Lead our organization to canine excellence.

At Guide Dogs for the Blind, we create exceptional partnerships between people, dogs, and communities. With a network of instructors, puppy raisers, donors, and volunteers, we prepare highly qualified guide dogs to serve and empower individuals who are blind or visually impaired throughout the U.S. and Canada. We are looking for a Director of Canine Research & Development to direct and implement our research and development policies, objectives, and initiatives related to canine success and partnership longevity, as well as research and develop activities that improve the health and overall success of our dogs as guides, K9 Buddies, and breeders.

What you’ll do:

• Provide the R&D vision and leadership for developing and implementing initiatives to support GDB’s strategic framework, with a primary focus on expanding client services without additional breeding
• Lead R&D strategic/operational planning to achieve business goals by fostering innovation, leading the steering committee, prioritizing R&D initiatives, and coordinating the implementation of research projects
• Collaborate with R&D steering committee, workgroups, and other stakeholders to develop outcomes and indicators to be used to monitor goal progress and determine success
• Seek, develop, and maintain collaborative, strategic partnerships around the world that benefit GDB and the guide dog industry
• Identify opportunities for the appropriate and cost-effective investment of financial resources in R&D resources, including staffing, sourcing, and in-house development to achieve business goals
• Write proposals to fund or initiate research evaluation or special projects, and assess project scope to ensure they are on time and within budget
• Stay abreast of latest developments in Canine R&D and human/animal bond, participate in continuing education, and represent GDB to the public

What you’ll love:

• The enthusiasm, dedication, and passion of our employees and volunteers
• The ability to make an impact on our mission in an area that is of vital importance
• An openness to your new ideas and proposals for expanding and innovating within our research and development initiatives
• The camaraderie and support of our incredible GDB team

The qualifications you’ll need:

• Advanced research degree/credentials strongly preferred (e.g., DVM, PhD, MS/MPH, or equivalent)
• 5-10 years professional experience demonstrating leadership competency, organizational agility, and stakeholder management in R&D environment
• Ability to communicate effectively through all levels of the organization, present complex/new ideas with clarity and simplicity, influence decision makers including senior executives, and facilitate groups with diverse perspectives to bring teams to consensus/alignment
• Ability to travel (including international) up to 20% of the time
• Experience with human/animal bond research and understanding of canine learning theory with positive based methods is ideal
• Experience working for a non-profit organization and knowledge of the blindness community is desired

Highlights of your rewards:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave
• On-site wellness programs: cross training, yoga, massage, workout room, ergonomics, injury prevention, and more
• Short-term and long-term disability
• 403(b) retirement savings plan with discretionary employer match
• Life insurance and AD&D (100% employer-paid)
• Flexible Spending Account for medical and dependent care expenses
• Employee Assistance Program
• Pre-tax commuter check program (California campus only)
• Dog-friendly workplace
• Dog and cat food discounts
• Employee Referral Program
• Employee Lunch Program
• Tuition reimbursement

Guide Dogs for the Blind

At Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB), we believe that everyone deserves to move through the world safely and confidently – to live the life they want to live. As the largest guide dog school in North America, we have graduated more than 16,000 guide dog teams from across the U.S. and Canada since our founding in 1942. GDB not only improves mobility for our clients, we further inclusion. Join our team of more than 300 employees and share your passion for our mission.

At Guide Dogs for the Blind, we respect, value, and appreciate all differences. We welcome all qualified candidates irrespective of your race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Individuals with disabilities, especially those who are blind or visually impaired, are encouraged to apply. If you have a disability and need assistance and/or accommodation with applying for a job, please feel free to contact Human Resources.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Work Location: One location