Co-Executive Director Laboratory Services Division - Director Animal Health Laboratory

Co-Executive Director Laboratory Services Division - Director Animal Health Laboratory

Location:

Guelph, ON, CA, N1G 2W1

Primary Category Page:
Staff and Management

Division: LSD Animal Health Laboratory

Requisition

Department: LSD AHL Executive Office
This position is represented by the agreement between the Professional Staff Association and the University of Guelph

If you are a current employee of the University of Guelph you must apply on the internal Career Page to be considered as an internal applicant.

The University of Guelph is seeking applications for the position of Co-Executive Director, Laboratory Services Division (LSD) and Director, Animal Health Laboratory (AHL) within the Office of Research. As one of Canada’s premier animal disease laboratories, the Co-Director LSD/Director, AHL has the unique opportunity to lead and inspire a high performing team to provide world-class client service in a rapidly evolving scientific environment and provide high-value analytical and diagnostic services to the agriculture, food and veterinary sectors.

The Laboratory Services Division, comprised of the Animal Health Laboratory (AHL) and the Agriculture & Food Laboratory (AFL), is a self-sustaining business. Operating within the University of Guelph, Laboratory Services is supported by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA)-University of Guelph Agreement and by fee‑for‑laboratory services provided to industry, government, and researchers. Under the leadership of the Associate Vice‑President Research, Agri‑Food Partnership, the Co‑Executive Directors (AHL & AFL) have overall responsibility for ensuring the operational and financial success of the entire division and that the two laboratories remain viable entities within the greater agreement between the University and OMAFA.

Both Co‑Executive Directors also fulfill the role of Director of their respective laboratories. As Director, Animal Health Laboratory, the incumbent is responsible for all aspects of the management and operation of AHL, an American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians‑accredited, full‑service, all‑species veterinary laboratory, which, in partnership with the Ontario Veterinary College, functions as the provincial veterinary reference laboratory. The wide spectrum of test results generated by the AHL provides key animal health surveillance data to OMAFA in support of domestic and global viability of Ontario’s livestock industry.

The Ontario Animal Health Network (OAHN), which is managed by the Director, AHL under the OMAFA‑UofG Agreement, plays a critical role in national animal health surveillance initiatives. The incumbent is responsible for an annual budget of $22 million and 120 employees.

Ideal candidates must hold a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or equivalent and must be eligible for licensure to practice veterinary medicine in Ontario. Candidates must also have a Doctoral degree in a veterinary laboratory medicine discipline (e.g., PhD, DVSc), preferably with specialty board certification. Coupled with the educational requirements, the successful candidate ideally has at least nine years of progressive experience leading the operation of, and teams within, a veterinary diagnostic laboratory.

Experience and knowledge of quality assurance and accreditation processes are essential. Strong knowledge of agricultural commodity groups and diseases, and knowledge of biosecurity and biosecurity standards is preferred. Candidates will have a track record of supporting and delivering exemplary client service, operational excellence and people leadership as well as have proven relationship building, collaboration and communication skills, presentation skills and financial acumen.

Please include a cover letter describing your fit with the position along with your curriculum vitae in your application.

Employee Type:
Regular

Position Number:

Classification: P&M FT
- Band 15

Professional/Managerial Salary Bands

The target hiring salary for this position is minimum and up to 96% of midpoint for the salary grade.

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

Posting Date: 06/18/2026

Closing Date: 07/09/2026