Sr. Director, Strategic Programs & Partnerships

Sr. Director Strategic Programs & Partnerships - PetSmart Charities

Position Summary

The Senior Director of Strategic Programs & Partnerships is an executive-level role responsible for leading a team who oversee more than $30M annually in strategic grantmaking. This role leads the strategic development and execution of programmatic and grant initiatives to advance our mission: making the world a better place for pets and those who love them. This newly created role reports to the President of PetSmart Charities and is ideal for a seasoned leader with deep experience in corporate philanthropy, foundation strategy, nonprofit program design, or strategic consulting.

This role oversees a diverse portfolio including in-store adoptions and pet placement, access to veterinary care, pet hunger, and disaster response programs. The Sr. Director, Strategic Programs & Partnerships drives innovation and measurable impact through data-informed strategy, cross-functional collaboration, and external engagement. To optimize the impact of PetSmart Charities’ initiatives, they also play a critical role in understanding PetSmart’s strategic priorities, fostering influence through effective relationship-building and a deep understanding of the retail environment.

This is not a fundraising or development role.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Program Oversight

• Design and implement funding strategies aligned with organizational goals that reflect relevant best practices in foundation grantmaking and social impact.
• Lead cross-functional planning and implementation of programs including in-store adoptions, access to veterinary care, pet hunger, and disaster response.
• Partner with internal teams to ensure marketing, communications, systems, compliance, and analytics support program excellence and impact.
• Proactively identify emerging trends and opportunities in animal welfare, human services, and philanthropy, applying innovative thinking to shape future program strategies and pilot new initiatives.
• Ensure effective processes in program delivery, track program impact data, and generate insights that drive ongoing improvements.

Communication & External Engagement

• Build and manage high-impact relationships with PetSmart and other corporate and nonprofit partners to align shared goals and drive joint initiatives.
• Represent PetSmart Charities in national philanthropic forums, thought leadership platforms, and sector convenings to elevate the organization’s voice and influence.
• Develop compelling presentation materials and visual content tailored to diverse audiences including corporate partners, nonprofit stakeholders, board members, and internal teams.

Team Development & Leadership

• Lead and inspire a team, including Directors and various levels, setting clear expectations, providing ongoing guidance, and cultivating a collaborative, accountable, and inclusive team culture.
• Champion a culture of learning and continuous improvement by embedding outcome measurement, evaluation, and feedback loops into all programmatic efforts.
• Ensure staff receive appropriate training and development to support evolving program needs.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, or related field; Master’s preferred.
• Minimum 7+ years of experience in corporate philanthropy, foundation leadership, or strategic nonprofit program management.
• Proven success in launching and managing multi-stakeholder programs.
• Exposure to retail environments and understanding of retail operations strongly preferred.
• Experience in management consulting, strategic advisory, or similar roles with a focus on philanthropy, nonprofit strategy, or cross-sector partnerships is highly desirable.

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic and analytical thinking, with the ability to synthesize data for decision-making and compelling storytelling.
• Expert presentation and visual storytelling skills, using tools like PowerPoint, Canva, or similar platforms to engage diverse audiences.
• Tailors messaging effectively for executive, operational, and community-level stakeholders.
• Exceptional communication, facilitation, and relationship-building abilities.
• Leads with humility and empathy, inspiring teams through trust, inclusion, and shared success.
• Proven influencer across cross-functional teams and external partners.
• Proven financial acumen, with experience managing large budgets.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and digital collaboration tools.

Travel Requirements

Approximately 30% travel across the U.S. and Canada.