Manager, Animal Care Operations

University of Ottawa; Canada; On-site; CAD 108,000 - 134,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Ottawa is seeking an experienced operations leader to manage its animal facility network, ensuring regulatory compliance, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement across multiple sites. Reporting to the Senior Director, you will oversee planning, staffing, and capital projects while upholding high standards of animal welfare and research support.

The role requires extensive experience in animal care operations, HR management, and collaboration with researchers, veterinary

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of veterinary technical and surgical nursing practices in regulated animal research.
• Experience applying HR policies, staff supervision, performance management and workforce planning.
• Ability to influence, build consensus, and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and evaluation of operational plans for assigned facilities to ensure compliance with legislation and standards.
• Balance regulatory compliance with operational efficiency and resource constraints.
• Advise on planning, redesign, and development of animal facilities, including capital projects and infrastructure upgrades.
• Forecast staffing needs, space utilization, and equipment capacity for ongoing research support.
• Develop and enforce SOPs for animal care facilities, including safety and risk mitigation.

Skills

Veterinary facility operations

Regulatory compliance

HR management

Staff supervision

Budget and financial oversight

Capital project input

Bilingual English/French

Education

CVMA-recognized Veterinary Technology diploma

Bachelor of Science in a relevant discipline

Tools

Enterprise software applications

Job description

Follow us on LinkedIn Posting Reason: New Position Job Type: Employee Anticipated Duration in Months (for contracts and temporary assignments): N/A Job Family: Laboratory Support # of Open Positions: 1 Faculty/Service - Department: Animal Care and Veterinary Services Campus: Smyth, Alta Vista, General Hospital, CHEO Campuses Union Affiliation: N/A Date Posted (YYYY/MM/DD): 2026/10/26 Applications must be received BEFORE (YYYY/MM/DD): 2026/11/23 Hours per week: 35 Salary Grade: Non-Union Grade NM1 Salary Range: $107,503.00 - $134,379.00

Position Purpose

The University of Ottawa animal facility network comprises five sites representing over 100,000 square feet of vivarium, procedural, and surgical space. Reporting to the Senior Director, Animal Care and Veterinary Services, the incumbent is accountable for the operational leadership and management of the University’s animal facilities. The position exercises significant managerial judgment and independent decision-making in the areas of facility operations, space planning, human resources, financial oversight, and equipment lifecycle management. The incumbent ensures compliance with complex regulatory, accreditation, and institutional requirements. They have a direct impact on animal welfare outcomes, researcher productivity, institutional risk mitigation, and the University’s ability to maintain regulatory certification and research continuity.

Responsibilities

• With the Senior Director or designate, leads the development, implementation, and evaluation of operational plans for assigned facilities, ensuring that infrastructure, systems, and operations comply with all applicable federal and provincial legislation, regulatory standards, institutional policies, and granting agency requirements.
• Exercises judgment in balancing regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and resource constraints.
• Provides expert operational input into the planning, redesign, and development of new and existing University of Ottawa animal facilities, including participation in capital projects, equipment selection, and infrastructure upgrades, with accountability for operational feasibility, regulatory compliance, and long-term sustainability.
• Ensures ongoing and future support for University of Ottawa research programs by independently assessing and forecasting staffing requirements, space utilization, equipment capacity, and emerging technologies, and by recommending operational adjustments to address evolving scientific and institutional needs.
• Analyzes and interprets global trends, best practices, and evolving standards in animal care, housing, enrichment, health monitoring and technical procedures.
• Advices and supports the Senior Director or designate in the strategic adoption and implementation of these practices to ensure the highest standards of animal health, welfare, and regulatory compliance.
• Develops, implements, and oversees operational policies, procedures, and standards governing daily facility operations.
• Exercises authority in establishing procedures, monitoring compliance, identifying operational risks and process gaps, and implementing corrective actions that directly affect service delivery, animal welfare, and research support.
• Conducts systematic reviews of animal care practices, operational processes, and service models, evaluates performance and outcomes, and formulates evidence-based recommendations to drive continuous improvement, risk reduction, and operational effectiveness.
• Assists in the development, implementation, and maintenance of integrated management systems to ensure compliance with federal, provincial, and municipal requirements related to environmental protection, occupational health and safety, and containment-level risk assessment.
• Develops and approves standard operating procedures, ensures staff training and competency, and contributes to institutional risk management and audit readiness.
• Oversees and manages Associates-Supervisors of the assigned facilities to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of the daily operational services. This includes direct supervision, monitoring performance against agreed targets and expectations, providing guidance and coaching and addressing performance issues.
• Responsible for HR management of employees of sector/sites in consultation with Program Manager and Human Resources Business Partner, including performance management, staffing structure, disciplinary measures, and long-term workforce planning.
• Recruit, onboard, and supervise direct reports, ensuring they have the necessary training and resources to perform effectively.
• Develop and manage team workflows, set clear goals, communicate expectations, and track performance.
• Proactively address and resolve conflicts, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment while recognizing achievements.
• Support staff development and career growth through mentorship and professional development opportunities.
• Cultivate a culture of continuous improvement, anticipating the needs of internal stakeholders and prioritizing service excellence.

What you will bring

Advanced theoretical and applied knowledge of veterinary technical and surgical nursing practices within a regulated animal research environment, normally obtained through a diploma from a CVMA-recognized Veterinary Technology program or a Bachelor of Science degree in a relevant discipline. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. 7 years of experience in an animal care operation 5 years of progressive experience supervising operations in an animal research facility. Registration as a Registered Member of Laboratory Animal Technologists (RMLAT) with the Canadian Association for Laboratory Animal Science (CALAS) is an asset. Demonstrated experience in the application and interpretation of human resources policies and collective agreements, including staff supervision, performance management, workforce planning, and the effective resolution of team and conflict-related issues. Proven ability to influence, build consensus, and foster effective collaboration across multidisciplinary teams, including researchers, veterinary professionals, institutional stakeholders, and external regulatory bodies. Demonstrated expertise in the development, implementation, and ongoing management of complex staffing and operational schedules in a 24/7 or multi-site research environment. Comprehensive knowledge and practical experience in the development, implementation, and oversight of standard operating procedures for animal research facilities, including bio-exclusion, bio-containment, occupational health and safety, and risk mitigation practices. Strong commitment to client service excellence, demonstrated through effective interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, and the ability to deliver responsive, solution-focused operational support to the research community. Demonstrated commitment to maintaining a safe and compliant work environment through leadership in safety inspections, staff training continuous review of safety standards, and implementation of corrective and preventive measures. Proficiency in the use of personal computers and enterprise software applications to support operational planning, data management, reporting, and communication. Bilingualism in French and English (spoken and written).

Key Competencies at uOttawa

• Planning: Organize in time a series of actions or events in order to realize an objective or a project. Plan and organize own work and priorities in regular daily activities.
• Initiative: Demonstrate creativity and initiative to suggest improvements and encourage positive results. Is proactive and self-starting. Show availability and willingness to go above and beyond whenever it is possible.
• Client Service Orientation: Help or serve others to meet their needs. This implies anticipating and identifying the needs of internal and external clients and finding solutions on how to meet them.
• Teamwork and Cooperation: Cooperate and work well with other members of the team to reach common goal(s). Accept and give constructive feedback. Able to adjust own behaviour to reach the goals of the team.

Diversity & Inclusion Statement

The University of Ottawa embraces diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We are passionate about our people and committed to employment equity. We foster a culture of respect, teamwork and inclusion, where collaboration, innovation, and creativity fuel our quest for research and teaching excellence. While all qualified persons are invited to apply, we welcome applications from qualified Indigenous persons, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, women and LGBTQIA2S+ persons. The University is committed to creating and maintaining an accessible, barrier-free work environment. The University is also committed to working with applicants with disabilities requesting accommodation during the recruitment, assessment and selection processes. Applicants with disabilities may contact [e-mail] to communicate the accommodation need. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. Note: if this is a union position: The hiring process will be governed by the current collective agreement related to the union affiliation noted above; you can click here to find out more. If this is a front-line position with responsibilities to interact with students, selected candidates must be rated at the Low Advanced proficiency level or higher for both oral comprehension and reading comprehension in their second official language. The rating is determined by a proficiency test designed by the Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute. Prior to May 1, 2022, the University required all students, faculty, staff, and visitors (including contractors) to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as defined in Policy 129 - Covid-19 Vaccination. This policy was suspended effective May 1, 2022 but may be reinstated at any point in the future depending on public health guidelines and the recommendations of experts.

The University of Ottawa offers a generous pay and benefits package that includes a competitive salary, a defined benefit pension plan, group insurance coverage and an employee and family assistance program.

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