Assistant Director

Cuhk; United States; On-site; USD 153,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) invites applications for an Assistant Director at a rank equivalent to SAS II/AS. The appointee will provide executive leadership across clinical welfare oversight, operations, compliance, and strategy for the university’s laboratory animal facility.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree with extensive post-qualification admin/operational experience, a veterinary qualification registrable in Hong Kong, and proven management capability in a regulated

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline with 15+ years of post-qualification admin/operational experience.
• Veterinary qualification registrable in Hong Kong with specialization in laboratory animal medicine preferred.
• Proven continuing professional development in laboratory animal science, welfare standards and health monitoring.
• Strong management and supervisory experience within a laboratory animal facility or equivalent regulated biomedical setting.
• Excellent administrative, organisational and communication skills; familiarity with AAALAC framework advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead Clinical Leadership & Welfare Oversight for the Centre and supervise veterinary team.
• Oversee Operations & Workforce Coordination and ensure SOP compliance across facilities.
• Direct Regulatory Compliance & Quality Assurance for AAALAC accreditation submission and related inspections.
• Support Executive Deputisation, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Regulatory compliance

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline

Veterinary qualification registrable in Hong Kong

Job description

Assistant Director – (260001E1)

Description

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) is seeking a highly experienced and leadership-driven professional for the position of Assistant Director at a rank equivalent to Senior Assistant Secretary (SAS II) / Assistant Secretary (AS).

The appointee will be responsible for (a) Clinical Leadership & Welfare Oversight : Act as a senior clinical authority, providing expert guidance on veterinary cases, surgical protocols, and anesthesia programs; Supervise, mentor, and evaluate the core veterinary team, consisting of one Senior Veterinarian and two Veterinarians II; Oversee institutional preventative medicine and health surveillance programs to protect high-health-status and pathogen-free research environments; (b) Operations & Workforce Coordination : Manage the daily workflows and deployment of the Centre’s technical and husbandry workforce; Enforce compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Hong Kong Code of Practice and ordinances across all facilities; Monitor service performance metrics and drive ongoing operational improvements; (c) Regulatory Compliance & Quality Assurance : Direct institutional preparations and documentation for the 2028/29 AAALAC International accreditation submission; Lead the Post-Approval Monitoring (PAM) program to verify compliance with animal ethics approvals and research protocols; Coordinate formal regulatory inspections and institutional compliance reviews; and (d) Executive Deputisation & Strategy: Deputise and work with the Director on University committees, infrastructure planning sessions, and stakeholder consultations; Direct emergency preparedness protocols and lead biosecurity incident investigations; Contribute to long-term strategic planning, facility design, and service development; Support leadership continuity, succession planning, and the long-term sustainability of the Centre.

Applicants should have (i) a recognised Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline paired with a minimum of fifteen years of post-qualification administrative and operational experience; (ii) a veterinary qualification registrable in Hong Kong, with a clear specialisation or demonstrated experience in laboratory animal medicine is highly preferable; (iii) a documented profile of continuing professional development in laboratory animal science, welfare standards, and health monitoring; (iv) proven managerial and supervisory experience within a laboratory animal facility or an equivalent, highly regulated biomedical research environment; and (v) excellent administrative, organisational, and communication skills. Practical operational familiarity with the AAALAC accreditation framework is considered highly advantageous.

Appointment will initially be made on contract basis for two years, renewable subject to good performance and mutual agreement.

The University only accepts and considers applications submitted online for the post above via the CUHK career site. For more information and to apply online, please visit http://career.cuhk.edu.hk.