[blindlaw] Position Announcement: President Position Open at GDB

Wed Nov 27 17:28:00 UTC 2013

Greetings:

Do find the position announcement contained below. I do hope qualified individuals with disabilities, more particularly guide dog handlers, will apply. The next President ought be an actual guide dog handler. Thanks.

Sincerely,
Gary C. Norman

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POSITION AND CANDIDATE SPECIFICATION

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GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND, INC. PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Prepared by:          Kristine M. Johnson Sally M. Sterling Deborah J. Please

Assignment:          51803-001

Date:                     November 2013
Confidential:  This document and the information contained within is confidential and is provided to the named recipient. This information has been prepared in good faith by Spencer Stuart but may require future verification or correction. Distribution or reproduction of this document and/or its contents is strictly prohibited.

POSITION SPECIFICATION

Client Company Who we are:

Since 1942, Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) has empowered lives through exceptional partnerships between people, dogs and communities.  GDB is the largest guide dog school in the country and is dedicated to providing high quality student training services and extensive follow-up support for graduates.  Our programs are made possible through the teamwork of staff, volunteers and generous donors.  Services are provided to students from the United States and Canada at no cost to them.

We operate two training facilities (one is headquartered in San Rafael, California-20 miles north of San Francisco, another in Boring, Oregon-25 miles east of Portland), and have more than 1,400 puppy raising families throughout the Western states.  More than 12,500 teams have graduated since our founding, and there are approximately 2,100 active guide dog teams currently in the field.

Whom we serve:

Any person who is blind or visually impaired desiring enhanced mobility and independence can benefit from the skills a guide dog provides.  The person must be legally blind, able to travel independently and suited to work with a dog.  Typically, 6 - 8 students take part in each of our 2-week training classes.  Ninety-seven percent of graduates surveyed in 2013 reported they were satisfied with our overall program and 96 percent would recommend our program to others.

How we are funded:

We are a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization supported entirely by private donations.  We receive no government funding.  Donors contribute through general contributions, bequests, grants, memorial and honor donations, charitable remainder trusts and other planned giving options.

Our Dogs:

Guide Dogs for the Blind breeds Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and Lab/Golden crosses from our own purebred stock, specially selected for excellent temperament, intelligence and health.  Advances in research and technology help make it possible for us to continue to improve the quality and health of our dogs and ensure their success as guides.

Our Community:

Guide Dogs for the Blind has one of the nation's largest volunteer networks with thousands of volunteers assisting in the success of our mission.  The human/animal bond creates a ripple that adds meaning and enrichment to each of our lives and strengthens our communities.

Mission:

Guide Dogs for the Blind empowers lives through exceptional partnerships between people, dogs, and communities.

Vision:

Guide Dogs for the Blind envisions a world with greater inclusion, opportunity and independence by optimizing the unique capabilities of dogs and people.

Guiding Principles:

Guide Dogs for the Blind is one organization, with one set of values, operating in multiple locations. We are aligned around a common vision and mission, and hold ourselves and each other responsible for operating by the following guiding principles:

1.    The needs of our clients drive everything we do, and we strive to exceed our client's expectations in all our programs and services.

2.    We treat everyone-clients, staff, volunteers, donors and other community members-with the same dignity, respect and understanding that we ourselves would expect.

3.    We value the well-being of our dogs by always providing them with exceptional care.

4.    We ensure that quality is an expected outcome in everything we do.

5.    We strive for and foster creativity, innovation, and improvement within ourselves and others.

6.    We communicate openly, fairly, honestly, effectively and in timely manner.

7.    We hold ourselves accountable-as individuals and as an organization-for doing what we set out to do.

8.    We are committed to being responsible stewards of our resources.

Position Summary

Reporting to and partnering with the Board of Directors, the CEO leads Guide Dogs for  the Blind and is responsible for ensuring that the organization empowers lives through the creation of exceptional partnerships between people, dogs, and communities.  In order to accomplish this, the CEO leverages an operating budget of $30 million with a $1.5 million capital budget and an endowment of approximately $300 million.

Key Relationships

Reports to:                       Board of Directors

Other key relationships:    GDB Alumni

                                      A large, highly committed and experienced volunteer base

Community partners Donors

Other organizations committed to the visually impaired

Major Responsibilities

The CEO leads, develops and oversees the implementation of the strategic plan for the organization and manages and supports the operations and programs of Guide Dogs for the Blind in line with its mission and financial resources committed to breed, raise, train and partner guide dogs of the highest quality.  Key responsibilities include:

*      Demonstrating passion, knowledge, and committed support for Guide Dogs for the Blind's mission, vision, and guiding principles.

*      Leading a unified team of more than 300 staff between two campuses (California, Oregon) and a highly committed core of several hundred volunteers

*      Providing ongoing communication with the Board, staff, alumni and volunteers of Guide Dogs for the Blind.

*      Working closely with Board and staff to create and execute the strategic direction.

*      Representing and advocating for GDB to other organizations (domestic and international), volunteers, donors, the community, and the public.

*      Evaluating and overseeing the development of systems that support the mission and ensure its continued trajectory of excellence.

*      Stewarding and continuing to advance GDB's historic reputation as the standard bearer for quality and excellence within its sector by pushing the bar on innovation.

*      Leading, developing, and motivating a passionately committed staff.

*      Stewarding the financial resources of the organization in partnership with the staff and the Board and continuing to build the endowment.

CANDIDATE SPECIFICATION:  KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

Ideal Experience

*      Significant leadership experience in a similarly sized non-profit organization.

Alternatively, heavy involvement with non-profits as a board member and/or volunteer with prior CEO or COO experience.

*      Demonstrated record of building and maintaining a close working relationship with a Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, and other external constituencies.

*      Demonstrable record of providing innovative leadership to an organization with an existing strong programmatic platform.

*      Experience developing successful partnerships and collaboration with other mission- related, advocacy organizations and/or industry oversight groups.

*      A record of commitment to continuous improvement and providing the highest quality of client service and product development.

*      Resource development and fundraising experience.

*      Stewardship of a significant P&L.

*      Minimum BA or BS degree.

*      High level of sensitivity to the history, culture, and needs of the organizations for which they have worked in the past.

Critical Competencies for Success

Transition Management: Guide Dogs for the Blind is an organization with a strong, highly functional operating platform that has thrived through a succession of leadership transitions in the last several years.  Against this backdrop, the incoming CEO will demonstrate the leadership and emotional intelligence required to execute a smooth transition that will inspire and maintain the confidence of clients, employees, investors, and a highly committed and engaged volunteer force.  In partnership with the Board and with the staff, the CEO will set a transparent and thoughtful agenda that is informed by the collective wisdom of the organization, as well as his or her own relevant experience.  He or she will demonstrate a high level of sensitivity toward and appreciation for the existing culture and a genuine desire to absorb the mission of the organization, in order to guide its forward momentum.

Organizational Leadership: In an organization that thrives and relies on the expertise of its committed staff, volunteers, and Board of Directors, the next CEO will demonstrate capability as an excellent listener and compelling communicator who understands how to support, manage and leverage a volunteer-driven organization that is passionately committed to its mission of improving the lives of the visually impaired.  He or she will take the long-term view in building a cooperative culture marked by trust and transparency across its two campuses; guide the strategic direction; drive innovation, and; support day

to day operations and development of Guide Dogs for the Blind's human and physical resources in order to expand the organization's impact and reach.

Communication and Advocacy: As the face of Guide Dogs for the Blind, the CEO will demonstrate a genuine passion for its mission, vision, and guiding principles and be a committed advocate internally and externally, defining its role in the larger world as a place known to make important contributions to the sector.  He or she will represent GDB in developing successful partnerships and/or collaborating with other relevant organizations and industry oversight groups.  Additionally, a key priority for the next CEO will be to ensure that there is strong communication between GDB and all of its key partners and beneficiaries.  The CEO will also ensure that the information flow between the Board and the senior management team is seamless, transparent, and conducive to the sharing of organizational information and goals that will advance GDB's mission.

Passion and Authenticity:  In an institution that plays a leading role in providing life- changing support for the visually impaired, the CEO will demonstrate an unwavering commitment to ensuring the vibrancy of Guide Dogs for the Blind's future by:

*      Demonstrating personal commitment to and respect for the communities Guide Dog for the Blind serves;

*      Exemplifying the values of compassion, intellectual honesty, inclusion, and outreach;

*      Modeling and driving excellence in the service of GDB's mission; and

*      Inspiring internal and external stakeholders to collectively participate in and contribute to GDB's growth and success with a spirit of ambition and entrepreneurialism.

Other Personal Characteristics

*      Passion for creating and improving the quality of life for individuals who are visually impaired

*      Understanding of, passion for, and commitment to the human/animal bond

*      Excellent listener, communicator with, and bridge builder between people at every level

*      Dexterity at balancing the views and voices of multiple constituencies with respect and authenticity

*      Nonnegotiable commitment to integrity, transparency and honesty

*      Self-confident, compassionate and inspirational visionary

*      A high level of intellectual curiosity, and a desire to explore new ideas and approaches to problem solving

*      Sense of humor

*      Strong love for and affinity to dogs

*      Experience with volunteer Boards, and an understanding of the respective roles of the Board, the President, and the staff

To apply or make a nomination, please send an email with supporting material to GDBCEO at spencerstuart.com.  <mailto:GDBCEO at spencerstuart.com> Guide Dogs for the Blind is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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