Executive Director - Global Laboratory Safety & Infrastructure

About the Opportunity

JOB SUMMARY

The Executive Director for Global Laboratory Safety and Infrastructure leads a team that promotes and ensures safety compliance and risk mitigation across the universitys global laboratory environments and ensures that lab construction renovation and fit-out provides safe and appropriate space for research and teaching. This position is responsible for unifying developing and implementing comprehensive safety programs ensuring compliance with diverse regulatory requirements and promoting best practices in laboratory safety for operations and design. The Executive Director will work collaboratively with local leaders Office of General Council Internal Audit Planning Real Estate and Facilities (PREF) Faculty Academic Safety Officers Environmental Compliance and Occupational Safety teams (ECOS) and other key stakeholders to create and maintain a safe well-regulated and sustainable research and teaching environment across Northeasterns global network.

Due to the responsibilities involved and the operational scope this role is not eligible for remote or hybrid work and must be performed on campus five days a week.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong knowledge of safety regulations (e.g. OSHA EPA NIH NSF CDC IBC and other relevant guidelines).

• Proficiency in developing and managing research safety programs in a university or research-intensive environment including risk assessment laboratory safety audits and incident response.
  

• Direct experience with design and build-out of laboratory spaces including safety engineering commissioning and maintenance.
  

• Competency reviewing complex research protocols and environments. Familiar with safety processes for hazardous chemicals biologicals toxic gases and radiation.
  

• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with faculty researchers and senior administrators in a complex organizational setting.
  

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with the leadership ability to drive cultural change around safety and compliance.
  

• Knowledge and skills required for this position are often obtained through an advanced degree in a relevant field such as Environmental Health and Safety Research Administration Engineering Sciences or a related discipline plus at least 10 years of progressive experience in laboratory safety environmental compliance or a related leadership role. International or multi-jurisdiction experience.

KEY RESPONSIILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES

1) Compliance and safety

• Develop and execute a global comprehensive laboratory safety compliance framework and program to ensure the well-being of faculty staff and students.

• In collaboration with PREF design and implement laboratory construction standards commissioning protocols and preventive maintenance plans to create and maintain safe laboratory spaces.

• Establish and maintain policies and procedures that account for local regulations concerning laboratory safety including emergency response plans and protocols.

• Lead a global safety team charged with implementing the safety program including auditing and inspections of laboratories.

• Provide strategic university-wide guidance on emerging risks safety trends and policy updates.

• Take the lead in incident response efforts involving laboratory safety and participate in other incident responses.

• Investigate safety compliance violations and address root causes to mitigate future risk; be on-call outside of regular business hours to assist with the response to laboratory incidents.

2) Collaboration and Engagement

• Work with faculty staff and research teams on all campuses to ensure laboratory safety is embedded in all phases of research planning and execution. Provide consultation including protocol review on hazardous research processes.

• Coordinate with PREF Campus Deans Academic Safety Officers and the ECOS team to create a comprehensive safety approach to construction and operation of labs with clearly defined roles and responsibilities.

• Establish safety advisory committees as needed by campus to meet safety and compliance requirements.

• Work with PIs and researchers across all campuses to include review of hazardous research processes; collaborate with colleges and departments to ensure research spaces are maintained to support safe and effective research activities.

3) Training Education and Culture of Safety

• Lead a team in the development and implementation of comprehensive training programs for faculty researchers and staff on laboratory safety hazard communication emergency preparedness and compliance requirements tailored by location.

• Promote a culture of accountability and transparency regarding health and safety practices through awareness campaigns workshops and ongoing professional development opportunities.

• Ensure that all training programs align with regulatory requirements and industry best practices as appropriate.

4) Resource Management and Staffing

• Ensure that relevant resources and positions are utilized to expand the expertise and knowledge in the unit as well as to support specific campus and building safety needs.

• Oversee the global recruitment training and professional development of safety personnel within the academic and research enterprise

Position Type

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience education and skills when extending an offer.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race religion color national origin age sex sexual orientation disability status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Compensation Grade/Pay Type: