Head of Global Animal Welfare Risk Management
Zoetis
June 24, 2026
On-site
Kalamazoo, MI
Corporate Functions
Role Description
- Accountable for the operational and risk-management pillars of the Animal Welfare function: training and competency systems, cross-site program harmonization, third-party due diligence, and emerging risk monitoring.
- Central escalation point for animal welfare risk—defining risk signals the system must capture and escalation criteria.
- Partners with research teams, veterinary staff, IACUCs, and senior leadership to ensure risks are systematically identified, assessed, mitigated, and communicated, while building infrastructure and harmonized site-level practices for consistent, high-quality animal care globally.
Key Responsibilities
- Training & Competency Program Management: Design, implement, and oversee global AW training curricula and competency assessment frameworks; establish metrics and audit mechanisms to evaluate training effectiveness and drive continuous improvement.
- Cross-Site Program Harmonization & Continuous Improvement: Lead harmonization of animal welfare practices, SOPs, and internal policies across global sites; translate organizational AW standards into site-level implementation plans.
- Third-Party Animal Welfare Risk Review, Due Diligence & Escalation: Define and maintain risk thresholds, review cadence, and approval/mitigation requirements; develop audit/assessment frameworks; drive corrective action; maintain and report third-party risk portfolio status and escalation activity.
- Emerging External Risk Monitoring & Leadership Reporting: Monitor regulatory/NGO/media/reputational risks; prepare dashboards and governance updates for senior leadership.
- People Leadership: Provide supervision, mentorship, and performance management; foster collaborative, detail-oriented culture; provide development opportunities.
Qualifications
- Advanced degree (DVM, Ph.D., M.S., or equivalent) in veterinary medicine, animal science, biology, or related life science discipline required.
- Diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (DACLAM) preferred.
- IACUC certification (CPIA) or equivalent strongly preferred.
- 10+ years progressive experience in laboratory animal welfare/research compliance in pharma/biotech/CRO/academic research.
- Proven risk management, third-party due diligence, and audit program development in GxP/research context.
- Experience with event tracking systems and data-driven risk reporting.
- Prior people management experience.
Skills/Competencies
- Strong risk-assessment and analytical skills.
- Sound judgment on escalation thresholds and timely, actionable risk communication.
- Collaborative, consultative influence in a global matrixed organization.
- Exceptional organizational skills; ability to manage multiple concurrent workstreams.
- High integrity and commitment to animal welfare operational excellence.
Working Conditions
- On-site work of at least 50% required; up to 25% domestic/international travel.
- Accountable for the operational and risk-management pillars of the Animal Welfare function: training and competency systems, cross-site program harmonization, third-party due diligence, and emerging risk monitoring.
- Central escalation point for animal welfare risk—defining risk signals the system must capture and escalation criteria.
- Partners with research teams, veterinary staff, IACUCs, and senior leadership to ensure risks are systematically identified, assessed, mitigated, and communicated, while building infrastructure and harmonized site-level practices for consistent, high-quality animal care globally.
Key Responsibilities
- Training & Competency Program Management: Design, implement, and oversee global AW training curricula and competency assessment frameworks; establish metrics and audit mechanisms to evaluate training effectiveness and drive continuous improvement.
- Cross-Site Program Harmonization & Continuous Improvement: Lead harmonization of animal welfare practices, SOPs, and internal policies across global sites; translate organizational AW standards into site-level implementation plans.
- Third-Party Animal Welfare Risk Review, Due Diligence & Escalation: Define and maintain risk thresholds, review cadence, and approval/mitigation requirements; develop audit/assessment frameworks; drive corrective action; maintain and report third-party risk portfolio status and escalation activity.
- Emerging External Risk Monitoring & Leadership Reporting: Monitor regulatory/NGO/media/reputational risks; prepare dashboards and governance updates for senior leadership.
- People Leadership: Provide supervision, mentorship, and performance management; foster collaborative, detail-oriented culture; provide development opportunities.
Qualifications
- Advanced degree (DVM, Ph.D., M.S., or equivalent) in veterinary medicine, animal science, biology, or related life science discipline required.
- Diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (DACLAM) preferred.
- IACUC certification (CPIA) or equivalent strongly preferred.
- 10+ years progressive experience in laboratory animal welfare/research compliance in pharma/biotech/CRO/academic research.
- Proven risk management, third-party due diligence, and audit program development in GxP/research context.
- Experience with event tracking systems and data-driven risk reporting.
- Prior people management experience.
Skills/Competencies
- Strong risk-assessment and analytical skills.
- Sound judgment on escalation thresholds and timely, actionable risk communication.
- Collaborative, consultative influence in a global matrixed organization.
- Exceptional organizational skills; ability to manage multiple concurrent workstreams.
- High integrity and commitment to animal welfare operational excellence.
Working Conditions
- On-site work of at least 50% required; up to 25% domestic/international travel.