Veterinary Director

University of Toronto; Mississauga; On-site; CAD 132,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

A premier research institution in Mississauga seeks a Veterinary Director to lead animal care services, collaborate with researchers, and manage the animal facility. The role requires a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and at least 6 years of strategic leadership experience in a research environment. Key responsibilities include ensuring compliance with animal care standards, managing the budget, and driving innovation in animal welfare research. Strong managerial and communication skills are essential for success in this position.

Qualifications

• Minimum of six years’ experience in a strategic leadership role in an animal research environment.
• Experience managing a vivarium renovation project preferred.
• Formal training in lab animal medicine is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee animal care facility support services.
• Collaborate with researchers to refine experimental models.
• Manage the facility’s budget and daily operations.

Skills

Demonstrated managerial skills

Superior interpersonal skills

Excellent oral and written communication skills

Excellent computer skills

Excellent decision-making skills

Effective problem solving

Education

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with a license to practice in Ontario

Tools

PowerPoint

Word

Excel

Job description

Date Posted: 12/01/2025
Req ID: 46259
Faculty/Division: UofT Mississauga
Department: UTM:Ofc of the ViceP Research&Innovation
Campus: University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM)

DESCRIPTION

U of T Mississauga—the second largest campus of Canada’s top-ranked university and the only research university in Ontario’s booming Peel Region—is one of the world’s great catalysts of human potential. Our employee community hums with the energy of 3,400 faculty, librarians and staff, who power our campus with curiosity, connection and care. We work together to spark life‑changing research and innovation, make an indelible mark on the world by building equitable cities and societies, enable healthy lives, create a sustainable future and ignite entrepreneurship. Above all, we prioritize student success, and seek to give our 16,500 students the lift of a lifetime through learning and discovery. We love to open opportunities available nowhere else for our community to achieve their ambitions and make their unique contributions to Canada and the world. This work all comes together on a spectacularly green campus, alongside the Missinihe‑ziibi (Trusting Creek or Credit River), where we seek to honour truth, reciprocity and reconciliation on the traditional land of the Huron‑Wendat, Seneca and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. We’re thrilled to welcome those who want to learn more about us and to be part of what we do.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Veterinary Director leads and oversees research and innovation support services within the animal care facility at UTM, fostering a strong service‑oriented culture that enables and advances high‑quality research and innovation. They collaborate closely with researchers to refine experimental models and ensure excellence in scientific and ethical practice. The incumbent provides leadership to a unionized, well‑trained animal care team, directing the local veterinary care program and delivering responsive and professional veterinary services for a diversity of species housed in UTM facilities and studied in the field, while ensuring full compliance with CCAC and OMAFA standards. The role includes managing the facility’s budget in collaboration with the UTM OVPRI Finance & Research Operations manager, and daily operations, as well as planning and implementing facility improvements, renovations, and equipment acquisitions to meet evolving research needs. The Associate Vice‑Principal Research and Innovation (AVPRI)–Facilities is consulted on budget and human resource matters to ensure alignment with institutional priorities and policies. As an active collaborator in the University of Toronto’s Animal Care Program, the incumbent serves on various committees, including the University and Local Animal Care Committees (UACC/LACC), contributing to the advancement of animal welfare and research excellence across the institution. This position reports directly to the AVPRI–Facilities and indirectly to the University Veterinarian.

EDUCATION

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with a license to practice in Ontario. Formal training in lab animal medicine is an asset (e.g., residency, ACLAM certification or eligibility).

EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of six (6) years’ experience in a strategic leadership and management role in an animal research environment including experience managing staff, preferably in a unionized environment.
• Prior experience managing a vivarium renovation project preferred.
• Experience developing organizational change models is required.
• Experience providing clinical care and research support.
• Experience serving on Animal Care Committee.
• Demonstrated decision‑making ability with respect to organizational structure, staff and management.
• Experience developing, implementing and maintaining an animal care program within a research/academic environment.
• Experience with CCAC and provincial standards is required.
• Experience with Biosafety Level II materials and the maintenance of highly specialized rodent and fish breeding lines.
• Experience working with and interpreting policies and procedures pertaining to animal care and animal care legislation.
• Experience working with and interpreting policies related to human resources and procurement.
• Experience providing training and leadership to students and adults, and supervising staff.

SKILLS

• Demonstrated managerial skills are required.
• Superior interpersonal skills as well as excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work with minimal or no supervision.
• Excellent computer skills which should include a good knowledge of PowerPoint, Word and Excel software.
• Excellent decision‑making skills, and ability to work under pressure.
• Diplomacy and tact are essential.
• Effective problem solving.

OTHER

• Excellent administrative and proactive planning and organizational skills.
• Strong leadership including the ability to motivate and encourage initiative in staff and students and to develop cooperative, collegial working relationships with a broad range of university constituencies.
• Demonstrated strategic planning, change and project management skills.
• Demonstrated judgment, and decision making employing both tact and negotiation skills.
• Discretion and confidentiality in dealing with sensitive information.
• Proven ability to apply vivarium and animal research concepts to develop and implement strategic plans and renovation projects.
• Proven ability to influence others.

CLOSING DATE

Closing Date: 01/07/2026, 11:59PM ET

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Employee Group: Salaried
Personnel Subarea: PM
Appointment Type: Budget - Continuing
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: PM 6 – Hiring Zone: $132,351 - $154,409 – Broadband Salary Range: $132,351 - $220,587
Job Category: Administrative / Managerial