collaboration, AWAC represents a powerful voice in the protection of companion animals in Colorado. AWAC is committed to enhancing the Colorado network of humane communities for all pets and people.

Position Information

FLSA Status: Salaried, Exempt

Hiring Manager Job Title: AWAC Board of Directors

Position Job Title: Association Director

Employment Status: Part-time

Expected Hours: Averaging 25 hours per week

Exempt Salary: $60,000 – $65,000 annually

Primary Location: Remote with on-site requirements for conference, training, and Board events

Reports to: Association President

Supervises: 0 (with potential for future part-time administrative support staff)

Primary Job Duties

Strategic Revenue Development

Grant Administration & Expansion: Research, write, and submit grant proposals to foundations, government agencies, and corporate funders. Manage existing grants including reporting, compliance, and relationship management. Develop and maintain grant calendar and tracking system.
Sponsor Stewardship & Development: Working alongside the Board’s Fundraising Committee, cultivate relationships with current sponsors and identify new sponsorship opportunities. Create compelling sponsorship packages, manage sponsor benefits delivery, and ensure exceptional sponsor experience. Develop corporate partnership strategies aligned with organizational mission.
Funding Strategy: Work with the Board to develop comprehensive revenue diversification plan. Analyze funding trends and opportunities specific to animal welfare sector. Create sustainable revenue models to support organizational growth.
Budget Development & Financial Planning: Lead annual budget development process in collaboration with the Board Treasurer. Develop program-specific budgets for grants, events, and initiatives. Monitor budget performance and provide regular financial analysis to support strategic decision-making.

Program Management & Enhancement

Conference Leadership: Working alongside the Board’s Education Committee and Conference Subcommittee, oversee all aspects of annual conference including strategic planning, budget development, vendor negotiations, speaker recruitment and management, sponsor placement and support, registration systems, printing and design services, catering, and post-event evaluation. Enhance conference value proposition for members and sponsors.
Training & Professional Development: Working alongside the Board’s Education Committee and Animal Control Committee, provide administrative support for regional training opportunities, annual spring training for animal control officers, and continuing education initiatives. Develop new offerings based on member needs assessment and industry trends.
Collaboration Efforts: Working alongside the Board’s Collaboration Committee, provide administrative support for the shelter exchange program and the peer networking programs, creating standardized processes and measuring program outcomes.
Program Evaluation: Implement systematic evaluation methods for all programs, track outcomes, and use data to drive continuous improvement.

Member Engagement & Communications

Targeted Membership Engagement: Develop and implement member retention and recruitment strategies. Create targeted communication and engagement plans for different member segments. Conduct regular needs assessments and satisfaction surveys.
Enhanced Communications: Transform organizational communications including website content, monthly newsletter, social media presence, and member resources. Create professional marketing materials and brand consistency across all platforms.
Member Services: Manage membership database, dues collection, and member inquiry responses. Develop member benefits packages and exclusive resources.

Legislative & Advocacy Coordination

Legislative Liaison: Act as main connection between AWAC’s Advocacy Committee and the organization’s lobbyist, ensuring clear and consistent communication. Support the Advocacy Committee by organizing meetings, tracking legislative priorities, and following up on action items.
Policy Monitoring & Analysis: Monitor local, state, and federal policy issues that affect AWAC’s mission and share timely updates with the Board and Advocacy Committee. Provide regular updates to the Board on legislative activity and organizational involvement.
Advocacy Materials Development: Collaborate with the Board and Advocacy Committee to prepare accessible materials such as policy updates, position papers, and talking points. Ensure advocacy efforts align with AWAC’s mission, vision, and values.
Member Engagement in Advocacy: Communicate legislative updates and advocacy opportunities to membership, facilitating member engagement in advocacy activities. Ensure members have resources needed to effectively advocate for animal welfare policies.

Administrative Operations

Board & Committee Support: Provide administrative support for board and committee meetings including scheduling, agenda development, materials preparation, facilitation support, minutes, and follow-up coordination.
Financial Administration: Assist treasurer with administrative tasks, budget tracking, financial reporting, and audit support.
Organizational Infrastructure: Maintain and improve organizational systems, databases, file management, and operational procedures. Implement technology solutions to enhance efficiency.

Education and Experience

Required:

Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business administration, communications, or related field, OR equivalent combination of education and experience
3-5 years of progressive experience in nonprofit operations, association management, or related field
Demonstrated experience with grant writing, administration, and reporting
Experience managing events, conferences, or programs
Strong background in membership organizations or stakeholder engagement

Preferred:

Experience in animal sheltering, animal protection, or related field
Previous association management experience
Experience with CRM systems and membership databases
Background in marketing, communications, or public relations

Knowledge & Skills

Strategic Planning & Execution – Ability to translate organizational vision into actionable plans, manage multiple strategic initiatives simultaneously, and measure progress toward goals.
Grant Development & Administration – Knowledge of grant research, proposal writing, budget development, reporting requirements, and compliance standards for foundations, government, and corporate funders.
Revenue Development – Experience in diversifying funding streams including sponsorships, grants, membership revenue, and donor cultivation strategies.
Program Management – Ability to design, implement, and evaluate programs while managing timelines, budgets, stakeholder expectations, and outcome measurement.
Stakeholder Engagement – Skills in building and maintaining relationships with diverse stakeholders including members, sponsors, government officials, and community partners.
Communications & Marketing – Proficiency in creating compelling content across multiple channels, brand management, and targeted audience engagement strategies.
Customer Service – Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer services, including needs assessment and satisfaction evaluation.
Administration and Management – Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Complex Problem Solving– Identifying complex organizational challenges and developing innovative, sustainable solutions.
Technology Proficiency – Advanced skills in database management, website content management, social media platforms, virtual meeting technology, and Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Drive, Gmail).

Work Context

Communication – Regular communication with board members, committee chairs, members, sponsors, government officials, and external partners. Serves as primary organizational spokesperson in many contexts.
Role Relationships – Partners strategically with the board of directors while maintaining operational independence. Collaborates with committee chairs, manages vendor relationships, and serves as liaison with legislative representatives and lobbyist.
Work Setting – Primarily remote work with on-site requirements for conferences, events, trainings, and strategic meetings. Some travel within Colorado required.
Pace and Scheduling – Self-directed role requiring strong project management skills. Must balance ongoing administrative responsibilities with strategic initiative deadlines and seasonal peaks (conference planning, legislative sessions, grant cycles). Flexible scheduling with seasonal variations in workload.
Equipment – Employee responsible for providing all technical equipment required for the position including smartphone, laptop, and reliable internet. AWAC will not provide reimbursement for equipment purchase or maintenance.

Benefits

Two weeks (50 hours) of paid sick leave annually
Two weeks (50 hours) of paid vacation in the first year of employment

Application closing date: September 30, 2025

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