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PetSmart

Sr. Director, Strategic Programs & Partnerships - PetSmart Charities

PetSmart, Phoenix, Arizona, United States, 85003

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Company:

PetSmart Location:

Phoenix, AZ Employment Type:

Full Time Date Posted:

11/01/2025 Job Categories:

Retail/Wholesale, Sales, Executive Management

Sr. Director Strategic Programs & Partnerships – PetSmart Charities About the Team

PetSmart Charities is a mission-driven nonprofit committed to making the world a better place for pets and all who love them. With over $600 million granted to organizations across the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada, we’ve made a meaningful impact – helping millions of pets find loving homes, expanding access to affordable veterinary care, fighting pet hunger, and providing disaster response in times of crisis.

About the Location

At PetSmart, teamwork and connection are core to how we thrive. This role is based at our Phoenix Home Office, with an expectation of working a minimum of four days in the office each week. In a standard work week, associates may work up to one remote “flex day” (with leader approval). Our hybrid approach is designed to foster strong collaboration while also supporting flexibility and individual success.

About the Job 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.

Additional Job Considerations

This role requires collaboration, teamwork, and face‑to‑face interaction with colleagues, leaders, and/or clients.

Being in the office ensures access to leaders, cross‑functional partners, and resources necessary to make timely decisions and drive results.

On‑site presence in accordance with our FlexSmart policy supports our culture of innovation, mentorship, and engagement, which is integral to our success in developing the best team.

* This is not intended to be an all‑inclusive, exhaustive list of all essential job functions for this position. PetSmart retains the right to change or assign other required job duties to this position.

About the Culture At PetSmart, Anything for Pets begins with our people. Every associate plays a vital role in creating meaningful experiences for pets and their families, and we empower our teams with the tools, resources, and opportunities to grow and succeed.

We’re more than a workplace, we’re Team PetSmart. Together, we grow, collaborate, and challenge ourselves to be the best in all we do. Our culture is built on belonging and shared purpose, where every voice and experience matters. Guided by our values, we strive to do what’s right, lead responsibly, and bring our passion for pets to life every day. Not sure if you meet 100% of the position requirements and whether you should apply? We’d still like to hear from you and encourage you to apply with us! You might be the right fit for this role or another opportunity across Team PetSmart.

Benefits

Pet‑friendly environment – bring your pets to work and enjoy the on‑site dog park!

On‑Site Events & Adoptions – enjoy community‑building opportunities, including pet adoption days, seasonal celebrations, family events, art events, and holiday festivals.

“Top Dog” gym with equipment, fitness classes, massage therapists, personal trainers, and wellness spaces.

“Sit & Stay” Café serving fresh breakfast and lunch options, snacks, & more.

“Lil Paws” NAEYC‑accredited onsite childcare facility providing high‑quality early education.

Paid Volunteer Opportunities to spend time doing good for causes close to heart.

Print Center and Business Services, Dry Cleaning, Mother’s Rooms, Sustainable Infrastructure & more.

PetSmart provides an equal opportunity for all associates and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other legally protected characteristics.

Contact Information

Company Name:

PetSmart Website:

https://careers.petsmart.com/jobs/7…

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