Chief Executive Officer

Organization Overview: Dogs Inc

Dogs Inc exists to restore freedom, confidence, and human connection through the extraordinary bond between people and dogs. Every day, the organization witnesses moments that are profoundly life-changing: a veteran walking confidently through a crowded airport for the first time in years, a person with vision loss reclaiming independence in their community, or a family finding renewed hope and healing through the companionship of a highly trained service dog. Behind every dog placed is a life transformed.

Originally founded as Southeastern Guide Dogs, the organization has grown into a nationally recognized leader in the breeding, raising, and training of elite guide and service dogs. Today, Dogs Inc serves individuals nationwide - including people with vision loss, veterans with disabilities, and military families - providing not only world-class dogs, but lifelong partnership and support. Every guide and service dog team receives ongoing in-person support, along with free dog food, preventatives, vaccinations, routine veterinary care, and assistance with unexpected medical expenses, ensuring financial barriers never stand in the way of receiving the support they need. The organization combines cutting-edge canine research, advanced veterinary care, and industry-leading training methodologies to ensure both dogs and clients experience the highest level of success and care.

Over the years, Dogs Inc has experienced significant growth in visibility, philanthropic support, infrastructure, and organizational complexity. Guided by a vision to be the world’s premier service dog organization, Dogs Inc continues to invest in world-class talent, relationship-centered philanthropy, storytelling and brand visibility, exceptional client experiences, and state-of-the-art infrastructure to support its future growth and impact.

Headquartered on a nationally recognized 66-acre campus in Palmetto, Florida, Dogs Inc has grown to around 200 employees, more than 1,000 active volunteers nationwide, and over $100 Million in assets. The organization cares for and develops more than 1,000 dogs and puppies annually while continuing to expand its national reach, visibility, and impact.

Dogs Inc is entering an exciting next chapter - one focused on expanding impact while preserving the compassion, excellence, and humanity that have defined the organization for more than four decades. What makes Dogs Inc especially powerful is that the mission extends far beyond the dogs themselves. At its core, the organization is about restoring independence, dignity, mobility, confidence, and possibility.

For more information, please visit https://dogsinc.org/.

Key Responsibilities Include:

Organizational Leadership and Strategy

• Lead the development and execution of Dogs Inc’s long-term strategic vision and organizational priorities
• Partner with the Board and leadership team to shape a clear and ambitious path for future growth, mission impact, and organizational sustainability
• Ensure growth, innovation, and operational priorities remain deeply aligned with mission, culture, and exceptional client outcomes
• Guide the organization through continued growth and evolution while fostering alignment, accountability, and operational excellence across teams

Mission and Culture Leadership

• Serve as a visible, approachable, and authentic presence across the organization, building strong relationships with staff, volunteers, clients, and the broader Dogs Inc community
• Lead with empathy, curiosity, and a genuine desire to understand the experiences of the individuals served, including veterans, military families, people with vision loss, and individuals with disabilities.
• Inspire and unite staff, volunteers, donors, and community stakeholders around a shared sense of mission, purpose, and impact
• Foster a culture grounded in collaboration, respect, accountability, and care for both people and dogs

External Relations and Philanthropy

• Serve as a compelling external ambassador and spokesperson for Dogs Inc nationally
• Evaluate and help shape the organization’s long-term brand positioning, external positioning, and national growth efforts
• Expand philanthropic support, strategic partnerships, and national visibility in ways that strengthen long-term sustainability and mission impact
• Partner with the development team to strengthen fundraising strategy, donor engagement, storytelling, and brand visibility

Financial and Operational Stewardship

• Oversee the financial health, sustainability, and operational stewardship of the organization
• Partner with finance and operations leaders on budgeting, forecasting, investment planning and long-term strategy
• Strategically guide thoughtful organizational investment decisions that strengthen infrastructure, talent, programs, and long-term mission impact
• Ensure strong governance, regulatory compliance, and organizational accountability

Team and Infrastructure Development

• Build, develop, and lead a high-performing executive leadership team
• Establish and evolve the people and HR functions to better support leadership development, workforce planning, employee engagement, and long-term team growth
• Strengthen organizational systems, cross-functional collaboration, accountability, and operational infrastructure to support future scale and complexity

Board Governance and Partnership

• Partner closely with the Board of Directors to support strong governance, strategic alignment, and organizational accountability
• Serve as the primary liaison to the Board, providing clear communication, strategic insight, and thoughtful partnership
• Support Board engagement, development, and future recruitment efforts to strengthen long-term governance capacity
• Prepare for and lead Board and committee meetings that keep the Board informed, engaged, and aligned around the organization’s mission and strategic direction

Leadership & Competency Expectations

While no single candidate will bring every qualification, strong candidates will offer many of the following skills, characteristics, and experiences:

A True Dog Person

Brings a genuine love for dogs and a deep belief in their ability to transform human lives. The CEO who thrives at Dogs Inc will likely end up covered in dog hair, carrying treats in their pockets, and eventually raising a puppy - not because anyone asked them to, but because that’s what happens when you fall in love with the mission, the dogs, and the people behind the work.

A Visionary for Growth

Brings the vision and leadership capacity to shape the next era for national growth. In partnership with the Board, this CEO will develop a bold and actionable 5-year strategy that clarifies priorities, evaluates the organization’s future brand and national positioning, and thoughtfully scales programs and long-term impact. Brings a forward-looking perspective and the ability to help the organization remain relevant and responsive as technologies, medical advancements, and the needs of the communities served continue to evolve.

A Dynamic Fundraiser

Brings a sophisticated approach to philanthropy and external engagement, with the ability to deepen relationships across major donors, foundations, corporate partners, and national philanthropic networks. Understands how to inspire investment around mission and impact while helping evolve a more proactive and strategic approach to fundraising, partnerships, and long-term organizational sustainability.

A Visible External Ambassador

Serves as a highly visible and credible external leader for Dogs Inc, with the presence and relationship-building skills to expand the organization’s national profile and influence. Comfortable representing the organization across conferences, accreditation bodies, community partnerships, philanthropic networks, and peer organizations while helping strengthen strategic relationships and elevate awareness of the organization’s mission and impact.

A People-First Leader

Leads with empathy, authenticity, and a genuine investment in people. Understands how to support and develop a highly tenured, homegrown team while thoughtfully evolving organizational structure, leadership capacity, and talent across the organization. Comfortable making decisions around hiring, succession planning, and team alignment as the organization continues to grow.

Location, Compensation, Benefits

This position is based in Palmetto, Florida (near Tampa) and requires an engaged, visible on-site leadership presence. Regular travel may also be required for donor engagement, partnerships, conferences, and organizational representation. Dogs Inc is open to candidates who are willing to relocate for the opportunity.

The salary range for this position is highly competitive and commensurate with experience. In addition to base salary, the total direct compensation package may include additional incentive-based compensation. Dogs Inc offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, retirement, and paid time off benefits, along with additional offerings that support employee well-being and long-term success.

How to Apply

To express your interest in this opportunity, please submit your resume and cover letter via the Maneva website.

About Maneva Group

Maneva Group is a leading woman and minority owned executive search firm dedicated to connecting exceptional talent with organizations committed to making a meaningful impact. Through a consultative and client-focused approach, Maneva Group partners with mission-driven organizations to build transformative leadership teams.

Our name, Maneva, comes from the combination of two Sanskrit words: “Mānav” meaning mankind & “Sevā” meaning service. We are driven by the ideal of our name - service to humanity.