Lab Safety Manager
William & Mary seeks an experienced safety professional to serve as Lab Safety Manager (LSM), someone with sound judgment, a calm and credible presence, and a strong work ethic. The LSM will lead the university’s laboratory safety program, building trust and influence across diverse campus constituencies while fostering a culture where safety is seen as a shared value that enables, rather than hinders, teaching and research.
The Lab Safety Manager (LSM) is an on-site position supporting academic and research operations by providing expert safety guidance and program oversight to ensure regulatory compliance and safe laboratory environments. Reporting to the Director of Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S), the LSM collaborates with faculty, researchers, staff, and students to own, manage and continuously improve programs in lab, biological, chemical, radiation, and laser safety. The LSM supervises the EH&S Specialist dedicated to lab safety programs.
Reporting to Teresa Belback, the Director of Environmental Health and Science, the LSM supports personnel working in or affecting educational and research laboratories, providing safety services, leadership, and compliance oversight with assistance from the EH&S Specialist and as needed, the broader EH&S Office. The LSM also supports the Institutional Review Board (IRB), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), and other safety committees by participating as a committee member, reviewing protocols, providing periodic inspections, offering technical safety expertise, reporting and investigating any significant research related accidents or illnesses, and assisting with related medical surveillance programs.
The LSM also serves as the institution’s Biological Safety Officer and Laser Safety Officer, meeting compliance requirements associated with duties designated by the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules and the American National Standards Institute, NIH Laser Safety Program, and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z136.1 and Z136.5 standards. The LSM will coordinate with institutional safety partners to support effective, consistent safety and compliance programs throughout campus.
This role requires a bachelor's degree in a science or health and safety field, at least 8 years of leading safety programs (including 5 in biological safety), and in-depth knowledge of OSHA, EPA, NIH, CDC, and ANSI regulations. Candidates also need strong communication, organizational, and analytical skills, proficiency with Microsoft Office and safety management software, and must complete OSHA 30-hour, RCRA, DOT hazmat shipping, and 40-hour HAZWOPER training within a year of hire if not already certified. Preferred candidates will hold a master's degree, a professional safety certification (such as CSP, CIH, CHMM, or RBP), and experience in higher education or research settings, including radiation and laser safety programs.
More information about the position can be found here.
To Apply
William & Mary has retained Opus Partners to support this recruitment. Kenna Boyd, Partner and Jeffrey Stafford, Senior Associate, are leading the search.
To apply, candidates should provide a CV/resume and a letter of introduction that addresses the specific responsibilities, expectations, and qualifications described above. Submit applications, confidential inquiries, and nominations by email to Jeffrey Stafford at [email protected]. Please consult Opus Partners for more information about the application process.
