General Manager, Client & Vision Services

Guide Dogs Victoria provides high quality training to maximize the independence of people living with low vision or blindness. Our professional services extend beyond the provision of guide dogs, & include innovative children’s mobility programs, orientation & mobility training for adults & people living with an acquired brain injury (ABI), & social networking programs to support active community participation. Guide Dogs Victoria is one of Australia’s most trusted charities & an employer of choice in the disability sector. Their team enjoy an inclusive & collaborative working environment where talent is recognised & innovation is encouraged.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and an integral member of the Senior Leadership Team, the General Manager – Client & Vision Services will develop and implement strategies to meet Guide Dogs Victoria’s key strategic objectives of being a provider of choice for the delivery of Vision Services. A key focus will be on developing financially sustainable capabilities and resources to meet significant growth in demand for services. This opportunity comes at a crucial and exciting time with the transformational redevelopment of the iconic site in Kew into the world’s first fully accessible sensory campus, including a training centre of excellence, residential accommodation for clients to develop independent living skills, a dog training precinct and a community education hub.

Managing a large team, you will develop and implement the client service strategy and oversee the delivery of high-quality programs (including Children’s Mobility, Adult Mobility, Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), Orthoptist, Occupational Therapy, Assistive Technology, Access Consulting and Support Coordination) that develop independence for the blind and low vision community of Victoria. You will oversee the implementation of client referral strategies and improvement of accessibility of services. You will utilise a human centred and co-design approach to new product and service development and implement growth and income strategies, including National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funded services.

A key focus will be optimising systems to enhance service delivery, increasing productivity and leveraging resources to enable Guide Dogs Victoria to support the forecast growth in client numbers, along with developing strategic service delivery partnerships to enhance Guide Dogs Victoria’s capacity. Strong stakeholder engagement will be required for engaging with our clients and maintaining relationships with Government agencies and peak bodies, and to lead a range of projects within the Guide Dogs Australia network.

An empowering leader is needed to manage complex operations, a large multi-disciplinary team and strategic projects, plus drive a dynamic culture of continuous improvement, innovation, outcomes and excellent service for clients, carers and community. You will have previous senior leadership experience managing complex and multi-faceted service operations and programs (ideally Community Health, Disability, Aged Care, Hospitals) and strong commercial acumen, analytical and problem-solving skills, along with relevant tertiary qualifications. MBA beneficial.

APPLY NOW if you have proven senior leadership experience, energy, passion, commitment and know-how to lead Guide Dogs Victoria’s Client & Vision Services to improve the independence of people with low vision and blindness.

Guide Dogs Victoria welcomes applicants who are blind or who have low vision to apply.

Forward your application to michelle@gembridge.com.au For a confidential discussion, please contact Michelle Varcoe at Gembridge on 03 8375 9661 or 0438 340 270.