Head of Global Animal Welfare Risk Management

Zoetis • Kalamazoo, MI

2d • Onsite

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: training and competency systems, cross-site program harmonization, third—party due diligence, and emerging risk monitoring. This role is the central escalation point for animal welfare risk – defining what risk signals the system must capture and the escalation criteria that govern response. This leader 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 and sustaining the infrastructure and harmonized site-level practices that enable consistent, high-quality animal care globally.

Requirements

• Advanced degree (DVM, Ph.D., M.S., or equivalent) in veterinary medicine, animal science, biology, or a related life science discipline required.
• 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; able 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.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and oversee global AW 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 all global sites to ensure operational consistency.
• Translate organizational AW standards into site-level implementation plans, adapting for local operational context while maintaining global consistency.
• Define and maintain risk thresholds, review cadence, and approval or mitigation requirements governing third-party relationships.
• Develop audit and assessment frameworks to evaluate third-party compliance; drive corrective action plans where deficiencies are identified.
• Maintain and report on the status of third-party risk portfolios and escalation activity to relevant stakeholders.
• Monitor the external environment for emerging AW-related 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.
• Provide development opportunities to the team and ensure growth of talent.

Benefits

• competitive healthcare and retirement savings benefits
• an array of benefits, policies and programs to support employee well-being in every sense, from health and financial wellness to family and lifestyle resources

What This Job Offers

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