Director, Animal Resources

Tulane University•Covington, LA

About The Position

The Director of Animal Resources Personnel & Operations provides senior-level leadership, strategic oversight, and fiscal accountability for operational and regulatory activities within the Division of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) at the Tulane National Biomedical Research Center (TNBRC). The role ensures operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and effective resource use across programs supporting the Center’s research mission. It oversees approximately 120 full-time employees across animal-care operations, including multiple managers, assistant managers, supervisors, and technical teams. The Director partners with executive leadership to align operations with institutional goals, NIH grant requirements, and regulatory and accreditation standards. As a member of the Division’s senior leadership team, the Director advises and consults with the TNBRC Chief Veterinary Medical Officer/Chair of the Division of Veterinary Medicine on personnel, operations, infrastructure, fiscal planning, and compliance. The position contributes to strategic planning, growth management, and master planning, and shares responsibility with the CVMO for financial affairs, construction projects, human resources management, and staff development. The role requires advanced leadership, cross-unit coordination, strategic planning, and superior knowledge of federal regulations. The Director leads programs that directly affect USDA, AAALAC, and OLAW accreditation, and mentors managers and supervisors in Animal Care and Veterinary Technician Operations to maintain technical proficiency and help teams address complex operational challenges. This position is designated as essential personnel during emergencies, including storms and natural disasters. If required to work during a closure, the employee must provide current contact information and maintain communication with TNBRC. Failure to report when requested may result in disciplinary action. Employees are expected to meet established attendance and performance standards and interact courteously and tactfully with managers, coworkers, customers, and vendors. The position requires precautions against and/or immunization for potentially hazardous agents. TNBRC operates biosafety level 3 facilities and works with infectious agents that can cause serious human disease if procedures, including appropriate personal protective equipment use, are not followed. Depending on agent-specific risk assessments, vaccinations may be offered or required. If assigned to ABSL3 containment areas, the employee may need to pass a U.S. Department of Justice Security Risk Assessment for access to select biological agents and toxins and be able to perform duties while wearing respiratory protection. Participation in the drug and alcohol program and compliance with TNBRC policy are required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science, Biological Science, Management, Public Health, Business Administration, Industrial Psychology, or a related field.
At least five years of progressive management and/or operations experience.
Comprehensive leadership and management expertise, including directing large, diverse teams and overseeing managers and supervisors.
Advanced knowledge of organizational operations, human resources management, fiscal planning, and strategic procurement in a research or academic environment.
Exceptional communication, collaboration, and conflict-resolution skills.
Demonstrated ability to attract, develop, and retain high-performing and diverse talent.
Strategic decision-making and problem-solving skills, including data-driven analysis and sound judgment.
Strong regulatory, compliance, and procurement knowledge, including AAALAC, USDA, OLAW, CDC, NIH requirements, and university purchasing policies.
Ability to design, implement, and evaluate operational processes, quality-assurance programs, and continuous-improvement initiatives.
Proficiency with enterprise systems and digital platforms for financial management, procurement, maintenance tracking, and health-records administration; examples include LabKey, Oracle, and CMMS.
Ability to lead system implementation and optimization projects.
Precautions against and/or immunization for potentially hazardous agents are required.
Must participate in the drug and alcohol program and comply with TNBRC drug and alcohol policy.
If assigned to ABSL3 containment areas, must pass a U.S. Department of Justice Security Risk Assessment for access to select biological agents and toxins, as applicable to the assignment.
If assigned to ABSL3 containment areas, must be able to perform job duties while wearing respiratory protection.
Must provide current contact information and maintain communication with TNBRC if required to work during a closure.
Must meet established attendance and performance standards.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Biological Sciences, Veterinary or Animal Sciences, Management, Public Health, Public Administration, or a related discipline.
Ten years of progressive management and/or operations experience.
AALAS professional certification (ALAT, LAT, LATG, and/or CMAR).
Completion of ILAM or equivalent advanced leadership programs.
Extensive knowledge of nonhuman primate colony management and breeding programs in ABSL-2 and ABSL-3 containment environments, including oversight of large, complex populations.
Experience in a research or academic institution using animals in research, with responsibility for compliance oversight, operational management, and collaboration among veterinary, research, and administrative units.
Comprehensive understanding of animal welfare regulations, policies, and accreditation standards, including USDA, OLAW, PHS Policy, and AAALAC International requirements.
Knowledge of IACUC functions, policies, and reporting requirements, and ability to integrate regulatory expectations into operational systems and staff training.
Experience leading or contributing to strategic planning, policy development, and capital project management related to research operations, animal welfare, and compliance oversight.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership and management for large, diverse animal-care teams, including oversight of managers and supervisors.
Develop staff through mentoring, coaching, training, and performance management.
Oversee operational activities, human resources management, fiscal planning, strategic procurement, budgeting, workforce design, and change management.
Partner with executive leadership to align operations with institutional goals, NIH grant requirements, and regulatory and accreditation standards.
Advise and consult with the TNBRC Chief Veterinary Medical Officer/Chair on personnel, operations, infrastructure, fiscal planning, and compliance.
Contribute to strategic planning, growth management, and master planning for the Division.
Share responsibility with the CVMO for financial affairs, construction projects, human resources management, and staff development initiatives.
Lead programs affecting USDA, AAALAC, and OLAW accreditation and maintain regulatory compliance.
Attract, develop, and retain high-performing and diverse talent while fostering inclusion, accountability, and professional growth.
Use data-driven analysis and sound judgment to guide operational and financial decisions.
Interpret, apply, and implement regulatory requirements and supply-chain controls to support accreditation, cost efficiency, and risk mitigation.
Design, implement, and evaluate operational processes, quality-assurance programs, and continuous-improvement initiatives.
Lead implementation and optimization projects for enterprise systems and digital platforms used in financial management, procurement, maintenance tracking, and health-records administration.
Maintain required communication and report to work when requested during emergency closures.
Participate in the drug and alcohol program and comply with TNBRC drug and alcohol policy.
Meet established attendance and performance standards and interact courteously and tactfully with managers, coworkers, customers, and vendors.