Director, Animal Resources

The Director of Animal Resources Personnel & Operations provides senior-level leadership, strategic oversight, and fiscal accountability for applicable operational and regulatory activities within the Division of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) at the Tulane National Biomedical Research Center (TNBRC). This position ensures that operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and resource optimization are achieved across multiple programs that support the Center’s research mission. The Director oversees approximately 120 full-time employees across major operational components in the Division supporting animal care. This position partners with executive leadership to ensure alignment with institutional goals, NIH grant requirements, and regulatory and accreditation standards. This position oversees multiple managers, assistant managers, supervisors, and technical teams.

The Director of Animal Resources Personnel & Operations will have demonstrated capacity for leadership, employee development, employee performance evaluation, goal-setting, conflict resolution, and workforce training to ensure that operational effectiveness and regulatory compliance are maintained at the highest standards. The position provides mentorship to managers and supervisors within Animal Care and Veterinary Technician Operations to ensure that teams are technically proficient and empowered to solve complex operational challenges.

As an integral member of the Division’s senior leadership team, the Director advises and consults with the TNBRC Chief Veterinary Medical Officer/ Chair of the Division of Veterinary Medicine on matters related to personnel, operations, infrastructure, fiscal planning, and compliance. The role contributes to strategic planning, growth management, and master planning for the Division, and shares responsibility with the CVMO for financial affairs, construction projects, human resources management, and staff development initiatives.

The position requires advanced leadership capability, cross-unit coordination, strategic planning, superior knowledge of federal regulations, and the ability to lead programs that directly impact USDA, AAALAC, and OLAW accreditation.

This position is designated as essential personnel for continuity of operations during emergencies, including storms/natural disasters. If required to work during a closure, the employee must provide accurate and current contact information and is responsible for maintaining communication with TNBRC. Failure to report to work when requested by supervisor or manager will result in disciplinary action as outlined by the Staff Handbook.

Failure to meet established performance standards in the performance of the job duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description (or as otherwise assigned); and/or failure to interact courteously and tactfully with managers, co-workers, customers and/or vendors such that productivity or departmental morale suffers will result in management’s taking the appropriate disciplinary action as outlined in the Staff Handbook.

Employee attendance must meet established work schedules. Faithfulness in coming to work, being on time, planning absences in advance when possible, and calling in when unavoidably detained from reporting for work is an essential requirement of the job.

• Comprehensive leadership and management expertise, including the ability to direct large, diverse teams; oversee managers and supervisors; and develop staff through mentoring, coaching, and performance management.
• Advanced knowledge of organizational operations, human resources management, fiscal planning, and strategic procurement, including budgeting, workforce design, and change management in a research or academic environment.
• Exceptional communication, collaboration, and conflict-resolution skills, with the ability to influence outcomes, build consensus, and maintain collegial relationships across all organizational levels.
• Demonstrated ability to attract, develop, and retain high-performing and diverse talent, fostering a culture of inclusion, accountability, and professional growth.
• Proven capacity for strategic decision-making and problem-solving, utilizing data-driven analysis, sound judgment, and institutional priorities to guide operational and financial outcomes.
• Specific precautions against and/or be immunized against potentially hazardous agents are required.
• Strong regulatory, compliance, and procurement acumen, including expert understanding of AAALAC, USDA, OLAW, CDC, and NIH requirements and university purchasing policies, with the ability to interpret, apply, and implement complex regulations and supply-chain controls to ensure accreditation, cost efficiency, and risk mitigation.
• Ability to design, implement, and evaluate operational processes, quality-assurance programs, and continuous-improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, safety, and compliance across facilities and programs.
• Proficiency in enterprise systems and digital platforms used for financial management, procurement, maintenance tracking, and health-records administration (e.g., LabKey, Oracle, CMMS), and demonstrated ability to lead system-implementation and optimization projects.
• Must participate in drug and alcohol program and be in compliance with TNBRC drug and alcohol policy.
• The TNBRC maintains biosafety level 3 facilities and performs work on diverse infectious agents, many of which can cause serious disease in humans if standard operating procedures, including use of appropriate personal protective equipment, are not followed. Depending on agent-specific risk assessments, individuals may be offered, or in some cases required, to have vaccinations against the relevant agents. If this position is assigned to work in ABSL3 containment areas, there will be additional minimum requirements including some or all of the following:
a. Must pass a US Department of Justice Security Risk Assessment for access to select biological agents and toxins.
b. Ability to perform job duties while wearing respiratory protection.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science, Biological Science, Management, Public Health, Business Administration, Industrial Psychology, or a related degree.
• A minimum of five years of progressive management and/or operations experience is required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in Biological Sciences, Veterinary or Animal Sciences, Management, Public Health, Public Administration, or a related discipline.
• Ten years of progressive management and/or operations experience.
• Professional certification through AALAS (ALAT, LAT, LATG, and/or CMAR), and completion of ILAM or equivalent advanced leadership programs are highly desirable.
• Extensive knowledge of nonhuman primate colony management and breeding programs within ABSL-2 and ABSL-3 containment environments, including operational oversight of large, complex populations.
• Demonstrated experience in a research or academic institution utilizing animals in research, with responsibility for compliance oversight, operational management, and collaboration among veterinary, research, and administrative units.
• Comprehensive understanding of animal welfare regulations, policies, and accreditation standards, including USDA, OLAW, PHS Policy, and AAALAC International requirements.
• Knowledge of Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) functions, policies, and reporting requirements, with the ability to integrate regulatory expectations into operational systems and staff training programs.
• Experience leading or contributing to strategic planning, policy development, and capital project management related to research operations, animal welfare, and compliance oversight is strongly preferred.