GUIDE DOG FOUNDATION FOR THE BLIND/AMERICA’S VETDOGS
Chief of Staff
Smithtown, New York
BACKGROUND
The Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind is a national leader in training and placing guide and service dogs that provide independence, enhanced mobility, and companionship to people who are blind, have low vision, or who have other special needs. The organization serves clients from across the United States and Canada.
For over 75 years, the Guide Dog Foundation (GDF) has successfully worked with individuals who are deaf-blind and those with disabilities other than blindness or hearing impairment in its trademarked small classes and personalized instruction. In addition to its guide and service dog programs, the Foundation offers extensive education and outreach programs to broaden the public's understanding of visual impairment, as well as access and disability rights.
Guide Dog Foundation created its sister organization America’s VetDogs in 2003 to help those who have served our country honorably live with dignity and independence. Veterans are supported whether they are visually impaired or have other special needs, through the use of assistance dogs. Both guide and service dogs enable veterans to reclaim their independence and maximize the connections to their families, communities and country. Today, America’s VetDogs represents the fastest growing segment of the organization’s operations.
Unique to Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind and America’s VetDogs is their role as one of the country’s largest entities to jointly develop and train both guide dogs and multiple types of service dogs. GDF/AVD trains and places service dogs for those with physical disabilities; guide dogs for individuals who are blind or have low vision; service dogs to help mitigate the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder; hearing dogs for those who have lost their hearing, and facility dogs as part of the rehabilitation process in military and VA hospitals.
While each organization is a separate 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization accredited by the International Guide Dog Federation and Assistance Dogs International, the two organizations share staff and other resources to ensure people with disabilities receive the best services possible.
Over the past few years, the organizations have experienced tremendous growth in revenue, brand recognition and demand for its services, having leveraged high-profile partnerships with the national media and professional sports teams. Further, America’s VetDogs was selected to work with former President George H.W. Bush by providing him with his service dog, Sully.
Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind and America’s VetDogs (the Organization) have a combined operating budget in excess of $19M and is supported by a staff of 160 and over 1,200 volunteers. For more information about GDF/AVD, visit their websites at: www.GuideDog.org and www.vetdogs.org.
POSITION
With the ongoing growth of the Organization, the Chief of Staff is a newly created role, designed specifically to serve as the primary strategic partner to the leadership team. The Chief of Staff position has been created to add to the size and scope of the senior leadership team, to improve bandwidth and to increase organizational effectiveness. The Organization has very ambitious plans and seeks a talented senior executive to join an accomplished team to assume responsibility for a large and growing portfolio.
The Chief of Staff will ensure the efficient and effective execution of organizational priorities, while managing the day-to-day internal operations. This new role will provide additional time for the CEO to be externally facing and focus on organizational growth.
Working from the organization’s 10-acre campus in Smithtown (Long Island, NY) the Chief of Staff reports to the President and CEO and will collaborate closely with the executive leadership team to drive innovation and operational excellence.
This role requires a dynamic individual with exceptional leadership, communication, and analytical skills, capable of driving cross-functional collaboration and supporting complex initiatives and a high performing team. S/he/they are tasked to deliver a full, objective view of the entire organization to provide communication, support, visibility, engagement, responsiveness to decision making, and overall accountability for smooth, seamless workflow.
The Organization operates with a team of dedicated professionals who are committed to providing outstanding services. It is expected that the Chief of Staff will be proactive in assessing organizational administrative capacities and needs and in devising and implementing process improvements. After a successful onboarding process, inclusive of fully understanding the organizations and relationship building with the leadership team, it is expected that the Chief of Staff will take on the responsibility of day-to-day management of the leadership team.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Immerse self in the organization and build relationships to maximize impact on culture and programs.
- Oversee the day-to-day management of the organization under the guidance of the CEO.
- Serve as liaison between the CEO and executive leadership team regarding decision-making, initiative implementation, organizational culture, project updates, proposals, etc.
- Promote a culture of open communication and trust among staff members, encouraging collaboration and shared goals. Develop and build on relationships with all employees for increased efficiency and responsiveness of existing operations.
- Help to define new operational strategies by working with CEO and leadership team members.
- Support the executive leadership team on special projects.
- Interact closely with the leadership team, identifying and addressing any issues that may arise.
- Serve as a subject-matter expert, handling inquiries, developing action plans, and assisting with preparation and dissemination of communications.
- Liaise closely with the Board and staff Board committees.
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
- Ideal candidates will have a minimum of ten [10] years of substantial experience in a senior management role responsible for creating and executing policies and procedures within administration, project management, financial operations and fundraising.
- A desire to help people with disabilities and support the mission and vision of the Guide Dog Foundation and America’s VetDogs.
- Demonstrated experience of at least 8 years in executive-level advising and interdepartmental collaboration.
- Extensive project management experience.
- Strong understanding of financial management and fundraising.
- Experience working with nonprofit Boards.
- Exceptional communication, writing, and interpersonal skills, adaptable to various audiences and experience building executive level relationships.
- Proficient in analytical thinking and problem-solving, adept at handling complex issues and crafting strategic solutions.
- Possesses a strong work ethic, meticulous attention to detail, creativity, flexibility, self-motivation, and resourcefulness.
- Strong project-reporting skills, with focus on interdepartmental communications.
- Ability to work under pressure and prioritize tasks.
- Bachelor’s degree.
Guide Dog Foundation/America’s VetDogs is an equal opportunity employer. It is committed to ensuring equal opportunity to all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, age, gender identity, or expression.
For more information, to refer a candidate, or to apply in confidence, please contact:
David Hinsley Cheng, Managing Partner
Jennifer Thorne, Search Consultant
DHC Search
www.DHCSearch.com
(203) 307-0120
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $150,000.00 - $190,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Health insurance
- Relocation assistance
Schedule:
Ability to Commute:
Work Location: In person
#J-18808-Ljbffr
