Senior Director for Lead Laboratory Capacity Building Initiatives

The CDC Foundation helps the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) save and improve lives by unleashing the power of collaboration between CDC, philanthropies, corporations, organizations and individuals to protect the health, safety and security of America and the world. The CDC Foundation is the go-to nonprofit authorized by Congress to mobilize philanthropic partners and private-sector resources to support CDC’s critical health protection mission. Since 1995, the CDC Foundation has raised over $1.9 billion and launched more than 1,300 programs impacting a variety of health threats from chronic disease conditions including cardiovascular disease and cancer, to infectious diseases like rotavirus and HIV, to emergency responses, including COVID-19 and Ebola. The CDC Foundation managed hundreds of programs in the United States and in more than 90 countries last year. Visit www.cdcfoundation.org for more information.  

Position Highlights

Location: This position will work a hybrid schedule based in Atlanta, GA. Relocation expenses are not provided.

Salary Range: $145,000 - $165,000, plus benefits

Position Type: Grant funded, limited-term opportunity contingent upon funding

Position End Date: May 31, 2027

Overview

The senior director for lead laboratory capacity building leads a global initiative aimed at building and enhancing blood lead laboratory capacity in Brazil, India, Nepal, and sub-Saharan Africa. The initiative focuses on establishing systems and standards for early detection and effective monitoring of lead exposure, especially in geographies with the highest burden of lead poisoning.

With a strong commitment to the CDC Foundation’s mission, the senior director is responsible for the technical execution and global coordination of the program, with guidance from department leadership, senior advisors, partners, and global experts. The senior director will leverage expertise and experience in designing and implementing lead poisoning prevention and/or laboratory capacity building programs. This is a high-impact leadership role that requires deep technical expertise, exceptional program management skills, and strong partnership skills.

Duties and Responsibilities

· Directs and leads the design and execution of a global program to strengthen  and enhance blood lead testing laboratory systems across select low- and middle- income countries.

· Maintains mutually reinforcing partnerships spanning networks of partners including philanthropists, subject matter experts, partner organizations, team members, governmental agencies, multi-lateral agencies, policy makers and sub-awardees.

· Builds strong partnerships with ministries of health, ministries of environment, laboratory leadership and other governmental partners in focus countries and provides strategic guidance for country engagement and partnership development.

· Provides strategic technical oversight for the initiative and ensures that program standards align with established international laboratory standards.

· Leads a team that provides technical assistance to countries to develop strategies for laboratory workforce development, quality assurance, tools and standards development, and sustainability.

· Mentors and supervises program staff, including technical and programmatic team members.  

· Contributes to resource mobilization in consultation and collaboration with internal and external partners.

· Formulates program-related goals, objectives, operating policies, strategic plans, guidelines, governance, standards and priorities to ensure consistency with organization, department and office standard operating procedures.

· Represents the program and CDC Foundation at scientific, technical, policy and strategic planning meetings with internal and external partners.

·Travels domestically or internationally as needed to represent the designated programs and the CDC Foundation (up to 30 percent annually).

· Participates in and/or leads special projects and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Necessary Skills

· Doctor of Philosophy or related degree from an accredited college or university strongly preferred. Master of Public Health or Master of Science in public health, clinical laboratory science, environmental health, toxicology, or related field from an accredited college or university required.

· Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in relevant laboratory capacity building and/or lead poisoning prevention required.

· Proven and demonstrated experience in laboratory system strengthening, specifically in clinical chemistry or toxicology laboratories.

· Experience partnering with and engaging with government agencies and/or laboratories in low- and middle-income countries strongly preferred.

· Understanding and knowledge of globally accepted international laboratory standards and guidelines for blood lead testing.

· Established publication record including peer-reviewed manuscripts, conference presentations, and other technical documents.

· Knowledge and skills needed to effectively coordinate a complex network staff global partners and experts.

· Strong intercultural communication and conflict resolution skills in diverse, multilingual environments.  

· Demonstrated ability to use both consensus and directive leadership, as appropriate, to accomplish organizational, departmental and programmatic strategic and scientific objectives.

· Demonstrated success fostering an inclusive environment working with and leading professionals from diverse backgrounds and geographies.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience effectively communicating complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences and senior leaders from diverse backgrounds.

· Ability to represent the CDC Foundation and its partners, leading discussions and negotiations concerning laboratory standards and program strategy.

· Outstanding interpersonal and teamwork skills; collegial, energetic and able to develop productive relationships with colleagues, donors and partners.

· Sound judgment and maturity, exemplified by consistent professionalism in collaborating with individuals of varying levels of seniority both internally and externally.  

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, mental or physical disabilities, veteran status, and all other characteristics protected by law.

We comply with all applicable laws including E.O. 11246 and the Vietnam Era Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 governing employment practices and do not discriminate on the basis of any unlawful criteria in accordance with 41 C.F.R. §§ 60-300.5(a)(12) and 60-741.5(a)(7). As a federal government contractor, we take affirmative action on behalf of protected veterans.

The CDC Foundation is a smoke-free environment.

Relocation expenses are not included.