Director of Vivarium Operations

Arizona State University • Tempe, AZ

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Vivarium Operations oversees and manages the operational activities of the Department of Animal Care and Technologies (DACT) in service to the users of research and teaching animals at Arizona State University. Oversight includes, but is not limited to, personnel management, budget management, and the development and maintenance of vivarium infrastructure and equipment. Under administrative supervision, the DACT Director of Vivarium Operations plans, organizes, and supervises vivarium operational activities and staff; assists with budget administration, business planning, performance management, and compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and seven (7) years of experience appropriate to the area of assignment/field including two (2) years managerial experience; OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or training from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.
• Knowledge of regulations related to lab animal science.
• Knowledge of contemporary practices in vivarium management and animal care.
• Knowledge of technical and/or scientific principles pertinent to animal research operations.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws, Arizona Board of Regents, and university rules, regulations, policies, and practices related to service center operations.
• Ability to develop a comprehensive university business plan.
• Ability to evaluate, plan, and estimate complex projects in coordination with subordinates.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, methods, and techniques of cost accounting.
• Knowledge of budget management methods and techniques.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and methods of personnel management and supervision.
• Knowledge of university financial, sponsored, human resource, and property control data systems.
• Knowledge of research facility operations and requirements.
• Skill in analyzing issues and developing alternative solutions.
• Skill in assessing and managing laboratory technical operations.
• Ability to work collaboratively across administrative units to develop enterprise solutions.
• Ability to work effectively in an environment subject to potentially conflicting priorities with tight deadlines.
• Ability to communicate effectively in verbal and written forms.
• Ability to effectively apply knowledge of human resource practices for management, supervision, and evaluation of staff.

Nice To Haves

• Graduate degree (Ph.D. or Masters Degree)
• Demonstrated experience managing large groups from diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated experience with budgetary principles and procedures.
• Prior experience working with an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee or managing an academic or industrial research lab.
• Skill in developing and executing strategy in consultation with a governance board and senior leadership.
• Knowledge managing/directing a unit comprised of multiple university service facilities.
• Skill in developing and executing strategies for staff development, succession, and operational continuity.

Responsibilities

• Plans, directs, and reviews the operations of the Department of Animal Care and Technologies (DACT), one of ASU’s Core Research Facilities and Recharge Centers, on behalf of Knowledge Enterprise (KE) to ensure consistency in practices and adherence with all applicable policies, regulations, and standards.
• Works closely with the Attending Veterinarian in creating and updating policies and procedures related to animal husbandry practices and support of animal research labs.
• Supervises activities of subordinates, including managers and team leads.
• Conducts and assists with the development of long- and short-range goals and objectives in consultation with the governance board and KE Core Research Facilities leadership.
• Coordinates with the governance board to assess core user needs and emerging research interests, and to execute strategies to optimize service delivery and develop new capabilities. This includes review and implementations of per diem rates, the strategic use of current vivaria, the development of new vivarium facilities, and renovation/ improvements of existing facilities and equipment.
• Provides reports to supervisor and governance board on fiscal and operational performance relative to established metrics.
• Plans and manages cores operating budgets in consultation with central core administration and recommends staffing and capital equipment investments.
• Develops long-term plans and expenditure priorities pertaining to capital equipment and systems maintenance and/or projected replacement needs.
• Communicates University and department policies to assigned personnel, enforces safety regulations, and adherence to proper codes and standards.
• Resolves problems and issues affecting the core and directs measures to improve effectiveness and efficiency.
• Supervises technical services staff; establishes priorities and objectives; reviews work in process and provides directions as appropriate to ensure achievement of established goals.
• Develops performance metrics and participates in evaluation of services, identifies areas for improvement, and initiates corrective measures as appropriate.
• Responds to internal and external audits of recharge centers.

Benefits

• Flexible work options: Alternative work schedules can include four, 10-hour workdays in a workweek; a nine-day, 80-hour schedule over two workweeks for exempt employees only; and staggered start and stop times.
• Hybrid work is an arrangement where employees spend a minimum of 60% of their regular workweek at their primary ASU work location.
• Remote work is an arrangement where the employee spends less than 60% of their regular workweek at a regularly assigned ASU work location.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager