Description

Chief Executive Officer

Reporting to the Board of Directors

Remote (USA)

The RECOVER Initiative seeks a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead a young, independent nonprofit with a long-established global reputation as the internationally recognized authority in veterinary CPR. RECOVER has entered a pivotal stage: after years as a program supported by partner organizations, it is now operating as a standalone 501(c)(3) with its own Board, infrastructure, staff, revenue streams, and strategic choices. The next CEO will inherit a respected brand, a dedicated team, an engaged expert community, and a moment of significant opportunity.

RECOVER’s mission is to empower people to provide lifesaving care to animals through education, science, and community. Its vision is to create a connected worldwide community in which all animal caregivers are competent and confident in providing optimal lifesaving care to animals. The organization advances this work through three mutually reinforcing areas: education and certification, evidence-based guidelines, and research that addresses knowledge gaps in veterinary resuscitation.

This is a role for a builder and stabilizer: a leader who can protect and grow earned revenue, professionalize internal systems, support a high-performing remote team, and expand RECOVER’s reach without compromising scientific rigor or educational quality. The CEO will report to the Board and work closely with the Executive Committee to move from startup mode toward sustainable scale, translating a strong mission and respected technical foundation into broader adoption, stronger partnerships, and measurable impact.

The ideal CEO will bring operating discipline, business acumen, confidence with digital education platforms, and a relationship-centered leadership style. Clinical veterinary expertise is not required, but the CEO must be able to earn trust among veterinary professionals, researchers, instructors, volunteers, and industry stakeholders. The successful candidate will be comfortable leading a small organization where strategic leadership and hands-on execution coexist, especially during the next phase of organizational maturation.

For candidates motivated by mission, scale, and practical impact, RECOVER offers a distinctive opportunity: to lead a globally respected organization whose work can improve outcomes for animals experiencing cardiopulmonary arrest and equip caregivers with the skills, confidence, and preparation to respond when seconds matter.

The salary range for this position annually is between $185,000 and $205,000 and will be commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits include paid time off, paid holidays, family/individual health insurance coverage, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), a retirement plan with a 3% employer match, life insurance, disability insurance, a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), pet insurance, and performance-based bonus potential. 

Interested candidates should submit a current résumé and a thoughtfully prepared cover letter describing their interest in the position and relevant leadership experience. To apply, please send a current resume and cover letter to https://www.kittlemansearch.com/recover-ceo.

Applications received by Wednesday, September 30, 2026, will receive full consideration; however, the search will remain open until the position is filled.

For additional information about the RECOVER Initiative, visit https://recoverinitiative.org/.

For more details about the position, please see the RECOVER Initiative CEO Position Guide

Requirements

• Senior leadership experience in a nonprofit, association, continuing education, credentialing, veterinary, healthcare, scientific, or mission-driven organization.
• Demonstrated success managing operations, budgets, revenue streams, staff, contractors, vendors, and organizational systems in a small or mid-sized environment.
• Experience leading an organization through growth, transition, or establishment of core infrastructure, with responsibility for ongoing performance and refinement.
• Experience translating strategy into focused priorities and execution, including making tradeoffs, aligning resources, establishing clear accountability, and delivering measurable outcomes.
• Business development, partnership, marketing, or revenue growth experience, ideally involving digital products, certification, professional education, or global audiences.
• Ability to work effectively with a Board of Directors and to support governance development in a newly independent or evolving organization.
• Familiarity with nonprofit regulatory requirements and operational best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to earn trust and lead effectively alongside expert volunteers, advisory committees, technical contributors, and stakeholders whose time and availability may vary.
• Familiarity with learning management systems, online education, certification programs, customer experience, or product/course development is strongly preferred. 
• Commitment to scientific rigor, evidence-based practice, accessibility, and the mission of improving lifesaving care for animals. 
• Solid financial management experience, including multiyear planning, scenario modeling, budget ownership, revenue-risk management, and ongoing fiscal stewardship.
• Proven ability to lead, support, and hold a team accountable, with clear expectations, performance management, and ongoing development.
• Experience leading remote or distributed teams with strong accountability structures is preferred.