Associate Director - EHS Lab Safety Services

Position Summary 

The Associate Director of EHS Laboratory Safety Services provides people leadership and programmatic oversight for the University’s laboratory safety and compliance programs within the Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Department. This role has a primary focus on managing, developing, and supporting a team of EHS Lab Safety Advisors, while ensuring consistent, high-quality service delivery and regulatory compliance across Harvard’s research enterprise. 

Reporting to the Director of Laboratory Safety Services, the Associate Director is a senior EHS leader responsible for supervising staff and partnering with EHS leadership and Harvard schools to support Laboratory Safety Services and Programs across all Harvard campuses. This position plays a critical role in staff development, performance management, workload distribution, and continuous improvement of EHS laboratory safety programs, while also providing senior-level technical expertise. 

This role is eligible for flex-work arrangements in accordance with departmental policies and manager approval. 

Job-Specific Responsibilities 

People Leadership and Management  

• Directly manages, coaches, and supports a team of EHS Lab Safety Advisors within the EHS Department to ensure consistent service delivery and regulatory compliance. 

• Provides leadership, mentorship, and professional development for staff, with an emphasis on program development, technical knowledge, performance management, and continuous learning. 

• Oversees workload planning, prioritization, and coverage across assigned areas and campuses to ensure effective and responsive EHS support. 

• Leads onboarding, training, coaching, and performance evaluation processes for Lab Safety Advisors. 

• Fosters a collaborative, accountable, and service-oriented team culture aligned with EHS and University values. 

Program Oversight and EHS Leadership 

• In partnership with the Director of Laboratory Safety Services, provides oversight of EHS Laboratory Safety Programs, including program assessment, implementation, documentation, and continuous improvement. 

• Takes a lead role in identifying program gaps, assessing risks, and developing project plans to strengthen laboratory safety programs and services. 

• Oversees laboratory safety training development and implementation, ensuring requirements are clearly communicated and consistently applied. 

• Assists with planning and facilitation of lab safety team meetings, including monthly educational and professional development sessions. 

• Assures that EHS performance metrics, reports, and compliance data are regularly shared with stakeholders and executive leadership. 

Stakeholder Engagement and Service Delivery 

• Maintains strong communication and engagement with School and Departmental Environmental Safety Compliance Officers (ESCOs), Principal Investigators, Laboratory Directors, Research Operations Managers, Facilities staff, and other University partners. 

• Regularly seeks and incorporates stakeholder feedback to improve EHS service delivery and performance. 

• Coordinates service delivery with key contacts across the University’s research and laboratory community. 

• Works closely with the Lab Safety Services Team to support laboratories with hazard assessment and control strategies. 

Operational and Regulatory Responsibilities 

• Monitors completion of inspections, lab registrations, regulatory filings, and other required activities; works with Schools, EHS, and laboratories to ensure timely completion. 

• Maintains expert-level knowledge of applicable EHS regulations, standards, and trends and communicates requirements effectively to staff and clients. 

• Actively promotes a strong culture of safety through leadership, communication, and partnership. 

• Assists with management of the laboratory safety budget in collaboration with the Director of Lab Safety Services. 

Strategic Planning and Departmental Leadership 

• Assists in developing and implementing the vision and strategy for Laboratory Safety Services within the EHS Department. 

• Participates in departmental committees, strategic initiatives, and long- and short-term planning efforts aligned with the EHS mission and goals. 

Working Conditions: 

• Participates in EHS Emergency Response Program on rotating basis (estimated 6 to 7 times per year), as a cross-trained EHS staff member, will be required to carry a mobile phone and respond to emergencies during non-business hours.  

• Periodic participation on-site during off hours, holidays, and weekends may be required to support projects.  

Physical Requirements: 

• Must have sufficient mobility, dexterity, and endurance to perform emergency response activities and field visits  

• Must be capable of using personal protective equipment and monitoring equipment, be able to access any area of the University to perform designated work functions including but not limited to inspections, job safety assessments, and emergency response  

 

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in safety, industrial hygiene, chemistry, environmental science, or a related discipline. 

• Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience within an Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) organization, including laboratory safety programs. 

• Demonstrated experience formally managing and supervising professional and technical staff within an EHS or safety-focused department. 

• Proven experience leading and improving technical EHS programs. 

• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills with a collaborative, service-oriented approach. 

• Excellent organizational, time management, and prioritization skills. 

• Eligible to work in the United States. 

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Master’s degree and/or professional certification (CIH, CSP, CHMM) strongly preferred. 

• Experience working in EHS within an academic or research-intensive organization strongly preferred. 

• Demonstrated ability to lead teams through change, influence cross-functional partners, and manage competing priorities. 

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and program development skills. 

• Ability to translate strategy into execution in a decentralized, fast-paced environment. 

• Hands-on, proactive leadership style with a strong commitment to safety and service excellence. 

Certificates and Licenses:

• Professional certification (e.g., CSP, CHMM, CIH, PE, etc.) is preferred

Standard Hours/Schedule: 40 hours per week

Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position

Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal, Drug Test, CORI, References

Other Information: This position requires being on an on-call emergency rotation, and essential staff personnel.

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Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 059. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Generous paid time off including parental leave 
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one 
• Retirement plans with university contributions 
• Wellbeing and mental health resources 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement 
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.