Operations Manager - Central Animal Facilities

Temple University; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full medical, dental, and vision coverage

Paid time off (11 days) and paid holidays

Tuition remission for eligible employees

Generous retirement plan

Job summary

Temple University is looking for an Operations Manager for their Central Animal Facilities. The role involves overseeing daily animal husbandry operations, ensuring compliance with regulations, and managing a team of staff.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and significant experience in an animal research environment. Benefits include full medical coverage, paid time off, and tuition remission.

If you are passionate about animal care and have the required experience, we invite you to apply.

Qualifications

• At least six years of experience in an animal research facility.
• Demonstrated ability to manage both large and small animal species.
• Experience in maintaining and enforcing departmental SOPs.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily animal husbandry operations.
• Ensure compliance with regulations and accreditation.
• Supervise and manage husbandry staff.
• Maintain facility biosecurity and safety standards.

Skills

Animal care proficiency

Knowledge of lab animal regulations

Supervisory experience

Strong communication skills

Budget management

Problem-solving abilities

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

AALAS certification (if applicable)

Tools

MS Office Suite

Sirius management system

Job description

Temple University’s LKSOM: Central Animal Facilities division is searching for an Operations Manager

Benefits:

• Full medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Paid time off (11 days) and paid holidays
• Tuition remission for eligible employees and their dependents
• Tuition free for qualifying further education
• A generous retirement plan and additional benefits

Salary Grade: T28. Learn more about the “T” salary structure here: https://careers.temple.edu/sites/careers/files/documents/T_Salary_Structure.pdf

The Operations Manager will report to the ULAR Director and is responsible for a wide variety of senior level managerial and supervisory duties within the University Laboratory Animal Resources (ULAR) at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine.

Essential Functions

The ULAR Husbandry Operations Manager plans, directs, and oversees daily animal husbandry operations in an AAALAC-accredited laboratory animal facility that houses rodents, aquatics, reptiles, and USDA‑covered species. The role ensures the highest standards of animal welfare, regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and staff performance while supporting Temple University’s research mission.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Animal Care and Welfare – Ensure all husbandry practices meet or exceed standards outlined in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, the Animal Welfare Act and Regulations (USDA), PHS Policy, AAALAC expectations, and Institutional SOPs. Oversee daily husbandry care activities for all species, ensure appropriate environmental enrichment, social housing, species‑specific care, and resolve animal welfare concerns in collaboration with relevant parties.
• Regulatory Compliance and Accreditation – Maintain readiness for USDA inspections and AAALAC site visits, support IACUC activities (semiannual inspections, post‑approval monitoring, corrective action plans), ensure accurate documentation and logs, and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs).
• Leadership and Staff Management – Supervise, coach, and evaluate husbandry supervisory and technical staff; ensure adequate staffing coverage and coordinate onboarding, training, and competency assessments with the ULAR Training Manager.
• Operational Oversight – Manage daily husbandry operations (feeding, watering, sanitation, cage washing, room turnover), develop staffing models, ensure ULAR SOP implementation, and coordinate with veterinary and research staff to support study timelines.
• SOPs and Quality Assurance – Develop, review, and revise husbandry‑related SOPs; conduct routine internal audits and quality assurance checks; lead continuous improvement initiatives.
• Facility, Equipment, and Biosecurity – Ensure proper operation and maintenance of animal rooms, equipment, and support spaces; oversee sanitation equipment in collaboration with facilities teams; enforce biosecurity and infection control practices.
• Inventory and Resource Management – Manage husbandry inventory (feed, bedding, enrichment, PPE), forecast operational needs, control costs, and coordinate vendor relationships.
• Safety and Occupational Health – Ensure compliance with institutional safety programs, promote safe animal handling and ergonomics, investigate incidents, and implement corrective actions.
• Communication and Collaboration – Serve as liaison among husbandry staff, veterinary staff, business office, investigators, and leadership; communicate operational updates effectively and participate in institutional planning activities.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in an animal or related field of life sciences and at least six years of experience in an animal research facility within an academic, pharmaceutical, or contract research organization. Valid AALAS/RLATG, ILAM, and/or AALAS/CMAR certification is required, though an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to work with both large and small animal species.
• Knowledge of pertinent laws, regulations, and policies related to laboratory animal care.
• Experience creating, maintaining, revising, and enforcing departmental SOPs, policies, and guidelines.
• Senior supervisory experience managing mid‑level supervisors.
• Strong employee management skills: time management, problem solving, conflict resolution, cultural diversity, adaptability, and creativity.
• Organizational skills and strong verbal/written communication and presentation abilities.
• Interpersonal and customer service skills; ability to interact with diverse constituents.
• Proficiency with husbandry equipment and problem‑troubleshooting.
• Computer skills and proficiency with MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Budget management and projection skills.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Preferred

• Master’s Degree in a related life sciences field.
• Experience with Sirius management system or similar.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Temple University values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity for all persons regardless of age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

Compliance Statement

In performance of their functions, employees must avoid conflicts of interest, comply with applicable laws, University and employment policies, and regulations, including NCAA regulations where relevant.