SHE Leader — Research & Animal Safety (Onsite)

AstraZeneca; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 106,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plan (401(k))

Paid vacation and holidays

Job summary

AstraZeneca seeks a SHE Manager – Research and Animal Safety in Gaithersburg, Maryland, onsite to lead safety, health, environment, and animal research safety programs across R&D operations.

You will design, implement, and continuously improve laboratory and animal safety initiatives, partnering across functions to strengthen regulatory compliance, manage risk, and promote a proactive safety culture aligned with Global and site objectives.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a scientific field such as biology, public health, safety, environmental science, or a related discipline.
• Experience in biosafety, bench research, animal research safety, laboratory operations, SHE, environmental health and safety, Biopharma R&D, or a related regulated environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead risk assessments, event investigations, root cause analysis, corrective action implementation, inspections, audits, and Management of Change activities.
• Strong understanding of laboratory safety principles, regulatory requirements, safety management systems, and SHE documentation requirements.
• Strong computer and technology skills, including experience with electronic safety management systems such as Enablon and related reporting, documentation, or collaboration platforms.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence, advise, and partner effectively with diverse audiences and varying levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to gather and analyze data, evaluate options, identify risks and tradeoffs, recommend a fact-based path forward, and solve complex problems with sound judgment.
• Comfort working onsite in laboratory and animal research environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead risk assessments for new processes, equipment, operational changes, laboratory renovations, and Management of Change activities; develop strategies to reduce risk exposure and support safe, compliant operations.
• conduct inspections and program self-audits across laboratories, facilities, and animal care environments; document findings, communicate results, and ensure corrective actions are tracked to timely closure.
• Lead or support investigations for injuries, illnesses, spills, near misses, and other SHE events; determine root causes, prepare reports, implement corrective actions, and ensure accurate documentation in electronic safety management systems such as Enablon.
• Use SHE data, metrics, benchmarking, and trend analysis to identify improvement opportunities, recommend practical solutions, and communicate the strategic value of SHE initiatives to stakeholders.
• Foster a culture of safety and environmental responsibility through visible leadership, stakeholder engagement, clear communication, one-point lessons, HOP-based learning, and safety communications across multiple platforms.
• Build trusted partnerships with researchers, operations, engineering, service providers, regulatory agencies, and site leadership to understand operational needs, influence decisions, and integrate SHE into daily work.
• Develop training, guidance, and communications that translate regulatory and company requirements into practical expectations for laboratory and animal research environments.
• Demonstrate strategic thinking, strong judgment, effective time management, attention to detail, and the ability to move between tactical execution and broader organizational impact.
• Maintain records, reports, and documentation in relevant systems, including AZ SHE systems, Enablon, SharePoint, WorkVivo, and related platforms.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Communication

Risk assessment

Investigations

Management of Change

Data analysis

Onsite work

Education

Master’s degree in a scientific field

Tools

Enablon

SharePoint

Job description

AstraZeneca seeks a SHE Manager – Research and Animal Safety in Gaithersburg, Maryland, onsite to lead safety, health, environment, and animal research safety programs across R&D operations.

You will design, implement, and continuously improve laboratory and animal safety initiatives, partnering across functions to strengthen regulatory compliance, manage risk, and promote a proactive safety culture aligned with Global and site objectives.