Assistant Director, Facilities & Operations

The University of Virginia's Center for Comparative Medicine is seeking an Assistant Director, Facilities & Operations. This position works closely with the Attending Veterinarian/Executive Director of the Center for Comparative Medicine to provide executive oversight of facilities, husbandry, equipment, transportation, and operational support services across all vivaria on Grounds. The position is responsible for strategic leadership and day-to-day operational oversight of animal care facilities and associated support functions, ensuring that the physical plant, husbandry operations, equipment systems, and logistical services effectively support the University's research mission.

This position is multifaceted and includes operational leadership, facilities oversight, personnel management, regulatory support, and program development. In partnership with the Attending Veterinarian/Executive Director, the Assistant Director develops, implements, and manages programs related to vivarium operations, husbandry, sanitation, equipment maintenance, transportation, environmental monitoring, and facility readiness. The Assistant Director ensures that all operational activities are conducted in accordance with institutional standards and applicable USDA, PHS, and AAALAC requirements. This individual reports directly to the Attending Veterinarian/Executive Director, Center for Comparative Medicine.

The Assistant Director provides direct leadership to the Senior Vivarium Operations Managers and the Equipment/Transportation Manager, and is expected to promote operational excellence, consistency across sites, and a culture of accountability, service, and continuous improvement throughout the program.

The mission of the Center for Comparative Medicine is to support biomedical research and teaching that utilizes laboratory animals. The Center does this in a manner that promotes the policies set by the Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC), whose charge is to oversee compliance by personnel at the University of Virginia with federal regulations and guidelines.

Duties include:

• Providing executive oversight of facilities and operations for all Center for Comparative Medicine vivaria on Grounds.

• Supervising the Senior Vivarium Operations Managers and Equipment/Transportation Manager, while supporting operational leadership, staff development, performance management, and accountability within those teams.

• Overseeing daily husbandry and vivarium support operations to ensure high-quality animal care, operational consistency, and effective service delivery across facilities.

• Directing facility operations related to sanitation, cage wash, equipment flow, traffic patterns, space utilization, environmental conditions, and operational readiness.

• Overseeing equipment management programs, including preventive maintenance, repair coordination, equipment lifecycle planning, inventory management, and replacement strategy for husbandry and vivarium support equipment.

• Overseeing transportation and logistics programs related to animal movement, supply distribution, equipment transport, and other operational support needs.

• Working closely with the Attending Veterinarian/Executive Director to support facility planning, renovations, capital improvements, startup of new research programs, and response to infrastructure or operational issues.

• Coordinating with Facilities Management, Environmental Health and Safety, vendors, contractors, and internal stakeholders to ensure timely maintenance, repair, construction, and operational support of vivarium spaces.

• Assisting in the development and implementation of disaster preparedness, business continuity, and emergency response plans for vivarium operations.

• Supporting biosecurity, access control, quarantine, and operational practices that protect animal health and the integrity of the research environment.

• Assisting with the development, review, revision, and implementation of standard operating procedures, workflows, and training programs related to husbandry, sanitation, equipment, transportation, and facility operations.

• Monitoring operational compliance with USDA regulations, PHS Policy, the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, and AAALAC standards as they relate to facilities, operations, and husbandry.

• Supporting inspections, site visits, post-inspection corrective actions, and other quality assurance or accreditation activities.

• Assisting with operational budget planning, expenditures, equipment procurement, supply management, and resource allocation related to vivarium operations.

• Partnering with veterinary, husbandry, and research teams to identify operational needs and implement practical, compliant, and efficient solutions.

• Participating in leadership meetings, strategic planning, and other institutional initiatives relevant to comparative medicine operations.

• Providing functional leadership for vivarium operations in the absence of the Attending Veterinarian/Executive Director, as delegated.

Minimum Requirements:

For Animal Research Manager 2:

• Education: GED/High School Diploma or higher required.

• Experience: 5+ years of relevant experience working with laboratory animals and 3+ years managing laboratory animal staff.

• Licensure/Certifications: LAT level certification through American Association of Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) or higher.

• Vaccination: This position requires compliance with UVA Health Policy OCH-002.

For Animal Research Manager 3:

• Education: Veterinary degree (DVM/VMD) from an AVMA-accredited school of veterinary medicine or ECFVG (Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates) certification with post-graduate work experience at an ACLAM-recognized laboratory animal medicine training program or equivalent

• Experience: 5+ years of relevant experience working with laboratory animals and 3+ years managing laboratory animal staff (residency years qualify).

• Licensure/Certifications: Licensure to practice veterinary medicine in the United States. Ability to obtain Virginia license within 6-months.

• Board certification through the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM)

• Vaccination: This position requires compliance with UVA Health Policy OCH-002.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Leadership Experience: Demonstrated experience managing multiple operational units, supervisors, or managers in a complex animal research program.

• Licensure/Certifications: Certification such as CMAR, LATG or equivalent is preferred.

• Experience overseeing multi-site vivarium operations in an academic, biomedical research, or pharmaceutical setting.

• Strong knowledge of vivarium facilities management, husbandry operations, cage wash systems, sanitation workflows, environmental monitoring, and equipment programs.

• Knowledge of USDA regulations, PHS Policy, AAALAC standards, and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.

• Experience with capital planning, renovation or construction projects, and vendor or contractor coordination in animal research environments.

• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage competing priorities, and implement process improvements across large or complex programs.

Physical Demands:

Job requires standing for prolonged periods, frequent walking, bending, stooping, reaching, and travel between facilities. Proficient communicative, auditory, and visual skills are required, along with attention to detail and the ability to document clearly. Ability to lift, push, or pull 20-50 lbs. Position may involve exposure to animals, allergens, chemicals, blood/body fluids, and infectious or hazardous materials.

This position is located in Charlottesville, Virginia.This is a full-time benefited position. For more information on the benefits at UVA, visit www.hr.virginia.edu/benefits.

Compensation: The anticipated hiring range is commensurate with education and experience.

The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment. A completed pre-employment health screen is required for this position prior to employment.

Application Process:

Please apply online, and search for R0082421. Internal applicants may search and apply for jobs on the UVA Internal Careers website.Complete an application online with the following documents:

• CV/Resume

• Cover Letter

Upload all materials into the resume submission field, multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission. Applications that do not contain all the required documents will not receive full consideration.This position is open until filled.

References will be completed via UVA's standardized process SkillSurvey. A total of five references will be requested via SkillSurvey during the final phase of the interview process.A minimum of three are required.

For information regarding the position or the application process, please contact Jessica Speth, Academic Recruiter, js9rk@virginia.edu.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA's commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.