WADDL Chief Operating Officer

Washington State University • Pullman, WA

21h

About The Position

In this role with the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (WADDL) you will serve as the Chief Operating Officer (COO), acting as a senior administrative leader and reporting directly to the Executive Director. In this role, you will balance day‑to‑day operations while driving the strategic development needed to ensure WADDL’s long‑term success. You will advise the Executive Director and WADDL Leadership Team across key functional areas, including finance, human resources, business policies and compliance, facilities, and operational planning. You will supervise all administrative staff and, in collaboration with WADDL veterinary leadership, provide organization‑wide leadership for all employees to advance WADDL’s mission and overarching goals. You will be responsible for complex planning, analysis, systems and policy development, and oversight of an approximately $9 million annual budget supported by client revenue, federal, tribal, and state contracts and grants, as well as state allocations. Working in close partnership with the Executive Director and leadership team, you will help foster an inclusive, engaged, and high‑performing culture grounded in excellence and client service.

Requirements

• Positions require a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and six (6) years of progressively responsible relevant experience, which has included at least three (3) years of managerial experience. Any combination of relevant education and professional experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year‐for‐year basis. A Master’s degree in a related field may be substituted for up to one (1) year of the required experience. Education and experience can be tailored to fit the specific organizational entity/directorial assignment.
• At least 5 years of management experience in veterinary, medical, diagnostic laboratory or academic administration, operations, or related field.
• Experience in full financial planning and analysis (FP&A) and systematic analysis of business, including principles of cost accounting.
• Demonstrated knowledge in strategic and operational planning, policy development, program and project management, facilities and marketing.
• Demonstrated ability to apply excellent collaborative leadership and management skills in a complex organization.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience with quality assurance programs and accreditation.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s Degree in business administration (MBA), Healthcare Administration (MHA), Medical Management (MMM), American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE), or related field or equivalent training.
• Active and in good standing Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) license.
• Certification in human resource management
• Experience in providing administrative leadership for medical and/or laboratory service.
• Experience conducting financial analysis and budget planning in a complex organizational structure.
• Experience managing personnel in a complex organizational structure.
• Experience managing laboratory or medical facilities and procurement of equipment.
• Experience delivering high quality service and building loyalty among clients
• Experience with utilizing a laboratory information management system (LIMS) or other complex hospital related management system.

Responsibilities

• Balance day‑to‑day operations while driving the strategic development needed to ensure WADDL’s long‑term success.
• Advise the Executive Director and WADDL Leadership Team across key functional areas, including finance, human resources, business policies and compliance, facilities, and operational planning.
• Supervise all administrative staff and, in collaboration with WADDL veterinary leadership, provide organization‑wide leadership for all employees to advance WADDL’s mission and overarching goals.
• Responsible for complex planning, analysis, systems and policy development, and oversight of an approximately $9 million annual budget supported by client revenue, federal, tribal, and state contracts and grants, as well as state allocations.
• Help foster an inclusive, engaged, and high‑performing culture grounded in excellence and client service.

Benefits

• WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts; training and development; and employee tuition waiver.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees