Hybrid Director of Animal Facilities at Garvan

The Australian BioResources Pty Ltd (ABR) facility in Moss Vale, NSW, is a state-of-the-art centralised facility specialising in the breeding of congenic, mutant and genetically modified mouse lines for Garvan and non- Garvan institutes throughout Australia. Additional services provided include import/export, rederivation, cryopreservation, and CRISPR genome production of novel genetically modified mice. The facility is supported by a world-class animal management system called “Stuart”.

The Director of Animal Facilities will be accountable for driving world-class practices and ensuring that the Australian BioResources’ (ABR) facility in Moss Vale, NSW, continues as the state-of-the-art centralised facility for breeding congenic, mutant and genetically modified mouse lines for the Garvan and non-Garvan researchers throughout Australia. 

In conjunction with this, you will also oversee Garvan’s Biological Testing Facility (BTF) and Garvan Molecular Genetics (GMG), which requires occasional visits to Garvan’s Darlinghurst facilities.

THE OPPORTUNITY

As Director of Animal Facilities, you will be responsible for operationalising, implementing and managing all decisions that relate to ABR’s strategy and business planning, financial performance, stakeholder relations, regulatory compliance and controls, contract negotiations and management, workplace health and safety, animal welfare, risk management and capital planning.

The facility is committed to integrating cutting-edge technologies to optimise operations, which include HEPA filtration, individually ventilated cages and biosecurity rooms.  In conjunction with managing animal welfare at the highest levels, the environmental impact is considered with 100kv solar power, hydronic heated flooring, water saving, high-efficiency chillers and conservation and recycling strategies at their heart; this opportunity provides ample scope and exciting challenges!

The Director of Animal Facilities is required to understand the strategic context of Garvan and ABR, including the complexity and governance required. You will report to the Chief Operating Officer and develop long-term relationships, externally and internally, with staff, researchers, biotech companies and the overall client base. This is a full time permanent role and salary is dependent on experience.

SNAPSHOT OF BENEFITS

• Generous salary packaging to save you income tax on your wages thereby boosting your monthly take home pay (max. $15,900 general expenses + $2,650 meals/accom)
• Ample opportunities for on-going training and development
• Stimulating, diverse and highly international research environment
• Flexible work arrangements e.g. start / finish times
• 18 weeks paid parental leave for both parents including paid superannuation
• A range of additional leave types to meet your personal needs including cultural leave, conference leave, community service and study leave
• Discounted Health Insurance
• Lifestyle discounts with our community partners
• Relocation support available

WHAT YOU WILL DO

The Director of Facilities will be site-based at ABR in Moss Vale in the beautiful Southern Highlands, with occasional travel to BTF and GMG when required.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Providing leadership to ABR, BTF, and GMG, ensuring their direction meets the requirements of Garvan and non-Garvan researchers.
• Supervise, guide and mentor 3 direct management reports, plus provide continuous evaluation and support to the broader team.
• Consistently research, evaluate and develop new business opportunities for ABR through your experience while keeping abreast of industry trends.
• Financial management and control to ensure the continued financial viability across all facilities
• Continuous improvement, review and education of a WHS culture to safeguard the safety and well-being of staff, suppliers and contractors.
• Ongoing training, development of all staff and identifying succession growth.
• Ensure all relevant legislative requirements and quality accreditation are met across the three sites.
• Ensure Standard Operating Procedures are updated and reflect the quality of procedures in all teams.
• Ensure adequate programme of veterinary care at ABR and BTF, including regular health screening, meets best practices and satisfactory disease investigations as required.
• Keep up to date with new technological advances and participate actively in the laboratory animal field in Australia.

ABOUT YOU

Given the high-profile and specialist nature of this opening, we seek a professional who is an expert in managing laboratory animal facilities.   While this role suits candidates with veterinary registrations in Australia and New Zealand, candidates with extensive experience managing animal houses for medical research without veterinary qualifications are also strongly encouraged to apply.

Your other key attributes include:

• A confident people and team leader who can inspire, motivate and consistently maintain a collaborative and high-performing team culture focused on quality, governance, WHS and continuous improvement with animal welfare at the forefront.
• Ability to develop, manage and maintain internal and external relationships and consistently forge business partnerships to ensure ABR's continued success.
• The ability to think outside the box, with well-honed problem-solving skillsets and strategic mindset to consistently evolve the quality and standing of the facilities.
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills with the capacity to present and prepare business cases and reports.
• A university degree in a relevant discipline.  Postgraduate qualifications or registration with the NSW Veterinary Practitioners Board is desirable.
• Customer and service-oriented.
• Planning and organisational skills with a strong focus on quality and completion of work.

ABOUT GARVAN

Garvan Institute of Medical Research is an independent Medical Research Institute (MRI) in Sydney, delivering scientific and clinical impact on a global basis and in partnership with organisations that share our vision. We are proud to be one of Australia’s largest and most highly regarded MRIs.

Our vision is global leadership in discoveries to impact and our enduring purpose is to impact human health, by harnessing information encoded in our genome.

We seek to see our world-class discovery research achieve life-changing impacts, not only for individual patients with rare diseases, but for the many thousands affected by complex, common disease.

Garvan promotes a diverse workplace and is committed to the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging. We are always looking for culture ‘add’, not culture ‘fit’ and are building diverse teams with great sets of complementary styles and skills to help deliver our important work effectively.

HOW TO APPLY

Garvan is using Pinpoint Recruitment to source this vacancy. To apply for this position, please submit your application with a CV and cover letter to our recruitment partner, Louise Rowe from Pinpoint Property Recruitment on: louise.rowe@pinpointrecruitment.com.au or contact her on 0400509640.

If you think you're the right person for this role, we’d love to hear how your capabilities, achievements and experience set you apart. Noting that we are also open to sponsorship for the right candidate.