Executive Director of Global Animal Welfare Compliance

Zoetis is seeking a highly experienced and strategic leader to serve in a senior leadership position in the Zoetis Global Animal Science and Welfare organization. This individual will be responsible for developing, implementing, maintaining, and monitoring global standards for the care and use of animals in all Zoetis-related internal and external activities worldwide. The role demands a visionary leader with deep expertise in animal science, welfare, compliance, and operational leadership, who will safeguard Zoetis’ commitment to excellence, regulatory compliance, brand integrity, and human and animal safety.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, harmonize, and oversee global animal care and use policies and practices aligned with Zoetis’ mission and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable local, national, and international guidelines, policies and laws governing animal care and use including but not limited to, USDA Animal Welfare Act 9 CFR, the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals 8th edition, The Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Research and Teaching, 4th edition, and ETS 123.
• Lead efforts to achieve and maintain AAALAC accreditation for all internal Zoetis animal care sites.
• Monitor and enforce Zoetis Brand Protection standards related to animal science and welfare.
• Prepare and deliver high-impact presentations and reports to the Zoetis Executive Team and Board of Directors on animal welfare status, compliance, and strategic initiatives.
• Manage and develop a high-performing team of direct and indirect reports, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee a significant budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources to meet organizational goals.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with all divisions of Zoetis and nurture key internal relationships with supporting functions such as regulatory, legal, corporate communications, public affairs, human resources, and external partners to integrate animal welfare standards into all relevant business processes.
• Support and promote all Zoetis sustainability and animal welfare objectives with special emphasis on the 3R’s of animal research and methods to reduce the use of animals in research and testing.
• Travel globally up to 25% to oversee operations, engage with stakeholders, and support strategic initiatives.

Qualifications

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from an AVMA-accredited institution or equivalent international credential.
• Minimum of 15 years of progressive leadership experience in animal science, welfare, or research compliance, including at least 5 years in a senior executive or global leadership capacity.
• Demonstrated success shaping and executing global animal welfare and compliance strategies across complex, multinational organizations.
• Proven ability to influence executive leadership, boards, and external stakeholders through data-driven insights, clear communication, and sound judgment.
• Demonstrated expertise in global regulatory compliance related to animal care and use.
• Track record of achieving and maintaining AAALAC or equivalent international accreditations across diverse operational environments.
• Strong executive leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills, with experience influencing boards and regulatory bodies.
• Skilled in strategic planning, operational oversight, and fiscal management of large, complex programs.
• Commitment to ethical standards, animal welfare, and human safety.
• Ability to travel globally up to 25%.

Zoetis Offers

• Opportunity to lead a critical function impacting animal welfare and scientific integrity worldwide.
• Collaborative and innovative corporate culture.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Support for professional development and global engagement.

Full time

Regular

Colleague

Any unsolicited resumes sent to Zoetis from a third party, such as an Agency recruiter, including unsolicited resumes sent to a Zoetis mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to Zoetis employees, or to Zoetis resume database will be considered Zoetis property. Zoetis will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume.

Zoetis will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Agency free of any charges or fees. This includes any Agency that is an approved/engaged vendor but does not have the appropriate approvals to be engaged on a search.

Zoetis is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status or any other protected classification. Disabled individuals are given an equal opportunity to use our online application system. We offer reasonable accommodations as an alternative if requested by an individual with a disability. Please contact Zoetis Colleague Services at zoetiscolleagueservices@zoetis.com to request an accommodation. Zoetis also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act. All applicants must possess or obtain authorization to work in the US for Zoetis. Zoetis retains sole and exclusive discretion to pursue sponsorship for the acquisition or maintenance of nonimmigrant status and employment eligibility, considering factors such as availability of qualified US workers. Individuals requiring sponsorship must disclose this fact. Please note that Zoetis seeks information related to job applications from candidates for jobs in the U.S. solely via the following: (1) our company website at www.Zoetis.com/careers site, or (2) via email to/from addresses using only the Zoetis domain of “@zoetis.com”. In addition, Zoetis does not use Google Hangout for any recruitment related activities. Any solicitation or request for information related to job applications with Zoetis via any other means and/or utilizing email addresses with any other domain should be disregarded. In addition, Zoetis will never ask candidates to make any type of personal financial investment related to gaining employment with Zoetis.