Manager Animal Health Laboratory
Job title: Manager Animal Health Laboratory
Role type: Permanent, full-time
Location: Upper Hutt (Wallaceville), New Zealand
Salary band & range: General Salary Range A: $162,094 to $216,985 depending on skills and experience
About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga
As Manager Animal Health Laboratory (AHL), you will provide strategic and operational leadership to ensure the delivery of reliable, high‑quality diagnostic services and scientific advice that underpin New Zealand's biosecurity system. You will guide the laboratory's future direction, champion improvement and innovation, and ensure that AHL remains a trusted, responsive, and scientifically excellent capability supporting national decision‑making.
You will also serve as the designated Operator for AHL's containment and transitional facilities, ensuring full compliance with Ministry for Primary Industries and Environmental Protection Agency standards. In this role, you will uphold regulatory requirements, manage risk organisms within certified biocontainment facilities, and maintain the robust systems and culture needed to support safe, efficient, and resilient operations in a rapidly evolving biosecurity environment.
Some of your key responsibilities will include:
- Leading strategic change to drive a modern, high‑performing laboratory environment.
- Lifting accountability and performance, ensuring AHL delivers clear, measurable outcomes.
- Ensuring diagnostic excellence through high‑quality testing and trusted scientific advice.
- Building and inspiring a high‑performing team with strong culture, clarity, and development.
- Improving systems and workflows to enhance efficiency, resource use, and scientific rigour.
- Managing risks and emerging issues early, maintaining operational resilience.