Breeding Foster Program Manager

Breeding Foster Program Manager

At Guiding Eyes for the Blind, we are passionate about connecting exceptional dogs with individuals seeking greater independence. We are dedicated to creating and supporting life-changing partnerships between people and dogs.

At our facilities, we breed, raise, and train exceptional guide dogs and match them with individuals ready to embrace a life of greater freedom, confidence, and possibility. As the Breeding Foster Program Manager, you will play a part in making that happen. Join us and help transform lives.

Our incredible dogs make our mission possible and inspire everything we do. We put our clients first, striving to exceed expectations by providing exceptional dogs trained to meet their unique needs and empower them to live the lives they choose.

The Breeding Foster Program Manager plays a vital role in supporting the dogs, volunteers, and partnerships that make Guiding Eyes' breeding program possible. By overseeing the breeding dog foster program, this role helps ensure breeding dogs receive exceptional care, support, and placement throughout their breeding careers while fostering positive experiences for the volunteers who welcome them into their homes.

As the primary connection between Guiding Eyes and breeding dog foster families, you will build strong relationships, provide guidance and support, and help create successful outcomes for both dogs and caregivers. Through collaboration with Veterinary Services, Canine Development, Breeding Operations, and Volunteer Engagement, you will contribute to the health, well-being, and long-term success of Guiding Eyes' breeding program.

This role blends program leadership, volunteer engagement, and animal welfare oversight. You will play a key part in cultivating a strong and supportive foster network, ensuring volunteers feel informed, valued, and connected to our mission while helping maintain the high standards of care that support our breeding dogs.

Through strong relationships, operational excellence, and a commitment to animal welfare, this role contributes directly to the success of Guiding Eyes' breeding program and helps create the next generation of guide dogs that transform lives.

At Guiding Eyes, you'll work alongside passionate professionals who share a commitment to our dogs, our volunteers, and the individuals whose lives are changed through guide dog partnerships. Together, we help build the foundation for future guide dogs and the life-changing impact they create.

If you're passionate about animal welfare, volunteer engagement, and building meaningful relationships, we'd love to hear from you.

The Role

• Manage the placement, oversight, and ongoing support of brood and stud dogs residing in volunteer foster homes.
• Monitor brood and stud dogs throughout their breeding careers to ensure optimal health, welfare, temperament, and reproductive success.
• Coordinate dog transitions, evaluations, temporary care arrangements, veterinary appointments, and retirement placements.
• Evaluate prospective foster volunteers and make placement recommendations based on program needs, dog characteristics, volunteer capabilities, and household considerations.
• Coordinate introductions, meet-and-greets, placement transitions, and acclimation plans to support successful placements and positive foster experiences.
• Monitor placement success and provide ongoing guidance, coaching, and support to foster families throughout a dog's breeding career.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records related to dog health, breeding status, performance, and foster placements.
• Partner with Veterinary Services and Breeding Operations to ensure the timely completion of health screenings, examinations, reproductive evaluations, and related care.
• Identify, assess, and address behavioral, medical, welfare, or placement concerns affecting dogs in the breeding program.
• Support breeding program objectives through the effective management of breeding dog resources, foster placements, and volunteer partnerships.
• Contribute to breeding program planning and decision-making to support long-term program success and sustainability.

Volunteer Recruitment, Training, and Support

• Recruit prospective breeding dog foster families through referrals, community outreach, organizational events, open houses, and other recruitment activities.
• Review applications, conduct interviews, and complete screening activities to assess volunteer suitability and program readiness.
• Facilitate onboarding and orientation programs that prepare foster families for successful participation.
• Coordinate and deliver training on canine handling, care, grooming, health monitoring, reproductive protocols, and program standards.
• Ensure foster households are prepared to support the successful placement and care of breeding dogs.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for foster families, providing guidance, coaching, and support.
• Assess and match foster homes based on program needs, volunteer capabilities, household dynamics, and dog requirements.
• Develop strategies to recruit, engage, retain, and recognize foster volunteers.
• Build and maintain strong volunteer relationships that promote engagement, satisfaction, and retention.
• Address volunteer concerns and resolve issues in a timely, professional, and mission-focused manner.
• Recognize and celebrate volunteer contributions in alignment with Guiding Eyes' mission and values.
• Foster a positive volunteer experience that supports long-term engagement and commitment.

Program Operations and Administration

• Maintain accurate and timely records in Salesforce and other organizational systems.
• Utilize Salesforce and reporting tools to track volunteer engagement, foster placements, dog status, training completion, and program outcomes.
• Monitor program capacity, volunteer resources, placement needs, and program data to support decision-making, continuous improvement, and breeding program objectives.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, procedures, and animal welfare standards.
• Identify and recommend process improvements that enhance operational effectiveness and the volunteer experience.
• Support special events, educational programs, volunteer recognition efforts, and breeding program initiatives.
• Assist with budget planning and resource management, as assigned.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Veterinary Services, Breeding Operations, Puppy Raising, Canine Development, Volunteer Engagement, and other stakeholders to advance breeding program goals and organizational priorities.
• Facilitate the exchange of critical information regarding dog health, behavior, breeding outcomes, placements, and program needs to support informed decision-making and program success.
• Contribute expertise and recommendations to cross-functional planning, problem-solving, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Collaborate with internal partners to support breeding clinics, evaluations, educational programs, special events, and other breeding program initiatives.
• Build strong cross-functional partnerships that drive operational effectiveness and positive outcomes for dogs, volunteers, and the organization.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on breeding dog foster operations and volunteer engagement.

Additional Responsibilities

• Perform other duties as assigned in support of departmental and organizational mission.

Qualifications You Will Need

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of three years of experience in animal welfare, canine programs, breeding programs, volunteer management, customer service, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of canine behavior, health, handling, and welfare principles.
• Experience working with volunteers, community-based programs, or customer-facing populations.
• Valid driver's license.

Leadership & Program Management

• Strong organizational, project management, and prioritization skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability in response to changing program needs and priorities.
• Experience coordinating programs, facilitating trainings, and driving successful outcomes.
• Ability to assess volunteer readiness, match dogs and foster families effectively, and support successful placement outcomes.
• Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion when handling sensitive situations.
• Ability to foster volunteer engagement, accountability, and positive program outcomes through relationship management and influence.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Communication & Collaboration

• Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to build trust, foster collaboration, and develop effective partnerships across teams and volunteer groups.
• Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to recruit, educate, coach, and support volunteers and foster families while communicating expectations in a clear, practical, and approachable manner.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Veterinary Services, Breeding Operations, Canine Development, Volunteer Engagement, and other stakeholders to support breeding program success.
• Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with volunteers, foster families, colleagues, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to work