Head of Global Animal Welfare Risk Management

Zoetis•Kalamazoo, MI

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Head of Global Animal Welfare Risk Management is accountable for the operational and risk-management pillars of the Animal Welfare function, including training and competency systems, cross-site program harmonization, third-party due diligence, and emerging risk monitoring. The role is the central escalation point for animal welfare risk, defining the risk signals the system must capture and the criteria that govern response. The position partners with research teams, veterinary staff, IACUCs, and senior leadership across the company to ensure risks are systematically identified, assessed, mitigated, and communicated, while building infrastructure and harmonized site-level practices that enable consistent, high-quality animal care globally. The role designs, implements, and oversees global animal welfare training curricula and competency assessment frameworks, and establishes metrics and audit mechanisms to evaluate effectiveness. It leads harmonization of animal welfare practices, SOPs, and internal policies across global sites, translating organizational standards into local implementation plans while maintaining global consistency. The position defines and maintains third-party risk thresholds, review cadence, and approval or mitigation requirements; develops assessment frameworks; drives corrective action plans; and reports on third-party risk portfolios and escalations. It monitors external developments, including regulatory changes, NGO activity, media, and reputational threats, and works with internal experts to provide risk summaries, dashboards, and governance updates to senior leadership. The role also supervises, mentors, and manages the performance and development of the Animal Welfare Risk Management Team.

Requirements

Advanced degree (DVM, Ph.D., M.S., or equivalent) in veterinary medicine, animal science, biology, or a related life science discipline.
10+ years of progressive experience in laboratory animal welfare, research compliance, or a related field within a pharmaceutical, biotech, CRO, or academic research environment.
Proven background in risk management, third-party due diligence, and audit program development in a GxP or research context.
Experience with event tracking systems and data-driven risk reporting.
Prior people management experience with a track record of developing high-performing teams.
Strong risk-assessment and analytical skills, including the ability to integrate risk signals from multiple sources into a clear, prioritized leadership view.
Sound judgment in determining escalation thresholds and communicating risk to senior leadership in a timely and actionable manner.
Collaborative and consultative style, with the ability to influence across a global, matrixed organization without direct authority.
Exceptional organizational skills and comfort managing multiple concurrent workstreams and deadlines.
High integrity and genuine commitment to animal welfare operational excellence.
At least 50% on-site work is required.
All applicants must possess or obtain authorization to work in the US for Zoetis; individuals requiring sponsorship must disclose this fact.

Nice To Haves

Diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (DACLAM).
IACUC certification (CPIA) or equivalent professional credential.

Responsibilities

Design, implement, and oversee global animal welfare training curricula and competency assessment frameworks, ensuring personnel meet institutional and regulatory requirements.
Establish metrics and audit mechanisms to evaluate training effectiveness and drive continuous program improvement.
Lead harmonization of animal welfare practices, SOPs, and internal policies across global sites.
Translate organizational animal welfare standards into site-level implementation plans while adapting to local operational contexts and maintaining global consistency.
Define and maintain risk thresholds, review cadence, and approval or mitigation requirements for third-party relationships.
Develop audit and assessment frameworks to evaluate third-party compliance and drive corrective action plans when deficiencies are identified.
Maintain and report on third-party risk portfolios and escalation activity to relevant stakeholders.
Monitor external developments for emerging animal welfare risks, including regulatory developments, NGO activity, media, and reputational threats.
Partner with internal experts to prepare and present risk summaries, dashboards, and governance updates for senior leadership on a regular cadence.
Provide day-to-day supervision, mentorship, and performance management for the Animal Welfare Risk Management Team.
Foster a collaborative, detail-oriented team culture focused on operational excellence and continuous improvement, and provide development opportunities to team members.