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 at the Tulane National Biomedical Research Center. The role ensures operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and effective resource use across programs supporting the Center’s research mission, and oversees approximately 120 full-time employees across animal-care operations. The Director supervises multiple managers, assistant managers, supervisors, and technical teams, and 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 initiatives. The Director mentors managers and supervisors in Animal Care and Veterinary Technician Operations, supporting technical proficiency and effective responses to complex operational challenges. The position requires advanced leadership, cross-unit coordination, strategic planning, and knowledge of federal regulations. It leads programs affecting USDA, AAALAC, and OLAW accreditation. This is an essential-personnel position for continuity of operations during emergencies, including storms and natural disasters; the employee may be required to work during closures and must maintain current contact information and communication with TNBRC. Attendance and compliance with established work schedules are essential, and failure to meet performance or conduct standards may result in disciplinary action. Specific precautions against and/or immunization against potentially hazardous agents are required. The employee must participate in the drug and alcohol program and comply with TNBRC policy. If assigned to ABSL-3 containment areas, additional requirements may include passing a U.S. Department of Justice Security Risk Assessment for access to select biological agents and toxins and being able to perform duties while wearing respiratory protection.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science, Biological Science, Management, Public Health, Business Administration, Industrial Psychology, or a related degree.
At least five years of progressive management and/or operations experience.
Comprehensive leadership and management expertise, including directing large, diverse teams; overseeing managers and supervisors; and developing staff through mentoring, coaching, and performance management.
Advanced knowledge of organizational operations, human resources management, fiscal planning, and strategic procurement, including budgeting, workforce design, and change management in a research or academic environment.
Exceptional communication, collaboration, and conflict-resolution skills, including the ability to influence outcomes, build consensus, and maintain collegial relationships across organizational levels.
Ability to attract, develop, and retain high-performing and diverse talent while fostering inclusion, accountability, and professional growth.
Strategic decision-making and problem-solving ability using data-driven analysis, sound judgment, and institutional priorities.
Strong regulatory, compliance, and procurement acumen, including expert understanding of AAALAC, USDA, OLAW, CDC, and NIH requirements and university purchasing policies.
Ability to interpret, apply, and implement complex regulations and supply-chain controls to support accreditation, cost efficiency, and risk mitigation.
Ability to design, implement, and evaluate operational processes, quality-assurance programs, and continuous-improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, safety, and compliance.
Proficiency with enterprise systems and digital platforms used for financial management, procurement, maintenance tracking, and health-records administration, such as LabKey, Oracle, and CMMS; ability to lead system-implementation and optimization projects.
Specific precautions against and/or immunization against potentially hazardous agents are required.
Must participate in the drug and alcohol program and comply with TNBRC drug and alcohol policy.
If assigned to ABSL-3 containment areas, may be required to pass a U.S. Department of Justice Security Risk Assessment for access to select biological agents and toxins and be able to perform job duties while wearing respiratory protection.
Must maintain attendance in accordance with established work schedules and report to work during closures when requested as essential personnel.

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.
Professional certification through AALAS (ALAT, LAT, LATG, and/or CMAR) and 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 programs.
Experience leading or contributing to strategic planning, policy development, and capital project management related to research operations, animal welfare, and compliance oversight.

Responsibilities

Provide senior leadership and strategic oversight for operational and regulatory activities in the Division of Veterinary Medicine.
Oversee approximately 120 full-time employees and multiple managers, assistant managers, supervisors, and technical teams supporting animal care.
Partner with executive leadership to align operations with institutional goals, NIH grant requirements, and regulatory and accreditation standards.
Mentor managers and supervisors in Animal Care and Veterinary Technician Operations; support employee development, performance evaluation, goal-setting, conflict resolution, and workforce training.
Advise and consult with the TNBRC Chief Veterinary Medical Officer/Chair of the Division of Veterinary Medicine 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 that affect USDA, AAALAC, and OLAW accreditation.
Direct and develop diverse teams through mentoring, coaching, and performance management.
Lead operational and financial decision-making using data-driven analysis, sound judgment, and institutional priorities.
Design, implement, and evaluate operational processes, quality-assurance programs, and continuous-improvement initiatives across facilities and programs.
Lead system implementation and optimization projects for financial management, procurement, maintenance tracking, and health-records administration platforms.
Maintain emergency continuity of operations as essential personnel, including reporting to work when requested during a closure and maintaining communication with TNBRC.
Comply with attendance and established work schedules, TNBRC drug and alcohol policy, and applicable precautions for potentially hazardous agents.
If assigned to ABSL-3 containment areas, meet applicable additional requirements, which may include passing a U.S. Department of Justice Security Risk Assessment and performing duties while wearing respiratory protection.