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Req #: 246451

Department: COMPARATIVE MEDICINE

Appointing Department Web Address: http://www.washington.edu/compmed

Posting Date: 05/28/2025

Closing Info:

Open Until Filled

Salary: $12,584 - $14,250 per month

Shift: First Shift

Notes:

As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here. (https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/02/benefits-professional-staff-librarians-academic-contract-covered-exempt-20250130-a11y.pdf)

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills, and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.

The Department of Comparative Medicine has an outstanding opportunity for a Director of Comparative Medicine to join their team.

The Department of Comparative Medicine (DCM) is an independent unit within the School of Medicine and has achieved international standing in its field. The mission of the Department of Comparative Medicine at the University of Washington is to foster knowledge and improve the health and well-being of humans and animals by advancing research and training in comparative medicine and biology. For the greater community this is accomplished by provision of diverse and accomplished service including the promotion of excellence in the humane care of animals and the collegial sharing of specialized expertise. An overarching goal is to ensure a collaborative working environment based on integrity and trust. The Department’s central office is located on campus in the UW Health Sciences complex.

The Department of Comparative Medicine has an interdisciplinary team comprised of 15 faculty members, 111 staff members, and 4 current residents. The Department has an annual operation budget of about $20 million including $9 million in research funding from sources federal, state, and industry sponsors. The department has seven scientific cores and programs that support both University investigators and the local and regional scientific community.

The Department of Comparative Medicine provides academic education and training for the next generation of veterinary scientists in biomedical research through its Departmental residency, clerkship, and MS degree programs. Graduates become leaders in comparative medicine while engaged in service, research, and teaching. The clinical laboratory animal medicine residency program takes advantage of opportunities that exist at the University of Washington, which consistently ranks among the top 3 public medical schools in NIH extramural awards among American universities, has 38 NIH-sponsored training programs, and has an energetic nationally and internationally recognized faculty in Comparative Medicine that is committed to training. The Department’s faculty lead research programs in basic immunology, transplantation, cell therapy, cancer, nutrition, aging, lab animal medicine, and comparative pathology.

The Department of Comparative Medicine’s Animal Resources Program is the central provider of laboratory animal care and husbandry services within the University of Washington’s AAALAC-accredited animal care program. The Animal Resources Program maintains over 200,000 assignable square feet of animal facilities across numerous vivaria throughout the Seattle area and provides care to over 100,000 animals of multiple, diverse species (e.g., rodents, rabbits, swine, and zebrafish). The Program is supported by more than 75 individuals who provide a comprehensive range of animal husbandry as well as facility operations and management services. The Department of Comparative Medicine is dedicated to the improvement of health and medicine of both humans and animals through the humane and ethical use of animals in biomedical research.

POSITION COMPLEXITIES

The Director reports to the Department Chair and School’s Associate Dean of Administration and Operations (ADAO) and serves as the business manager and senior administrative support representative for the Department. As a UW SoM Department Director, the incumbent carries out duties prescribed by the directing, overseeing, or partnering institutions and organizations. The critical knowledge and skills are organized into the areas of: Human Resource Management, Financial Management and Development Activities, Operations Management, Practice Plan Management, Information Technology Management, Research Management, Compliance and Risk Management, Facilities Management and Educational Program(s) Management. He/she/they acts in an advisory capacity to the Chair and various Department committees, providing financial guidance, background information, and management advice. In addition, the Director is the Department's primary working-level interface with the Dean's Office, the Practice Plans, and other departments in the University regarding administrative issues. The Director will be responsible for creating or refining administrative structures that support the Department.

The Director manages a complex academic and service-oriented department with a wide range of interdisciplinary activities that include research, education, internal and external contracts and operational services. The role requires navigating competing priorities across diverse stakeholder groups including faculty, staff, trainees, external sponsors, and regulatory bodies.

Key complexities include:

+ Developing, integrating, and managing multiple budgets across research, animal care services, and educational programs totaling nearly $20 million annually.

+ Leading the administrative and financial operations of the Animal Resources Program, which spans over 200,000 square feet of vivarium space and supports research involving more than 100,000 animals of varied species.

+ Overseeing compliance to ensure the department adheres to state and federal laws, policies and regulations in relation to animal research.

+ Supporting faculty engaged in diverse research areas—such as immunology, cancer, transplantation, cell therapy, nutrition, aging, and pathology—requiring nuanced administrative support tailored to each program’s needs.

+ Leading a department of an interdisciplinary workforce of 195 individuals, including technical and administrative staff, often in regulated or specialized roles across multiple disciplines.

+ Advising the Chair and ADAO on financial and operational decisions with long-term impacts on departmental stability, research, and academic mission.

+ Continuous innovation in administrative strategy, including the development of scalable systems, adaptive planning, and proactive risk management.

+ Knowledge of business operations aiming to foster collaborations and execute contracts to local, regional and national industries (pharma, biotech, or research institutions).Administration and Operational Complexities:

+ Ensuring adherence to federal, state, and institutional regulations governing animal welfare, research protocols, and biosafety standards.

+ Promoting a culture of ethical responsibility in the animal research laboratory environment.

+ Overseeing the operations of specialized animal facilities that meet environmental and safety standards, requiring coordination of resources and contingency planning.Finance Complexities:

+ Overseeing the procurement processes of animal orders that includes small animals, large animals, and aquatic animals – each with different processing requirements and funding regulation.

+ Generating budget forecasts for the provision and upkeep of facility operations and equipment.

+ Assistance to faculty focused on biomedical research, specialized equipment and facility grant proposals.

+ Ensuring department staffing and personnel training to provide specialized transportation services and animal handling to ensure animal welfare.

+ Leading department financial accounting and forecasting efforts across a variety of research projects and funding sources.

+ Ensuring the department is within compliance with authorized vendors for animal purchasing. **DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES** Human Resource Management – 25%

+ In close collaboration with the chair, manages the human resources of the department, to include the faculty and the department staff, in accordance with University of Washington and School of Medicine policy and procedures.

+ Oversees and supervises all staff HR activities for the department and works in conjunction with the Chair and Chair’s Executive Assistant to manage faculty affairs.

+ Interprets and integrates federal, state, UW, SoM, and other local laws and agreements into department policies and procedures.

+ Develops and/or utilizes HR measurement/monitoring systems.

+ Responds to and assists in needs/requirements for faculty and staff training and coaching.

+ Negotiates faculty/staff relations to represent viewpoints and positions fairly.Financial Management and Development Activities – 20%

+ Manages the financial resources of the department to include budgets and funds from federal, state, private, University, and foundation sources to ensure ethical and fiduciary practices.

+ Interacts with faculty and staff to facilitate the department’s ability to achieve scientific and educational goals.

+ Interprets policies and regulations concerning the department’s financial activities; ensures compliance with the University’s policies and procedures as well as guidelines from the federal government, state, and other research project sponsors.

+ Develops and implements internal financial system controls to ensure integrity of all financial transactions in accordance with applicable jurisdictions.

+ Maintains a working knowledge of the department’s financial operations, funding sources, policies, and procedures.

+ Brings an entrepreneurial spirit and experience to support new ventures that position DCM as a premier, nationally recognized center of excellence.Operations Management – 10%

+ Manages department operations to ensure the day-to-day and cyclic requirements are met; plans, resources, and monitors programmatic activities; prepares reports, terminates, or continues programs; plans or coordinates marketing documents or activities.

+ Embraces servant leadership in supporting an environment for all DCM staff and faculty.

+ Coordinates a variety of general administrative activities necessary to the department’s day-to-day operations.

+ Understands and integrates the cyclic operational responsibilities of the UW and SoM into department planning, policies, and procedures.

+ Understands and implements change management processes that include not only organizational dynamics, but also the policies and procedures of approving offices or agencies.

+ Negotiates or builds new relationships, partnerships, or coalitions to advance the department’s vision or mission.Information Management – 10%

+ Manages the information requirements of the department, to include academic, business, educational and research information needs; incorporating and utilizing the existing Information Technology architecture.

+ Coordinates and manages the department web site and links including all aspects of department functions: service line and outreach activities, research enterprises, faculty biosketches and publications, and training programs.

+ Develops written communication materials which may include department newsletter, advancement brochures, and other information to support public relations, scientific presentations, development activities.

+ Coordinates and participates in public relations and/or fundraising events including donor relations and represents the department at University and external functions; collaborates with SoM Advancement for fundraising events and issues.

+ Ensures a viable and secure Information Technology architecture is in place, and educates faculty and staff to the importance of and compliance with a configuration management plan and policy.

+ Develops standard operation protocols of office procedures to ensure robust functioning and training of staff.Research Management – 10%

+ Manages the research resources of the department, to include grant and contract staff and processes, research staff support, capital equipment, physical plant, IACUC, IRB, and Protected Health Information compliance issues.

+ Designs and implements administrative procedures for grant and contract administration.

+ Interprets and integrates federal, state, industry, and private policies, laws, contracts and agreements regarding research activities at the UW.

+ Assists faculty in the identification of research sponsorship, pre-submission activities, IACUC, IRB and other federal animal research requirements, supports documents and verifications, and submission of grant and contract proposals.

+ Reviews and approves all department grant and contract applications.

+ In close partnership with faculty provides frequent assessment of current grant funding.Compliance and Risk Management – 5%

+ Promotes compliance and manages risk in accordance with policies of the University, UW Medicine, and other oversight bodies, to ensure operations and resources are in alignment with mission and requirements.

+ Interprets and integrates federal, state, and industry laws or policies on corporate compliance; topics to include fraud and anti-kick-back, to mitigate risk to the department and to individual faculty or staff.

+ Ensures that all spaces, rooms, animal facilities, and laboratories are properly equipped and have the appropriate security measures in place to safeguard information, physical resources, and staff.Facilities Management – 10%

+ In close coordination with the Chair and the Director of Husbandry Operations manages facilities to ensure effective, efficient, and safe operations and preservation of resources.

+ Reviews, develops, and in consultation with the Chair assigns space to staff and faculty, including research lab areas and offices; coordinates moves and/or relocations of offices, laboratories, and personnel.

+ Develops written material for long-range space planning including major renovation projects; collaborates with the Chair and working with the Dean’s Office when appropriate, to develop business plans and proposals to support requests for additional space.

+ Interprets and integrates federal, state, UW, and other laws and policies relating to safeguarding of facilities and capital resources.

+ Builds and maintains relationships with the medical centers’ facilities staff to ensure timely correction of deficiencies/repairs to facilities, and to ensure compliance with remodeling and facility modification guidelines.Educational Program(s) Management – 10%

+ Supports program director(s) and faculty in management of educational program(s).

+ Supports faculty in managing educational programs. This includes direct supervision of educational support staff; identifies financial and other resources in support of educational programs; and responds effectively to difficult or non-routine challenges.

+ Adjusts and oversees the implementation of departmental policies to adhere to the guidelines of professional, educational, or research organizations.

+ Supports periodic program reviews for accreditation (AAALAC), certification, or training grant renewals and managing changes to program requirements as directed by the Graduate School and/or SoM.

+ Responds to requests from current or potential graduate students and members of the public about the department’s educational and research programs. **MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS**

+ This position requires a minimum of 3 years' experience and a Master’s degree in Business Administration, Health Care Administration, Public Health, or related field. **Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.** **ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS**

+ Management-level administrative experience, preferably in a research institution environment or academic medical center.

+ Demonstrates proactive leadership skills, creative thinking and innovative problem solving skills

+ Demonstrated competence in financial operations, business planning, financial analysis, and strategic planning.

+ Demonstrated experience working with large, highly structured personnel systems.

+ Proven leadership, communication, team building, and problem-solving skills.

+ Demonstrated ability to address complex and sensitive administrative issues with diplomacy and effectiveness.

+ Strong employee relations skills and experience working with diverse faculty and staff.

+ Demonstrated ability to work independently, with a high level of initiative, and as part of a team. **Application Process:** The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are access ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.