Manager of Community Education and Advocacy

Description

Be an effective advocate for our mission.

At Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB), we train dogs and create partnerships for the blind and visually impaired. We are seeking a Manager of Community Education and Advocacy to lead, develop, and implement strategic community education programs and outreach efforts within the blind and visually impaired community. We'll rely on you to bring intentionality to community education for potential clients and those serving the blind and low vision community, and provide mission-related advocacy support to clients, especially around access challenges. You will also oversee Outreach and Youth Specialists.

This is a CA campus-based role and the ideal candidate will be based on our San Rafael, CA campus. We are also open to a hybrid-based candidate located in the Pacific Time zone who is willing to work onsite once a quarter, and as needed. You must also be able to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends, and travel up to 30% of the time throughout the U.S. and Canada.

What you'll do:

• Develop and implement effective and strategic community education and outreach programs to recruit potential guide dog users and foster relationships with organizations serving the blind and visually impaired community
• Establish clear metrics for tracking and reporting, ensuring outreach initiatives meet goals and demonstrate measurable impact, and adjust strategies based on data and outcomes
• Track mission-related advocacy trends and policies, especially related to access rights and accessibility, and provide support in developing strategies and responses
• Build and maintain relationships with strategic partners, consumer groups, and other organizations aligned with GDB's mission
• Supervise, support, and manage the performance of Outreach and Youth Specialists to ensure consistent, high-quality program delivery
• Prepare and deliver presentations and educational materials to promote awareness of the guide dog lifestyle and GDB's programs and services
• Represent GDB at local and national conferences focused on the blindness community
• Manage the outreach budget effectively, ensuring cost efficiency and best return on investment

What you'll love:

• Being a public advocate and spokesperson for a mission that means so much to so many
• Sharing your ideas and shaping your activities, bolstered by the support of our experts and specialists
• Playing a wide-ranging role that taps into many skillsets and offers plenty of variety
• Visiting or working on one of our beautiful campuses, with extras like yoga, circuit training, and an onsite gym
• Our generous benefits package includes medical/dental/vision/life/disability insurance, 403(b), tuition reimbursement, and great wellness perks like yoga, circuit training, and an onsite gym.

The qualifications you'll need:

• Guide dog handler or individual with lived experience in the blindness community strongly preferred
• 3-5 years of experience in outreach, community education, advocacy or program management roles preferred
• Experience or familiarity with adaptive technology, accessibility tools, and services preferred
• Experience leading teams, providing clear direction, feedback, and professional development
• Ability to measure and analyze program outcomes, using metrics to drive decision-making
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and partnerships within the blind and visually impaired community
• Strong public speaking, presentation, and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to balance multiple priorities effectively

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.

Pay range

$75,000 - $108,000/year (depends on experience and location)