Kennel Manager The Gold Leash - 3.1 Naperville, IL Job Details Part-time $17 - $20 an hour 1 hour ago Benefits Paid time off On-the-job training Employee discount Opportunities for advancement Qualifications Companion animal handling Guest reservation booking Customer communication Managing pet care teams Interpersonal skills Managing teams in a customer support role Team leadership Coaching Service scheduling In-person customer service Restaurant management Direct client contact Pet grooming Team development Pet care appointment scheduling Attention to detail Dog handling Leading team collaboration initiatives Communication with pet owners General management Pet care facility sanitization Client interaction via phone calls

Full Job Description Now Hiring:

Experienced Kennel Manager - Join Our Growing Team at The Gold Leash! We are growing our leadership team and looking for an experienced Kennel Manager who can confidently lead both Back-of-House pet care operations and Front-of-House customer service. Are you an experienced pet-care professional who can lead a team, communicate confidently with customers, and stay organized in a fast-paced environment? The Gold Leash is looking for a well-rounded, reliable, and proactive leader who is comfortable working on both sides of the business and is ready to grow with a growing company.

Position:

Kennel Manager -

Part-time or Full-time Location:

Naperville Pay:

Competitive hourly rate + tip pool What You'll Do Back-of-House Leadership Oversee daily kennel operations, including feeding, cleaning, sanitizing, dog handling, and playgroups Lead, guide, and support Pet Techs throughout daily operations and shift transitions Ensure the facility remains safe, organized, clean, and running smoothly Assist with feeding schedules, kennel assignments, medications, and accurate documentation Monitor the dogs in our care and maintain high standards of safety and enrichment Help coach team members and ensure established procedures and expectations are followed Front-of-House & Customer Experience Cover the Front Desk and confidently handle customer check-ins and check-outs Answer customer calls and assist with questions, requests, and general customer service Manage bookings, reservations, and customer scheduling needs Update customer accounts and maintain accurate records, including vaccine information Communicate professionally with pet parents and help create a welcoming, polished customer experience Support the Front-of-House team during busy periods and assist wherever needed What We're Looking For We are looking for a diverse, well-rounded candidate with experience in both FOH and BOH operations who can confidently move between customer service, pet care, and team leadership.

MUST-HAVES

Management experience: Proven ability to lead, coach, and support a team Pet-care experience: Experience working in a kennel, daycare, boarding, grooming, or similar pet-care environment Dog handling experience: Comfortable working hands-on with dogs of different sizes, breeds, and temperaments Front-of-House experience: Comfortable interacting with customers, answering phones, managing bookings, and handling check-ins/check-outs Communication skills: Excellent verbal and written communication with both customers and team members

Organization:

Able to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail Leadership mindset: Takes ownership, solves problems, and helps the team succeed Additional expectations include: Calm, proactive, and team-driven leadership style Strong attention to detail and ability to follow established protocols Physically active and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment Reliable, punctual, and professional Comfortable switching between customer service and hands-on pet care throughout the day Availability to work weekends and holidays as needed (we are open 365 days per year, 5 AM-8 PM) What It's Like to Work at The Gold Leash Working at The Gold Leash is rewarding, hands-on, and fast-paced. Our team spends the day caring for dogs, maintaining a clean and safe environment, supporting customers, and working together to provide an exceptional experience for pets and their families. This is not a role where every day looks the same. Our Kennel Managers need to be comfortable moving between the kennel, front desk, phone, customer accounts, and team leadership throughout the day.

You should expect to:

Stay active and on your feet throughout your shift Work hands-on with dogs while maintaining high safety standards Interact directly with customers and represent The Gold Leash professionally Respond with urgency when something needs attention Take initiative rather than waiting to be told what needs to be done Communicate clearly with both customers and team members Help keep the entire location organized and running smoothly Who Thrives at The Gold Leash The people who succeed here are:

Reliable:

Shows up on time, prepared, and ready to work

Communicative:

Communicates clearly, professionally, and proactively

Coachability:

Accepts feedback and continues developing

Adaptable:

Comfortable moving between FOH, BOH, customer service, and leadership responsibilities

Proactive:

Sees what needs attention and takes action

Team-focused:

Supports others and helps the entire team succeed

Organized:

Can manage competing priorities without losing attention to detail

Leadership-minded:

Takes ownership and sets a positive example Grow With The Gold Leash The Gold Leash is a growing company, and we want strong team members to have opportunities to grow with us. Our potential leadership path can include: Pet Tech → Advanced Responsibilities → Kennel Manager → Location Leader → Area/Multi-Location Leadership Growth is earned through demonstrated skill, reliability, performance, ownership, and leadership readiness. Advancement is not based on tenure alone and depends on available positions and business needs. We provide structured onboarding, hands-on training, coaching, skill development, and regular feedback to help our team members succeed and prepare for greater responsibility. Perks & Benefits Tip pool Free 10-day daycare package every quarter 20% staff discounts on services and retail 40 hours PTO 25% company contribution to BCBS Insurance - Full-time only Monthly bonus opportunity Room for growth within a supportive, animal-loving team Ready to Turn Your Experience Into Leadership? If you're an experienced pet-care professional with management experience, strong communication skills, and the ability to thrive on both the FOH and BOH sides of the business , we'd love to meet you. We're looking for a leader who wants to do more than simply fill a position — we're looking for someone who wants to grow with The Gold Leash. Apply today and help us continue offering the exceptional care every pet deserves.

Job Type:

Part-time Pay:

$17.00 - $20.00 per hour

Benefits:

Employee discount On-the-job training Opportunities for advancement Paid time off Application Question(s): Why would you like to work for The Gold Leash? Do you have experience in working with dogs in a kennel setting? How many hours a week are you looking for? How soon can you start? Are you comfortable working any shift between 5:00 AM and 8:00 PM What does your availability look like?

Experience:

Manager:

1 year (Preferred) Ability to

Commute:

Naperville, IL 60565 (Required) Ability to

Relocate:

Naperville, IL 60565: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Work Location:

In person