Director Operational Risk Jobs in Kalamazoo, MI (NOW HIRING)

Role Description
The Head of Global Animal Welfare Risk Management is 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. This role is the central escalation point for animal welfare risk - defining what risk signals the system must capture and the escalation criteria that govern response. This leader partners with research teams, veterinary staff, IACUCs, and senior leadership across the company to ensure risks are systematically identified, assessed, mitigated, and communicated, while building and sustaining the infrastructure and harmonized site-level practices that enable consistent, high-quality animal care globally.
Key Responsibilities
Training & Competency Program Management
Design, implement, and oversee global AW training curricula and competency assessment frameworks, ensuring personnel meet institutional and regulatory requirements. Establish metrics and audit mechanisms to evaluate training effectiveness and drive continuous program improvement.
Cross-Site Program Harmonization & Continuous Improvement
Lead harmonization of animal welfare practices, SOPs, and internal policies across all global sites to ensure operational consistency. Translate organizational AW standards into site-level implementation plans, adapting for local operational context while maintaining global consistency.
Third-Party Animal Welfare Risk Review, Due Diligence & Escalation
Define and maintain risk thresholds, review cadence, and approval or mitigation requirements governing third-party relationships. Develop audit and assessment frameworks to evaluate third-party compliance; drive corrective action plans where deficiencies are identified. Maintain and report on the status of third-party risk portfolios and escalation activity to relevant stakeholders.
Emerging External Risk Monitoring & Leadership Reporting
Monitor the external environment for emerging AW-related risks, including regulatory developments, NGO activity, media, and reputational threats. Partner with internal experts to prepare and present risk summaries, dashboards, and governance updates for senior leadership on a regular cadence.
People Leadership
Provide day-to-day supervision, mentorship, and performance management for the Animal Welfare Risk Management Team. Foster a collaborative, detail-oriented team culture focused on operational excellence and continuous improvement. Provide development opportunities to the team and ensure growth of talent.
Qualification
Education:
Advanced degree (DVM, Ph.D., M.S., or equivalent) in veterinary medicine, animal science, biology, or a related life science discipline required.
Diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (DACLAM) preferred.
IACUC certification (CPIA) or equivalent professional credential strongly preferred.
Experience:
10+ years of progressive experience in laboratory animal welfare, research compliance, or a related field within a pharmaceutical, biotech, CRO, or academic research environment.
Proven background in risk management, third-party due diligence, and audit program development in a GxP or research context.
Experience with event tracking systems and data-driven risk reporting.
Prior people management experience with a track record of developing high-performing teams.
Skills and competencies:
Strong risk-assessment and analytical skills; able to integrate risk signals from multiple sources into a clear, prioritized leadership view.
Sound judgment in determining escalation thresholds and communicating risk to senior leadership in a timely and actionable manner.
Collaborative and consultative style with the ability to influence across a global, matrixed organization without direct authority.
Exceptional organizational skills and comfort managing multiple concurrent workstreams and deadlines.
High integrity and genuine commitment to animal welfare operational excellence.
Working Conditions:
On site work of at least 50% is required.
This position may require up to 25% domestic and international travel to sites and third-party facilities.
Full time
Regular
Colleague
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