Co-Executive Director Laboratory Services Division - Director Animal Health Laboratory

University of Guelph • Guelph, ON

14h • Onsite

About The Position

The University of Guelph is seeking applications for the position of Co-Executive Director, Laboratory Services Division (LSD) and Director, Animal Health Laboratory (AHL) within the Office of Research. As one of Canada’s premier animal disease laboratories, the Co-Director LSD/Director, AHL has the unique opportunity to lead and inspire a high performing team to provide world-class client service in a rapidly evolving scientific environment and provide high-value analytical and diagnostic services to the agriculture, food and veterinary sectors.

The Laboratory Services Division, comprised of the Animal Health Laboratory (AHL) and the Agriculture & Food Laboratory (AFL), is a self-sustaining business. Operating within the University of Guelph, Laboratory Services is supported by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA)-University of Guelph Agreement and by fee-for-laboratory services provided to industry, government, and researchers. Under the leadership of the Associate Vice-President Research, Agri-Food Partnership, the Co-Executive Directors (AHL & AFL) have overall responsibility for ensuring the operational and financial success of the entire division and that the two laboratories remain viable entities within the greater agreement between the University and OMAFA. Both Co-Executive Directors also fulfill the role of Director of their respective laboratories.

As Director, Animal Health Laboratory, the incumbent is responsible for all aspects of the management and operation of AHL, an American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians-accredited, full-service, all-species veterinary laboratory, which, in partnership with the Ontario Veterinary College, functions as the provincial veterinary reference laboratory. The wide spectrum of test results generated by the AHL provides key animal health surveillance data to OMAFA in support of domestic and global viability of Ontario’s livestock industry. The Ontario Animal Health Network (OAHN), which is managed by the Director, AHL under the OMAFA-UofG Agreement, plays a critical role in national animal health surveillance initiatives. The incumbent is responsible for an annual budget of $22 million and 120 employees.

Requirements

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or equivalent.
• Eligible for licensure to practice veterinary medicine in Ontario.
• Doctoral degree in a veterinary laboratory medicine discipline (e.g., PhD, DVSc), preferably with specialty board certification.
• At least nine years of progressive experience leading the operation of, and teams within, a veterinary diagnostic laboratory.
• Experience and knowledge of quality assurance and accreditation processes.
• Strong knowledge of agricultural commodity groups and diseases.
• Knowledge of biosecurity and biosecurity standards.
• Track record of supporting and delivering exemplary client service.
• Track record of supporting and delivering operational excellence.
• Track record of supporting and delivering people leadership.
• Proven relationship building skills.
• Proven collaboration skills.
• Proven communication skills.
• Proven presentation skills.
• Proven financial acumen.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire a high performing team to provide world-class client service in a rapidly evolving scientific environment.
• Provide high-value analytical and diagnostic services to the agriculture, food and veterinary sectors.
• Ensure the operational and financial success of the entire Laboratory Services Division.
• Ensure the Animal Health Laboratory (AHL) and Agriculture & Food Laboratory (AFL) remain viable entities.
• Manage all aspects of the management and operation of AHL, an American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians-accredited, full-service, all-species veterinary laboratory.
• Function as the provincial veterinary reference laboratory in partnership with the Ontario Veterinary College.
• Provide key animal health surveillance data to OMAFA in support of domestic and global viability of Ontario’s livestock industry.
• Manage the Ontario Animal Health Network (OAHN) under the OMAFA-UofG Agreement.
• Oversee an annual budget of $22 million and 120 employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree