Animal Care Manager

Research Animal Resources - University of Minnesota

Title:

Animal Care manager to oversee animal care operations across 13 facilities located within the University of Minnesota's AAALAC-accredited research program.
Job code: 9351LC
Employee Group:
Professional & Administrative (P&A)
Full/Part Time (FTE): 100%
Regular/Temporary:
Regular
About the Job:
The University of Minnesota's department of Research Animal Resources (RAR) is searching for an Animal Care manager to oversee animal care operations across 13 facilities located within the University of Minnesota's AAALAC-accredited research program.
The Animal Care Manager is responsible for directing, supporting, and supervising the activities of up to 8 animal care supervisors (including specialized USDA Animal Care Supervisors) and 1 Operations Coordinator, overseeing a team of approximately 70 individuals. This position reports directly to the RAR Associate Director of Animal Care and serves as a pivotal bridge between strategic leadership and ground-level operations.
The work duties for this position are complex and varied, requiring deep interpretation of technical guidelines, regulatory policies, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Success in this role demands a leader who can thrive in a high-stakes environment by balancing the diverse needs of research teams, animal welfare standards, and staff development. The ideal manager will cultivate a culture of high-quality care and engagement by proactively resolving personnel conflicts, fostering collaborative relationships across RAR leadership and stakeholders, and leading strategic improvements in operational workflows.

The manager may also lead and oversee various husbandry related projects.
Location and Work Environment:
This position works in-person on the Twin Cities campus.
This position is defined as an essential role under the University's State of Emergency policy, and plays a key role in ensuring the health and welfare of RAR's research animals. During emergencies or other situations that impact normal operations, this position may be required to perform additional duties as assigned to support the team and ensure animal care is not compromised.

These duties may include, but are not limited to, animal husbandry, sanitation, feeding, health monitoring, and will be determined at the discretion of the direct supervisor and/or RAR senior leadership based on operational needs. Training will be provided as needed. Unscheduled, mandatory overtime may be assigned by the direct supervisor/leadership as needed to ensure animal health and welfare.

Work Schedule:

The normal work schedule for this position is weekdays, Monday-Friday, 6:00AM-2:30PM, however, this position may need to respond to emergencies or other issues that require work outside of those hours. This is an exempt position that is not eligible for overtime pay.

• Ability to understand, follow, and develop complex and detailed laboratory and regulatory protocols
• Strong conflict management, organization, and planning skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with an ability to build consensus
• Strong problem‑solving skills, with a proven ability to make sound decisions in a complex, regulated environment

• Some work assignments will involve exposure to animal allergens, high levels of noise, and/or disinfectants and sanitizing agents.
• To protect employees, the University of Minnesota may require you to wear personal protective equipment (PPE), some of which may require medical monitoring and fitness testing (e.g., N95 or PAPR). All required protective equipment, testing, and medical evaluations will be provided by the University.
• All offers of employment for this position will be conditioned on the completion of a medical questionnaire, evidence of current tetanus immunization, and/or a fitness for duty examination to ensure the applicant's ability to work safely in this environment.
• An annual test for Tuberculosis and proof of current vaccinations (such as Rabies, Influenza, or Measles titers) may be required depending on the animal species housed within managed facilities.

• 50% - Direct supervision and Personnel Management
• Supervise, direct, and mentor a team of up to 8 Animal Care Supervisors (including standard Supervisors and specialized USDA Animal Care Supervisors at the Prof 2 and Prof 3 levels) and 1 Operations Coordinator.
• Establish,…