Driving operational and administrative excellence, ensuring performance objectives and contract KPIs are consistently achieved. Building and maintaining strong relationships with client leadership through regular communication and partnership. Leading strategic planning initiatives, including revenue growth strategies, cost optimization, and labor expense management to meet financial performance goals. Mentoring and developing subordinate managers, fostering a high-performance culture and strong leadership pipeline. Designing and implementing strategies to improve service delivery and operational efficiency across all client engagements. The Assistant Vice President (AVP) – Canine Detection Services (K9DS) reports directly to the Vice President, Corporate Compliance, K9’s, & Specialty Programs, and is responsible for leading and expanding the company’s K9DS across all market verticals nationwide. The AVP provides strategic, operational, and regulatory leadership across all K9DS operations and administration, ensuring consistent program quality, client satisfaction, and full compliance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements. The AVP will support and grow K9DS market verticals including Retail Security, Sports & Entertainment, and Cargo Screening. The AVP will partner closely with Market Vice Presidents and other cross-functional leaders to ensure canine capabilities are fully understood, properly positioned, and operationally ready to support existing clients and prospective opportunities. Reporting Structure Reports to: Vice President, Corporate Compliance, K9’s, & Specialty Programs Direct reports: Canine Program Managers supporting Retail Security, Sports & Entertainment, and Cargo Screening; plus additional K9DS leadership roles as assigned. Key Responsibilities · Lead nationwide K9DS operations and administration, ensuring consistent standards, deployment readiness, and service delivery across all U.S. markets. · Drive growth and expansion of the K9DS market verticals by partnering with Market VPs on go-to-market alignment, capability presentations, client solutions, and proposal support. · Own K9DS regulatory and certification compliance across operations and administration, including maintaining program requirements aligned with applicable authorities (e.g., ATF, DOT/PHMSA, TSA and relevant certification standards). · Develop, implement, and maintain K9DS policies, SOPs, training standards, documentation practices, and internal controls; ensure these are embedded in day-to-day operations. · Oversee program quality assurance including proficiency maintenance, operational evaluations, corrective action plans, incident reporting, and continuous improvement across teams and sites. · Provide executive-level client relationship management for key accounts and strategic opportunities; participate in QBRs, audits, and readiness assessments. · Partner with recruiting, training, and operations leaders to ensure staffing models, handler pipelines, canine acquisition/placement, and equipment/logistics meet program needs. · Establish and monitor operational and financial performance targets (service KPIs, utilization, labor and travel cost controls, margin performance) and deliver regular reporting to senior leadership. · Coach and develop Program Managers and field leadership; build a high-performance culture grounded in safety, compliance, professionalism, and client service. · Coordinate cross-functionally with Corporate Compliance, Safety, Legal, HR, Risk Management, and Finance to manage regulatory obligations and client contractual requirements. · Represent the K9DS program with industry stakeholders, clients, and regulatory/certification bodies as required; maintain awareness of evolving security threats, canine detection best practices, and market trends. Travel & Work Conditions This is a remote position. Extensive travel is required to support nationwide operations, client engagements, audits, training, and market expansion activities (expected 50%+ depending on business needs).