Head of Guide Dog Services

Contact at organisation: Neil Munro, Blind Low Vision New Zealand

Phone: 0064 22 694 9620

Email: neil.munro@sheffield.co.nz

Established over 130 years ago, Blind Low Vision NZ (BLVNZ) believes everyone who is blind, deafblind, or has low vision should have the opportunity to be self-reliant and do the things they need and want to in life. As well as supporting individuals, Blind Low Vision NZ seeks to make big-picture change by advocating for inclusive communities and for optimal eye care services for all New Zealanders.

The Head of BLVNZ Guide Dogs sits alongside Client Services Regional Managers reporting to the General Manager of Client Services who reports to the Chief Executive. The Head of BLVNZ Guide Dogs is responsible for overseeing 5 departments each led by a people leader, these are: Client Services (GDS), Health and Breeding, Training Kennels, Puppy Placement and Development, and Guide Dog Training.

This is an exciting time for BLVNZ Guide Dogs as they prepare to open a new facility in their South Auckland location. This state-of-the-art facility will provide the dogs with more open and shared spaces to socialise, a hydrotherapy pool for dogs to exercise and an enrichment play park that will provide the trainers with a controlled environment for training the dogs in.

You will be responsible for ensuring that clients receive an exceptional level of service along with achieving operational delivery objectives. This is a role that will provide you with the opportunity to input to the strategic direction of the service along with being able to shape the delivery of the services to ensure that exceptional outcomes are achieved for the clients.

We look forward to hearing about your experience of working in organisations that have trained dogs. This experience doesn’t have to have been technical or hands on and could come from any dog training organisation. Additionally, we are looking for people that can show that they have the following skills and attributes.

• Excellent people leadership ability with a strong track record of building high performing teams.
• Strong financial literacy and budget management.
• Ability to form positive relationships across organisations with a highly collaborative approach.
• An innovative approach to problem solving that has assisted in meeting the organisations objectives.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills that create positive outcomes for your organisation.

This is a progressive organisation evidenced by the successful introduction of a four-day workweek and you will be joining a highly motivated team that is passionate about the excellent service that they provide their clients.