Join our Dream Team

As of 3/22/24, we are hiring for the following position(s): Executive Director & Cafe Manager

Executive Director @ Constellation Cat Cafe

Constellation Cat Cafe’s mission is to create a safe environment for all people to discover the joy of pet ownership through education, inclusive events, and outreach. We support local animal rescue shelters in capacity building and finding homes for adoptable cats. Our team works tirelessly to provide compassionate care for our cats and excellent service for our community.

Position Summary

The Executive Director oversees all of Constellation Cat Cafe’s operations and activities. They serve as the face of the organization, plan and execute a high-level strategic vision, and continuously refine the organization’s offerings to best serve our cats and community. 

Responsibilities

  • Provide ongoing training, support and professional development for staff.
  • Promote the brand through earned media, newsletter, and social media.
  • Forge and maintain mutually beneficial partnerships with local rescues.
  • Ensure high standards of cat care and qualifications for cafe residence are being met (on both ends).
  • Plan and implement fundraisers alongside fundraising assistant/committee.
  • Cultivate relationships with monthly donors and high value donors.
  • Fluidly adapt service offerings in response to current events and rescue needs.
  • Coordinate with Board of Directors to plan and implement long-term goals and ensure 501c3 compliance.
  • Maintain a culture of kindness, respect, and encouragement among employees, volunteers, and community members.
  • Build relationships with Old Town business owners, neighbors and OTCA.
  • Work with general manager and accountant on financial activities including managing the annual budget, submitting taxes, and complying with audits.

Required Skills/Experience

  • Employee management: Manage employees effectively, address problems quickly and directly, and mentor and develop staff.
  • Public speaking: Represent Constellation Cat Cafe in media appearances, at public events, and within the community.
  • Fundraising: Confidently solicit donations on behalf of the nonprofit, from asking cafe visitors to round up to the nearest dollar to asking benefactors to make large contributions.
  • Writing: Communicate with a variety of audiences matching the established brand voice
  • Customer service: Provide a positive experience for visitors, staff, and employees through a positive, outgoing, and professional attitude at all times.
  • Grace under pressure: Work in a fast-paced environment without getting overwhelmed, displaying stress or becoming frustrated with cats, customers, or coworkers.
  • Attention to detail: Be detail-oriented and thorough in completing work tasks.
  • Dependability: Be reliable, responsible, and fulfill obligations.
  • Adaptability: Adapt to change in the workplace. Prioritize and multitask based on changing circumstances.
  • Organization: Maintain organized systems and follow a systematic method of performing a task.
  • Communication: Communicate and listen with tact and empathy. Comfortable having difficult conversations with strangers. Respond promptly to messages and questions.
  • Integrity: Be honest and ethical.
  • Education: High School Diploma or equivalent required. All employees must be 18+ years old.

Desired Experience

Candidates with experience in the following areas will be given priority consideration:

  • Animal rescue: Care for cats in a shelter or rescue environment, according to agreed upon policies and standards.
  • Grant writing: Apply for grants to fund current operations and desired program offerings.
  • Networking: Grow genuine relationships and develop connections with community members and business owners to build a bigger team of supporters working towards our goals.
  • Nonprofit management: Experience working in a leadership position within a nonprofit, or specific education related to managing nonprofits.
  • Marketing: Work with the communications committee and social media manager to plan and implement a comprehensive strategy to promote the brand.
  • Graphic design: Use Canva to create graphics and templates aligned with our visual brand.
  • Website management: Maintain and update existing website (built on WordPress).
  • Barista skills: Use an espresso machine to make drinks in a cafe or restaurant setting.
  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in any relevant field.

We like you for you

Constellation Cat Cafe is committed to creating a safe, inclusive environment that reflects our diverse community. BIPOC and LGBTQ+ applicants are encouraged to apply. CCC commits to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

Compensation and Benefits

Annual salary $39,520. 10 days paid vacation and 5 days paid sick leave yearly. At this stage, CCC is not able to offer health, dental, or vision insurance.

How to apply

Apply here. You will need an updated resume and contact information for at least 2 professional references to complete the application. We will review applications as they come in and may begin interviews as early as April 22. We will not contact you unless you are selected to move forward.

Cafe Manager @ Constellation Cat Cafe

This is an in-person role located at 3320 East Lake Lansing Road in East Lansing, MI.

The Cafe Manager position requires excellent communication skills and the determination to practice and master all drink recipes and techniques. The ideal candidate is a customer service rockstar, is comfortable working with diverse populations, and enthusiastically embraces Constellation Cat Cafe’s mission to find homes for rescue cats. 

The primary responsibilities of the cafe manger are leading the team of baristas, providing excellent service to visitors, preparing specialty drinks to a high standard of flavor and presentation, and setting up systems to keep the cafe stocked, organized, and clean.

The cafe manager will also process cat adoptions, which require sound judgement and difficult conversations. The ideal candidate is outgoing and friendly, and can provide a positive experience for all cat cafe visitors and staff. All employees are always expected to exhibit a positive and professional attitude.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential responsibility satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Cafe Responsibilities:

  • Modify and expand Constellation’s current drink offerings in accordance with trend, seasonality, customer preference and brand identity.
  • Train new baristas to pull shots, steam milk, pour basic latte art, and prepare all drinks to a high standard according to established recipes.
  • Explain menu, make suggestions and answer any inquiries.
  • Describe current promotions and new products.
  • Take customer orders accurately.
  • Prepare coffee, tea, lattes, milkshakes and other specialty drinks.
  • Take extra care to meet agreed-upon presentation standards.
  • Serve prepared food items such as muffins and cookies.
  • Comply with health, safety and hygiene guidelines and regulations.
  • Maintain clean and hygienic work area.
  • Dismantle and clean machinery as needed.
  • Monitor and track inventory.
  • Lead regular 1:1s with baristas.
  • Shop for cafe groceries (in person) and order supplies (online).
  • Plan and lead co-workers during regular deep cleans of cafe/equipment.

General Responsibilities:

  • Complete opening and closing checklists.
  • Welcome visitors & explain how the cat cafe functions.
  • Maintain cleanliness of cafe and gift shop throughout the day.
  • Book appointments via Acuity.
  • Explain & enforce cat room rules.
  • Collect payment via Square POS.
  • Answer questions/respond to inquiries via text, phone call, social media, and email.
  • Provide information on policies, mission, programs, and events to the public.
  • Train employees on cash handling, customer service, cleaning, and other responsibilities.

Adoptions Responsibilities:

  • Learn about cat behavior, common challenges, and ways to deal with challenges.
  • Discuss compatibility with family/home/other animals.
  • Educate adopters about proper pet care, needed supplies, and wellness protocols.
  • Explain terms of adoption contract.
  • Collect adoption fee via ShelterLuv, cash, or check made out to rescue partner.
  • Process and finalize adoptions, including updating animal database records, photographing adoptions.


Required Qualifications

  • Customer Service: Provide an excellent experience for visitors, staff, and employees through a positive, outgoing, and professional attitude at all times.
  • Barista Skills: Dial in manual espresso machine, pull shots, steam milk, and pour basic latte art. At least 1 year of experience working as a barista is required.
  • Initiative: Do things without being told, solve problems independently and seek out opportunities for growth.
  • Grace under pressure: Work in a fast-paced environment without getting overwhelmed, displaying stress or becoming frustrated with cats, customers, or coworkers.
  • Attention to Detail: Be detail-oriented and thorough in completing work tasks.
  • Dependability: Be reliable and responsible. Show up on time and do assigned tasks.
  • Adaptability: Adapt to change in the workplace. Prioritize and multitask based on changing circumstances.
  • Organization: Maintain organized systems and follow a systematic method of performing tasks.
  • Communication: Communicate and listen with tact and empathy. Push through discomfort to have difficult conversations with customers and coworkers in a calm, respectful, and honest manner.
  • Integrity: Be honest and ethical.
  • Education: High School Diploma or equivalent required. All employees must be 18+ years old.

Desired Experience

Candidates with experience in the following areas will be given priority consideration:

  • Managing employees.
  • Creating new specialty drinks.
  • Ordering and managing supply stock.
  • Training team members.

Schedule

30-35 hours per week. Weekend availability required.

Compensation

Starting wage is $14/hour.
Performance-based raises available every 6 months.
Multiple pathways for advancement and promotions based on skills and interests.

Paid Leave

Employees averaging 35+ hours/week receive 5 paid sick days and 10 days of paid vacation each year. (These absences will only be paid days away from work after the employee has been with CCC for 6+ months. At that time, we will prorate your annual paid leave for the remainder of the year.)

We like you for you

Constellation Cat Cafe is committed to creating an inclusive environment that reflects our diverse community. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. CCC commits to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

How to apply

Apply here. You will need an updated resume and contact information for at least 2 professional references to complete the application. We will review applications as they come in and may begin interviews as early as March 29. We will not contact you unless you are selected to move forward.