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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Veterinary Research Manager

💰 $120,000 - $185,000+

ScienceResearchVeterinaryManagementAnimal HealthBiotechnology

🎯 Role Definition

The Veterinary Research Manager is the central figure who orchestrates the scientific and operational success of veterinary clinical and preclinical studies. This individual acts as the bridge between scientific innovation and tangible results, blending deep veterinary expertise with sharp project management and leadership. You'll spearhead complex research initiatives, guide a team of dedicated scientists, and ensure that every study is executed with precision, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to animal welfare and regulatory compliance. Ultimately, this role is about transforming promising ideas into approved therapies and products that improve the health and well-being of animals.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Senior Clinical Research Associate (CRA)
  • Lead Research Scientist (Veterinary)
  • Postdoctoral Fellow with significant project lead experience
  • Practicing Veterinarian with a strong research background

Advancement To:

  • Director of Clinical Research / R&D
  • Head of Veterinary Programs
  • Senior Principal Scientist
  • Vice President of Research & Development

Lateral Moves:

  • Medical Science Liaison (MSL) Manager
  • Regulatory Affairs Manager (Veterinary)
  • Clinical Operations Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Provide strategic and scientific leadership for all phases of veterinary research projects, from initial concept development through to study completion and final reporting.
  • Oversee the meticulous design, authoring, and review of complex study protocols, ensuring they are scientifically sound, operationally feasible, and aligned with regulatory expectations (e.g., FDA-CVM, EMA, VICH).
  • Manage the entire lifecycle of multiple, concurrent preclinical and clinical studies, establishing robust project plans to ensure delivery on time, within scope, and on budget.
  • Lead, mentor, and cultivate a high-performing team of veterinary researchers, scientists, and technicians, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and professional growth.
  • Develop and manage comprehensive project budgets, including forecasting resource needs, tracking expenditures, and reporting on financial performance to senior leadership.
  • Champion and enforce unwavering compliance with all relevant regulatory guidelines, including Good Clinical Practices (GCPv), Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), and all applicable animal welfare regulations (IACUC/AWB).
  • Direct the strategic selection, qualification, and initiation process for investigational sites, building and maintaining strong, collaborative relationships with principal investigators and site personnel.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact and relationship manager for external partners, including Contract Research Organizations (CROs), academic collaborators, and diagnostic laboratories, overseeing contracts and performance.
  • Develop and implement comprehensive risk management plans to proactively identify, assess, and mitigate potential risks related to study conduct, timelines, budget, and data integrity.
  • Oversee the development of data management plans and case report forms (CRFs) to ensure the collection of high-quality, accurate, and reliable study data.
  • Direct the analysis, interpretation, and summarization of complex research data, often in close collaboration with biostatisticians and other subject matter experts.
  • Author or critically review key study and regulatory documents, including informed consent forms, clinical study reports, and manuscripts intended for peer-reviewed publication.
  • Drive seamless cross-functional collaboration with internal departments such as Regulatory Affairs, Product Development, Biostatistics, and Commercial teams to ensure project alignment with broader business objectives.
  • Prepare and deliver compelling presentations on research findings, study progress, and strategic recommendations to both internal senior leadership and external scientific and regulatory bodies.
  • Manage the procurement, allocation, and maintenance of essential research supplies, equipment, and investigational veterinary product (IVP).
  • Conduct or oversee monitoring visits (co-monitoring or oversight) to ensure unwavering protocol adherence and data quality at investigational sites.
  • Maintain an expert-level understanding of emerging scientific advancements, competitive intelligence, and evolving regulatory landscapes within the animal health industry.
  • Contribute actively to the strategic planning of the company's research and development pipeline by providing expert scientific, operational, and feasibility input.
  • Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to enhance the efficiency and quality of research operations.
  • Facilitate productive team meetings, ensuring clear communication of goals, documentation of key decisions, and tracking of action items to drive project momentum.
  • Review and approve site monitoring reports, ensuring that identified issues and action items are followed up on and resolved in a timely manner.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to answer novel scientific questions.
  • Contribute to the organization's broader data and research strategy and long-term roadmap.
  • Collaborate with business units to translate data needs and clinical insights into actionable engineering and development requirements.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the broader R&D and data teams to ensure alignment and efficiency.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Veterinary Regulatory Expertise: Deep, practical knowledge of veterinary Good Clinical Practices (GCPv) and/or Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) is essential.
  • Scientific Protocol Development: Demonstrated ability to independently design, write, and implement scientifically rigorous and operationally sound study protocols.
  • Advanced Project Management: Proficiency in managing complex project timelines, budgets, and resources, often using tools like MS Project, Smartsheet, or similar platforms.
  • Regulatory Knowledge: Strong understanding of animal health regulatory pathways and requirements from agencies like the FDA-CVM, USDA, and EMA.
  • Data Analysis & Interpretation: Solid grasp of biostatistical concepts and experience interpreting data outputs. Familiarity with software like JMP, SAS, or R is a significant plus.
  • Financial Acumen: Experience developing and managing clinical study budgets and financial forecasts.
  • Clinical Trial Systems: Familiarity with Electronic Data Capture (EDC) systems, Clinical Trial Management Systems (CTMS), and eTMF systems.
  • Scientific Writing: Proven ability to author high-quality scientific documents, including clinical study reports and publications.

Soft Skills

  • Inspirational Leadership: A natural ability to lead, mentor, and motivate a team of scientific professionals, fostering a positive and productive environment.
  • Stakeholder Management: Exceptional skill in building rapport and collaborating effectively with both internal cross-functional teams and external partners (investigators, CROs).
  • Exceptional Communication: Articulate and clear communication style, capable of conveying complex scientific information to a variety of audiences, from scientists to executive leadership.
  • Strategic & Critical Thinking: The ability to see the bigger picture, anticipate future challenges, and develop proactive, creative solutions to complex problems.
  • Meticulous Organization: Superior organizational and time-management skills, with the capacity to manage multiple high-stakes projects simultaneously without sacrificing quality.
  • Adaptability & Resilience: Thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic research environment and demonstrates composure and flexibility in the face of unexpected challenges.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM/VMD) or a PhD in a relevant life science field (e.g., Animal Science, Pharmacology, Immunology).

Preferred Education:

  • A combined DVM, PhD degree is highly desirable.
  • A DVM with an advanced degree (MS or PhD).
  • A DVM with specialty board certification (e.g., ACVIM, ACVS, ACVP, ACZM).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Animal Science
  • Pharmacology / Toxicology
  • Immunology / Microbiology
  • Epidemiology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • A minimum of 5-8 years of relevant post-graduate experience in a veterinary research setting (academic, industry, or CRO).
  • This typically includes at least 2-3 years in a project leadership or direct people management role.

Preferred:

  • Direct experience in the animal health pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry is strongly preferred.
  • Proven track record of managing one or more veterinary clinical or preclinical studies from concept through to completion and final reporting.
  • Hands-on experience with multi-site, randomized, and masked clinical trials.
  • Experience managing external vendors, particularly Contract Research Organizations (CROs).
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