Daycare & Boarding Manager Obedient K9 Academy Charlotte, NC Job Details Full-time | Contract 1 day ago Benefits Paid training Health insurance Paid time off On-the-job training Employee discount Qualifications Companion animal handling Computer operation Customer communication Managing pet care teams Teamwork Veterinary software Interpersonal skills Outdoor work experience Computer literacy Staff scheduling In-person customer service Animal behavior Team development Hiring Attention to detail Schedule creation Computer skills Full Job Description Obedient K9 Academy | Charlotte, NCFull-Time | Competitive Salary Based on Experience About Obedient K9 Academy Obedient K9 Academy is a growing dog training and daycare facility dedicated to providing structured, safe, and high-quality care for the dogs in our community. We are looking for an experienced and motivated Daycare & Boarding Manager to take ownership of the daily operations of our daycare and boarding department. This is a hands-on leadership position for someone who genuinely loves dogs, understands professional animal care, and enjoys leading a team in a fast-paced environment. The right person will be equally comfortable handling dogs, cleaning kennels, communicating with clients, managing staff, solving problems, and keeping operations organized. If you're someone who notices the details, takes initiative, stays calm under pressure, and genuinely cares about doing things the right way, we'd love to meet you! The Role The Daycare & Boarding Manager is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations, staff, safety, cleanliness, dog care, scheduling, and client experience within our daycare and boarding programs. This is a hands-on management role . While you will be responsible for leading and delegating to the team, you should also expect to jump in and assist with all aspects of daily operations when needed. Daycare & Boarding Operations Oversee all daily daycare and boarding operations Ensure every dog receives safe, attentive, and individualized care Maintain appropriate supervision and dog-to-staff ratios Monitor dog interactions, behavior, energy levels, and overall well-being Recognize signs of stress, illness, injury, discomfort, or behavioral concerns and respond appropriately Ensure each dog's individual feeding, medication, potty, enrichment, and care instructions are followed Coordinate daily arrivals and departures Manage boarding check-ins, check-outs, and extended stays Ensure dogs are properly housed, separated, grouped, and rotated according to their individual needs Coordinate daycare group schedules and play/structured activity periods Maintain consistent routines and structure throughout the facility Communicate with the training department regarding dogs with specific training, behavior, or handling requirements Review relevant client and trainer notes prior to dogs participating in daycare or other activities Monitor boarding dogs throughout their stay, including overnight care procedures as applicable Staff Leadership & Management Lead, supervise, and support daycare/kennel staff Create and maintain staff schedules and ensure adequate daily coverage Delegate daily responsibilities and assignments Train new team members on dog handling, cleaning, feeding, medication, safety, and company procedures Ensure staff consistently follow all SOPs and company standards Provide coaching and corrective feedback when necessary Hold team members accountable for completing assigned responsibilities Monitor staff performance, professionalism, attendance, punctuality, and reliability Lead by example and maintain a positive, professional team culture Assist with interviewing, hiring, onboarding, and training new employees Conduct regular team check-ins and communicate operational updates Identify staffing or operational issues and proactively address them with leadership Client Experience Provide friendly, professional, and knowledgeable communication with clients Serve as a primary point of contact for daycare and boarding clients Answer questions regarding daycare, boarding, feeding, medications, schedules, and general care Address client concerns and complaints professionally and calmly Communicate promptly with clients regarding incidents, health concerns, missed meals, injuries, or other important issues Help resolve scheduling or reservation issues Maintain a high standard of customer service from drop-off through pick-up Build positive relationships with clients and their dogs Ensure client instructions and special requests are properly documented and communicated to staff Safety, Health & Emergency Procedures Maintain a safe environment for dogs, employees, and clients Enforce all company safety and dog-handling procedures Ensure required vaccinations and health requirements are met Monitor dogs for signs of illness or injury Follow established protocols for injuries, illnesses, behavioral incidents, bites, escapes, and other emergencies Complete and document incident reports accurately and promptly Communicate emergencies to leadership and pet owners according to company procedures Ensure medications are properly stored, documented, and administered according to established protocols Maintain accurate medication and care records Know and follow emergency evacuation procedures Maintain awareness of facility security and prevent unauthorized access or escapes Facility & Cleanliness Maintain a clean, organized, sanitary, and safe facility Ensure kennels, play areas, yards, common areas, and equipment are cleaned and disinfected according to company standards Create and enforce daily cleaning schedules Ensure staff complete cleaning assignments thoroughly and on time Monitor facility condition and report maintenance concerns Maintain organization of food, medications, cleaning supplies, equipment, and other inventory Monitor inventory levels and communicate when supplies need to be ordered Ensure laundry, dishes, waste removal, and other facility duties are completed Maintain a professional appearance throughout the facility Scheduling & Administrative Responsibilities Manage daycare and boarding reservations Maintain accurate client and dog records Monitor upcoming reservations, boarding stays, cancellations, and schedule changes Ensure appropriate daycare capacity and staffing levels Review daily and upcoming schedules for potential conflicts or operational concerns Maintain accurate feeding, medication, incident, and care documentation Complete daily opening and closing procedures Review and complete daily operational checklists Assist leadership with reporting, tracking, and other administrative responsibilities Help identify opportunities to improve efficiency and organization within the department Inventory & Department Management Monitor food, treats, cleaning supplies, medications, bedding, enrichment items, and other department supplies Maintain appropriate inventory levels Communicate ordering needs to leadership Help control waste and unnecessary expenses Ensure department equipment is properly maintained and used safely Identify operational needs and recommend improvements Help maintain department standards as the business continues to grow QualificationsRequired Previous professional experience working with dogs Previous experience in a dog daycare, boarding facility, kennel, veterinary clinic, training facility, shelter, or similar animal-care environment Genuine love and passion for dogs Comfortable safely handling dogs of different breeds, sizes, ages, energy levels, and temperaments Strong understanding of basic canine behavior and body language Strong communication and interpersonal skills Highly organized and detail-oriented Reliable, punctual, and dependable Ability to work independently and take initiative Ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment Comfortable making decisions and solving problems independently Ability to remain calm and professional during stressful or unexpected situations Comfortable providing leadership and holding others accountable Strong customer service skills Basic computer proficiency Ability to learn and use scheduling, communication, and management software Ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time Ability to bend, squat, kneel, lift, carry, and physically interact with dogs throughout the workday Ability to lift and carry dogs, food bags, cleaning supplies, equipment, and other items as needed Comfortable working around barking dogs, dog hair, cleaning products, bodily fluids, and the general realities of a busy dog-care facility Willingness to work weekends, holidays, and varying schedules as needed based on boarding operations Preferred Previous daycare, kennel, or boarding management experience Previous supervisory or team-lead experience Experience using Gingr or similar pet-care management software Experience administering medications to dogs Dog training experience Formal education or certifications related to animal care Pet First Aid/CPR certification Experience handling dogs with behavioral challenges or special needs Experience creating staff schedules Experience with inventory management Experience handling client complaints and conflict resolution What Makes Someone Successful in This Role? We are looking for someone who: Loves dogs. You should genuinely enjoy being around dogs and take pride in providing excellent care. Leads by example. You're not afraid to clean a kennel, pick up a mess, handle a difficult dog, or jump in when your team needs help. Pays attention to details. Small things matter when you're responsible for the care and safety of someone's pet. Takes ownership. We want someone who sees a problem and works toward a solution instead of waiting to be told what to do. Can lead people. You should be comfortable giving direction, providing feedback, delegating responsibilities, and holding employees accountable while maintaining a positive team environment. Stays calm under pressure. Dogs, clients, employees, and schedules don't always go according to plan. We need someone who can think clearly and handle challenges professionally. Is organized. There are a lot of moving pieces in daycare and boarding. Strong organization and communication are essential. Cares about the client experience. We aren't just caring for dogs—we're caring for someone's family member. Clients should feel confident that their dog is safe, loved, and well cared for while they're with us. Physical Requirements This is an active, hands-on position. The Daycare & Boarding Manager should be able to: Stand and walk for extended periods throughout the workday Bend, squat, kneel, reach, and move frequently Safely handle dogs of varying sizes and temperaments Lift and carry dogs when necessary Lift and carry food bags, cleaning supplies, equipment, laundry, and other items Perform repetitive cleaning and sanitizing tasks Work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions Safely respond to active or unexpected dog behavior Schedule & Availability This is a full-time position . Because daycare and boarding operations require consistent coverage, the manager must have flexibility to work weekends, holidays, early mornings, evenings, and/or varying schedules as needed. The ideal candidate understands that boarding operations may require additional flexibility around holidays and high-volume periods.

Compensation & Benefits Salary:

Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications Benefits/Perks may include: Employee discounts on training, daycare, and boarding services Professional development and training opportunities Growth opportunities within a rapidly growing company Supportive, team-oriented work environment Opportunity to work alongside professional dog trainers Medical insurance Paid Time Off Why Join Obedient K9 Academy? We have a passion for helping dogs and their owners build better relationships. Our daycare and boarding program is designed around structured, thoughtful care—not simply letting dogs run around all day. As our Daycare & Boarding Manager, you'll have the opportunity to help shape and grow the department, develop your team, improve systems and procedures, and play a major role in the experience we provide to our clients and their dogs. If you're an experienced dog professional who is ready to take ownership of a growing department and make a real impact, we'd love to hear from you! Apply today to join the Obedient K9 Academy team.

Expected hours:

40.0 per week

Benefits:

Employee discount Health insurance On-the-job training Paid time off Paid training

Work Location:

In person