Associate Laboratory Director

College of Veterinary Medicine 

The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL) is a service unit of the University of Illinois overseen by the College of Veterinary Medicine. The VDL employs more than 70 staff and supports the work of 20 faculty members across three divisions: Urbana Laboratory (Pathology, Infectious Disease), Wildlife Diagnostics, and Clinical Pathology. Laboratory leadership currently consists of the Executive Director and the Chiefs of Staff for each of the three divisions. 

The Associate Laboratory Director will be the fifth member of this leadership team and will report directly to the Executive Director, who chairs the leadership team and has oversight of the VDL’s operational and financial performance. Each Chief of Staff is responsible for operations, faculty development, and technical excellence within their division. These responsibilities are carried out through oversight of section heads (faculty), including performance evaluations and career development, and through facilitating mentorship, continuing education, and succession planning. 

The College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is part of the university’s flagship campus and is home to three academic departments, a full-service veterinary teaching hospital, and the state’s veterinary diagnostic laboratory. The college advances animal, human, and environmental health through innovative education, clinical and diagnostic services, and research that reflects the university’s land-grant mission. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a leading public research university with more than 59,000 students, recognized globally for its breadth of academic programs and societal impact. 

• Oversee-to-day laboratory operations, including workflow, scheduling, facilities, and inventory management across locations.

  * Directly supervise all staff at the three laboratory sites plus the central office, ensuring consistent performance and accountability.

  *Manage HR functions: recruitment, onboarding, performance evaluations, employee relations, and professional-development planning.

  *Interpret and enforce laboratory policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and safety regulations in partnership with section heads.

  *Collaborate with section heads to align operational practices with scientific priorities and service commitments.

  *Develop and monitor operational budgets; track expenditures; recommend cost-saving and efficiency measures.

  *Maintain compliance with university, state, and federal requirements, including accreditation and quality-assurance standards.

  *Coordinate cross-lab initiatives such as equipment procurement, maintenance schedules, and information-system integration.

  *Lead continuous-improvement projects to enhance turnaround times, client satisfaction, and resource utilization.

  *Serve as primary point of contact for facilities management, IT support, and external service vendors.

  *Prepare and present operational performance metrics and HR reports to the Executive Director and leadership team.
  

• Participate in VDL leadership team.

   *Develop operational and financial strategies aligned with diagnostic excellence mission including budget development, resource allocation, and monthly financial analysis including KPIs and monitoring systems for strategic goal tracking.

  *Collaborate on VDL-wide challenges including emerging diseases, technology advancement, laboratory expansion and modernization.
  

• Foster a positive, inclusive team environment by communicating respectfully, collaborating effectively, and supporting colleagues.
  

• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology or related field.
• 10 years of Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory experience.
• 5 years of supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge and leadership of quality and safety programs.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with the AAVLD accreditation process. 
•  Demonstrated ability to work within a large university system including interfacing with campus level departments and functions.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• The ability to lead and work in multidisciplinary teams.
• A demonstrated ability to work in an environment with a high degree of ambiguity.
• An entrepreneurial spirit to seek opportunities and develop solutions for others’ problems.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 1/16/2026. The budgeted annual salary range for the position is $100,000 to $120,000. Final salary offered will be determined by a thorough assessment of available market data, internal salary equity, candidate experience and qualifications, collective bargaining agreements, and budget constraints. Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on Friday, January 2, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact Karen Terio at kterio@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits . This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify .

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal , or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu .

Requisition ID: 1034199
Job Category: Professional and Administrative
Apply at:https://jobs.illinois.edu