Careers at AOAC

Based in Rockville, MD, AOAC’s dedicated national office staff provide support for AOAC’s programs and activities.

Position Posting: Senior Director, Research Institute

AOAC INTERNATIONAL is currently seeking a dynamic Senior Director to lead the Research Institute of AOAC INTERNATIONAL. The AOAC Research Institute (AOAC RI) is a key division of AOAC INTERNATIONAL that promotes and conducts activities to help develop, improve, and validate proprietary testing methods. Through its various programs, the AOAC RI assists companies and their customers in safeguarding their businesses, mitigating risk, and protecting consumers through trusted, reliable testing methods and products by providing independent third-party review and certification for proprietary test method performance.

Reporting to the Deputy Executive Director & Chief Science Officer, the new Senior Director of the AOAC RI will bring his or her creativity and business savvy to bear on the operations of the RI. He or she will cultivate new approaches and innovative ideas with an eye toward growth of the Institute. The Senior Director will:

• Engage new and established customers in business development initiatives in support of new Organizational Members/Contributing Members with new Performance Tested Methods (PTM) and other submissions,
• Maintain excellent customer relations and service with test kit companies and other AOAC Research Institute customers,
• Oversee operations of the AOAC Research Institute and guide the programs and services it administers,
• Facilitate reviews and track progress of AOAC Research Institute program submissions and projects,
• Review and validate a database of expert reviewers and laboratories eligible to serve as independent laboratories within the AOAC Research Institute programs,
• Maintain databases of method conformity assessment meetings and their output,
• Coordinate seamless discussion and facilitate actions and decisions of consensus (stakeholder) panels,
• Document processes and serve as an educational resource for standards development and method conformity assessment,
• Provide ongoing technical support to other AOAC projects as requested.

The Senior Director of the AOAC Research Institute will also bring a strong background in staff management to the AOAC Research Institute staff, comprised of a Senior Manager and a group of Technical Consultants, to:

• Ensure technical accuracy and scientific integrity of ongoing AOAC RI projects,
• Provide oversight to financial operations (invoicing and collections) of the AOAC RI,
• Track progress of AOAC Research Institute performance goals within the broader AOAC INTERNATIONAL Strategic Plan.

As the head of the Research Institute, the Senior Director supports the total organization, contributing to strategic planning, budgeting, decision-making and the overall financial health of AOAC.

The ideal candidate will possess an advanced degree in microbiology, chemistry, or other relevant field from an accredited college or university and at least 10 years of experience in the management of a science-related organization or have an equivalent combination of education and experience. He or she will also have excellent verbal and written communication skills and be comfortable presenting to large and small audiences as well as reaching out personally to engage with high-level stakeholders. The successful candidate will be familiar with food safety-related U.S. and international government and non-government organizations and possess strong project management skills.

If you feel that you have the qualifications needed to be successful as the Senior Director of the Research Institute of AOAC INTERNATIONAL and want to work in a lean, team-oriented working environment, please forward your cover letter and resume to: Jonathan J. Goodwin, Deputy Executive Director & Chief Human Resources Officer, AOAC INTERNATIONAL at: [email protected]. Preference will be given to those who apply by October 15, 2023.

Located in Rockville, Maryland, AOAC INTERNATIONAL is a globally recognized, 501(c)(3), independent, third-party, not-for-profit association and voluntary consensus standards developing organization founded in 1884. When analytical needs arise within a community or industry, AOAC INTERNATIONAL is the forum for finding appropriate science-based solutions through the development of microbiological and chemical standards. AOAC standards are used globally to promote trade and to facilitate public health and safety. AOAC INTERNATIONAL is an Equal Opportunity Employer.