Associate Director Animal Compliance

at  McGill University

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Position Summary:
Reporting to the University Veterinarian and Associate Vice-Principal (Animal Care), the Associate Director Animal Compliance provides leadership for the management, support, and assessment of the McGill Animal Care and Use Program Operations. The incumbent directly manages a team of professional staff and is responsible for regulatory oversight for the facilities and animal care operations of the Animal Care and Use Program of McGill University. She/he will ensure that all animal care and use is carried out in accordance with all appropriate guidelines and standards and strict compliance protocols and interact directly with agencies (CCAC etc.) and the different entities within the program such as the Faculty Animal Care Committees. The Associate Director will keep abreast of new developments and trends in animal regulations and compliance and actively foster collaborations with other institutions.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Plan procedures, policies and processes to maximize services of the Animal Compliance Office (ACO) goals and objectives and the University’s overall mission of teaching and research.
• Foster relationships with other University units (Animal Policy & Welfare Oversight Committee APWOC), Facility Animal Care Committee (FACC), Comparative Medicine & Animal Resource Centre (CMARC), Faculties, Affiliated Hospitals Research Institutes and Departments), external organizations (Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC, etc.) as well as other institutions.
• Proactively work with researchers, FACC members, and animal care personnel to resolve sensitive issues in a timely and collaborative manner.
• Develop and maintain collegial and proactive relationships with internal and external constituents, including the FACC/ Animal Care Committee (ACC) Chairs, researchers, veterinarians, animal care and management personnel, other compliance offices, and university administration, as well as representatives of the CCAC. Key role in the preparation of mandatory reports and documents to the CCAC.
• In collaboration, with the AVP Animal Care, establish strategic guidance of the ACO and oversee implementation of short and long-term plans related to compliance responsibilities and administrative services.
• Provide expertise in the development and implementation of policies, programs and systems that support ACO initiatives.
• Provide guidance and leadership to unit members and other professionals on compliance issues.
• Represent unit at internal and/or external meetings.
• Plan administrative policies and procedures to support ACO’s mission and goals.
• Evaluate ongoing internal processes and use this data to develop improvements.
• Develop strategic plans for the ACO, which include improving protocol submission and processing, developing state of the art mechanisms of data collection, records maintenance, and data retrieval within the landscape of constantly evolving regulatory requirements.
• Responsible for the provision of information technologies in support of the University’s Animal User Protocols and regulatory animal compliance.
• Responsible for content and maintenance of the APWOC web site and the committee’s activities.
• Keep abreast of new developments and trends in university administration and animal care and use regulations as well as CCAC, Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Health Canada and applicable provincial and national governmental requirements.
• Oversee physical resources of the unit and reporting areas ensuring compliance with university and government regulations and budgetary controls. Review objectives and make recommendations for the efficient utilization of space.
• In collaboration with the AVP Animal Care establishes financial priorities for the Animal Compliance Office.
• Directly manage a large team of professional and management employees. Participate with HR in the hiring of new staff, complete probation/trial period/ evaluate performance and prepare performance dialogue assessments.
• Provide training and coaching. Evaluate training needs. Delegate work, verify that deadlines and objectives are met. Support team members in achieving unit objectives.
• Instruct APWOC, FACCs, Faculties, Institutes, researchers, staff and students on the regulatory requirements of animal care and use program.

Complexity and Scope
Able to identify program, administrative and financial issues and implement corrective actions. Evaluate organizational impact. Perform analysis to ensure compliance of the animal care and use program. Evaluate the effectiveness of policies, procedures and systems. Facilitate resolution of complex, sensitive issues and maintain positive professional relationships. Ensure a strong post-approval monitoring program over research, teaching and animal facilities.
Accountability
Accountable for decisions that can have major impact on the unit, McGill University and Affiliated Hospitals’ Research Institutes with respect to research compliance.

Other Qualifying Skills and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, preferred Advanced scientific degree (MSc, PhD, DVM). 5 years relevant experience with ACCs, CCAC, ideally in a leadership role.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability to communicate coherently across varied audiences from different backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated experience supervising staff at all levels.
• Proficiency with MS Office, particularly Excel.
• Able to resolve minor computer problems, edit web page and possess working knowledge of some online applications.
• English and French. McGill University is an English-language university where day to day duties require English communication both verbally and in writing. The level of English required for this position has been assessed at a level #4 on a scale of 0-4.

Minimum Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s Degree 5 Years Related Experience /
Annual Salary:
(MPEX Grade 08) $99,490.00 - $124,360.00 - $149,230.00
Job Profile:
MPEX-ADM3B - Research Administration - Senior Professional/Manager
Hours per Week:
33.75 (Full time)
Supervisor:
Professor (Professional)
Position End Date (If applicable):
Deadline to Apply:
2024-10-06
McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence,
accessibilityrequest.hr@mcgill.ca.

• Plan procedures, policies and processes to maximize services of the Animal Compliance Office (ACO) goals and objectives and the University’s overall mission of teaching and research.
• Foster relationships with other University units (Animal Policy & Welfare Oversight Committee APWOC), Facility Animal Care Committee (FACC), Comparative Medicine & Animal Resource Centre (CMARC), Faculties, Affiliated Hospitals Research Institutes and Departments), external organizations (Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC, etc.) as well as other institutions.
• Proactively work with researchers, FACC members, and animal care personnel to resolve sensitive issues in a timely and collaborative manner.
• Develop and maintain collegial and proactive relationships with internal and external constituents, including the FACC/ Animal Care Committee (ACC) Chairs, researchers, veterinarians, animal care and management personnel, other compliance offices, and university administration, as well as representatives of the CCAC. Key role in the preparation of mandatory reports and documents to the CCAC.
• In collaboration, with the AVP Animal Care, establish strategic guidance of the ACO and oversee implementation of short and long-term plans related to compliance responsibilities and administrative services.
• Provide expertise in the development and implementation of policies, programs and systems that support ACO initiatives.
• Provide guidance and leadership to unit members and other professionals on compliance issues.
• Represent unit at internal and/or external meetings.
• Plan administrative policies and procedures to support ACO’s mission and goals.
• Evaluate ongoing internal processes and use this data to develop improvements.
• Develop strategic plans for the ACO, which include improving protocol submission and processing, developing state of the art mechanisms of data collection, records maintenance, and data retrieval within the landscape of constantly evolving regulatory requirements.
• Responsible for the provision of information technologies in support of the University’s Animal User Protocols and regulatory animal compliance.
• Responsible for content and maintenance of the APWOC web site and the committee’s activities.
• Keep abreast of new developments and trends in university administration and animal care and use regulations as well as CCAC, Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Health Canada and applicable provincial and national governmental requirements.
• Oversee physical resources of the unit and reporting areas ensuring compliance with university and government regulations and budgetary controls. Review objectives and make recommendations for the efficient utilization of space.
• In collaboration with the AVP Animal Care establishes financial priorities for the Animal Compliance Office.
• Directly manage a large team of professional and management employees. Participate with HR in the hiring of new staff, complete probation/trial period/ evaluate performance and prepare performance dialogue assessments.
• Provide training and coaching. Evaluate training needs. Delegate work, verify that deadlines and objectives are met. Support team members in achieving unit objectives.
• Instruct APWOC, FACCs, Faculties, Institutes, researchers, staff and students on the regulatory requirements of animal care and use program