Director Laboratory Animal Management (Research Animal Resources)

Johns Hopkins University; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 86,300 - 151,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore seeks aDirector of Lab Animal Management who will report to the Attending Veterinarian and the Executive Director for Research Animal Resources (RAR) and will ensure animal husbandry in all assigned JHU facilities. Travel between facilities is required.

You will lead animal care operations, oversee regulatory compliance with AWA, the Guide, AAALAC standards, and SOPs, and develop CAPA programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Animal Husbandry, or related field.
• Ten years of progressively responsible experience managing a large, complex animal research facility.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience, and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Responsibilities

• Direct animal care operations within designated JHU animal facilities.
• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of animal care operations across designated JHU animal research facilities, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and research objectives.
• Ensure full operational, regulatory, and accreditation compliance with standards including the Animal Welfare Act, Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, AAALAC International, and internal SOPs.
• Lead, develop, and manage Animal Care Managers, fostering accountability and continuous improvement.
• Establish and maintain high standards for animal husbandry programs and welfare of all research animals.
• Provide executive oversight of laboratory animal operations across locations to ensure consistency, efficiency, and compliance.
• Design and implement programs driving workplace safety, regulatory readiness, and process efficiency.

Skills

Animal Facility Management

Leadership

Regulatory Compliance

Process Improvement

Vendor Negotiation

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Animal Husbandry, or related field

Job description

Johns Hopkins University is seeking a Director of Lab Animal Management that will report to the Attending Veterinarian and Executive Director for Research Animal Resources (RAR) and will ensure animal husbandry in all assigned animal facilities at Johns Hopkins University are performed in a manner compatible with all humane, legal, and scientific requirements. The position will require travel between JHU facilities.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Direct animal care operations within designated JHU animal facilities.
• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of animal care operations across designated JHU animal research facilities, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and research objectives.
• Ensure full operational, regulatory, and accreditation compliance with all applicable standards, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal Welfare Act, the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, and other state, federal and local animal welfare laws and regulations, PHS Policy, standards set forth by AAALAC International, and internal JHU Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Lead, develop, and manage Animal Care Managers, fostering a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement across supervisory and husbandry teams
• Establish and maintain high standards for animal husbandry programs, ensuring the health, welfare, and ethical care of all research animals.
• Provide executive oversight of laboratory animal operations, including satellite facilities, to ensure consistency, efficiency, and compliance across all locations.
• Design and implement operational programs that drive workplace safety, regulatory readiness, process efficiency, and exceptional standards of organization and sanitation
• Direct the development and execution of a comprehensive, institution-wide integrated pest management program.
• Serve as the primary liaison between Research Animal Resources (RAR) leadership and the JHU LiUNA Bargaining Unit, ensuring effective interpretation, administration, and compliance with collective bargaining agreements.
• Collaborate and partner with key institutional stakeholders-including Human Resources, Labor Relations, Facilities Management, Occupational and Environmental Safety, and the Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC)-to ensure coordinated operations, risk mitigation, and alignment with institutional goals.
• Establish and continuously refine enterprise-wide policies, procedures, and operational frameworks to ensure a highly efficient, scalable, and compliant animal care program.
• Provide strategic leadership in the development, standardization, and governance of SOPs and operational policies, ensuring consistency, regulatory alignment, and workforce effectiveness across all animal care functions.
• Oversee and optimize supply chain strategy, including demand forecasting, vendor performance, inventory controls, and cost containment initiatives to support uninterrupted operations.
• Lead high-level vendor negotiations and contracting strategies for supplies, services, and capital equipment, in partnership with the Attending Veterinarian, to achieve best value and long-term operational sustainability.
• Partner with the Attending Veterinarian to provide executive oversight of capital projects, including new construction, renovations, and commissioning of vivaria and support spaces, ensuring alignment with research growth and regulatory requirements.
• Co-lead the development and execution of short- and long-term strategic plans for RAR operations, including capacity planning, space utilization, service delivery models, and future-state facility design.
• Serve as a key strategic partner to internal stakeholders-including faculty, veterinary services, finance, and HR-to align operational priorities with research needs and institutional objectives.
• Direct the investigation and resolution of complex operational, facility, and compliance issues, including adverse events; implement sustainable corrective and preventive action (CAPA) plans and strengthen risk mitigation strategies.
• Design and implement comprehensive workforce development and training programs that enhance technical competency, leadership capability, and regulatory compliance across all levels of staff.
• Champion a culture of operational excellence by establishing best practices in documentation, data integrity, and recordkeeping to support compliance, audit readiness, and informed decision-making.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Animal Husbandry, or related field.
• Ten years of progressively responsible experience managing a large, complex animal research facility.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience, and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications

Technical Qualifications & Specialized Certifications

• Certification by the American Association of Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) at the Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG) or Certified Manager of Animal Resources (CMAR) level required.

Technical Skills & Expected Level of Proficiency

• Animal Facility Management - Advanced
• Animal Husbandry and Health Monitoring - Advanced
• Training and Development: -Advanced
• Animal Welfare Compliance - Advanced
• Interpersonal Skills - Advanced
• Process Improvement - Advanced

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work under environmental conditions that could require the use of safety equipment.
• Specialty Occupational Health requirements up to date and complete.

Classified Title: Director Laboratory Animal Management
Role/Level/Range: L/04/LE
Starting Salary Range: $86,300 - $151,000 Annually (Commensurate w/exp.)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: M-F / 8:30AM-5PM
FLSA Status:Exempt
Location: School of Medicine Campus
Department name: Research Animal Resources
Personnel area: University Administration