Global Associate Director, Veterinary Oversight

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine•San Diego, CA

1d•$137,000 - $235,750•Hybrid

About The Position

The Global Associate Director, Veterinary Oversight provides global strategic and operational leadership for veterinary oversight across in vivo research programs and serves as the designated Attending Veterinarian for assigned sites and programs. This role is accountable for the scientific, ethical, and regulatory integrity of veterinary oversight for internal research activities and partners with designated accountable leaders to provide veterinary oversight input for external, contracted non-clinical and GLP safety assessment studies, supporting consistent veterinary standards, animal welfare practices, and regulatory compliance across global internal sites and external partners.

Requirements

A Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine/VMD (DVM/VMD) or equivalent degree from an accredited school of Veterinary Medicine is required.
Licensed (or license-eligible) to practice veterinary medicine in the United States and/or European Union, with ability to meet regional requirements is required.
Minimum of eight (8) years’ experience in laboratory animal medicine within biotech/pharma or CRO environments is required.
Education and experience sufficient to independently fulfill Attending Veterinarian responsibilities is required.
Demonstrated experience in clinical veterinary care, animal welfare, and 3Rs advancement is required.
Proven experience providing veterinary oversight, including for GLP safety assessment studies is required.
Deep understanding of regulatory frameworks (USDA, EU Directive 2010/63, GLPs) and AAALAC standards is required.
Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills with a high level of diplomacy is required.
Strong collaboration and professional relationship management capabilities are required.
Ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive performance of geographically dispersed teams is required.
Comfort engaging with partners at all organizational levels to communicate compliance expectations and address concerns/issues is required.
Active participation in industry organizations and ongoing professional development is required.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills are required.
Excellent judgment and influencing skills across functions and regions is required.
Ability to operate effectively in a matrixed global organization is required.
Commitment to continuous professional development and regulatory awareness is required.
Adept at working under time constraints and leading changing priorities to achieve results effectively is required.
Must complete all annual training requirements.
Must perform all work per appropriate safety standards.
Ability to wear all Personal Protective Equipment required to perform work tasks is required.
Applicable vaccinations may be required for entry and work within specific laboratory and vivarium spaces.

Nice To Haves

ACLAM, ECLAM, or equivalent board certification is strongly preferred.
Hands-on nonclinical toxicology experience, including study design and data interpretation is preferred.
Experience working with large, complex international teams is preferred.
Background in project management and organizational change is preferred.

Responsibilities

Serving as the designated Attending Veterinarian (AV) with authority for the adequacy of veterinary care and animal welfare programs, providing independent veterinary oversight to ensure animal well‑being, appropriate medical care, and application of humane endpoints in accordance with applicable regulations and institutional policies.
Advising institutional Officials, IACUCs/ECs, and senior leadership on matters related to animal care and welfare, and ensure AV responsibilities are appropriately delegated, documented, and maintained across sites and programs.
Providing global leadership and strategic direction for veterinary oversight supporting discovery research and nonclinical development programs, aligning veterinary strategy with business priorities, scientific objectives, and regulatory expectations.
Directly managing, mentoring, and developing clinical veterinarians, ensuring consistent performance, capability development, and succession planning across geographically dispersed teams.
Establishing, harmonizing, and maintaining global veterinary standards, expectations, and best methods across internal sites and external partners.
Ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare and veterinary oversight across internal vivaria, including oversight of preventative medicine, diagnostics, quarantine/acclimation, surgical support, and veterinary care programs.
Supporting IACUC/EC activities, including protocol review, post‑approval monitoring, inspections, audits, and regulatory interactions, to ensure compliance with applicable USDA, EU directives, FDA regulations, GLP requirements, AAALAC standards, and internal policies.
Partnering with study teams, Animal Welfare & Regulatory Compliance, Quality, Legal, and other partners to address veterinary and animal welfare findings, risks, or issues.
Providing veterinary consultation and oversight input for externally conducted GLP safety assessment studies, including review of study designs, animal monitoring plans, humane endpoints, and veterinary care provisions, in collaboration with accountable study and vendor oversight functions.
Collaborating with toxicologists, study directors, QA, and procurement to support CRO veterinary programs, as applicable.
Contributing veterinary input, when applicable, to the qualification, auditing, and ongoing oversight of animal suppliers and contract research organizations.
Partnering with training teams to establish global expectations for veterinary training and competency, and promote consistent application of the 3Rs, refinement strategies, and humane endpoint criteria across internal and external programs.
Leading global quality improvement initiatives related to veterinary oversight and animal welfare, and maintain awareness of emerging regulations, scientific advances, and best methods in laboratory animal medicine and toxicology oversight.

Benefits

medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, business accident insurance, and group legal insurance.
consolidated retirement plan (pension) and savings plan (401(k)).
Vacation –120 hours per calendar year
Sick time - 40 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Washington –56 hours per calendar year
Holiday pay, including Floating Holidays –13 days per calendar year
Work, Personal and Family Time - up to 40 hours per calendar year
Parental Leave – 480 hours within one year of the birth/adoption/foster care of a child
Condolence Leave – 30 days for an immediate family member: 5 days for an extended family member
Caregiver Leave – 10 days
Volunteer Leave – 4 days
Military Spouse Time-Off – 80 hours