Comparative Medicine Director

Job Description

The Director of Global Animal Welfare is responsible for development and propagation of corporate policies, practices, and teams that describe, direct and support the welfare of animals that are part of AbbVie research and testing protocols. This responsibility extends to animal producers, outsourced research activity, and inter-institutional collaborations for animal studies as well as internally conducted research activity. The Director acts as a resource in animal welfare and policy for AbbVie corporate functional groups such as the legal department, government affairs, media relations, corporate responsibility, investor relations, and management at all levels of the organization, and is responsible for monitoring the public and regulatory environment for changes.

Chair and direct the function of the Global Animal Welfare Committee. The committee is charged with overseeing animal care and use across all applicable business units, and with communicating expectations to internal and external partners. Vice-chair of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). This committee is a legally required body charged with managing review and approval of animal studies, animal care programs, animal housing facilities/laboratories, and investigating animal welfare concerns. Managing the IACUC coordinator positions. The IACUC coordinator is responsible for document preparation and all record keeping related to regulatory compliance with the USDA and AAALAC accreditation. Vice Chair of the Executive Animal Committee (EAC). This committee is comprised of members of senior leadership representing areas of animal based research, Comparative Medicine, Government Affairs, Public Affairs, Security, and others. As a group, they are informed of pressing issues that potentially impact AbbVie's ability to operate and advised on potential responses. Leads and/or directs the activity of various teams within AbbVie that impact animal welfare, including and not limited to: AbbVie Alternatives Committee(seeking and promulgating alternatives to animal research), 3Rs efforts and the activity of the 3Rs Scientific Liaison(an individual position dedicated to advancing alternatives), and Dog Socialization Program and Adoption. Leads allocation (with Corporate Responsibility) of funding to appropriate advocacy and specialty organizations that are effectively promoting the responsible use of animals in research and that support AbbVie's mission. Serves as the face of AbbVie in external organizations with efforts related to responsible use of research animals, ethics and animal welfare, and promotes AbbVie's leadership position in these areas. Builds and maintains a network within the research community, including pharmaceutical company counterparts, biotechnology company counterparts, external advocacy partners, external professional organization leaders, and others who can act as a resource for animal welfare initiatives.