Management
Regulatory Affairs Managers
Also called: CMC Director (Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls Director), Compliance Director, Global RA Director (Global Regulatory Affairs Director), Global RA Manager (Global Regulatory Affairs Manager)
US median pay
$141,900
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+4.9%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
100,900
1,338,800 employed
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
Preparation 4/5 · Considerable preparation
What this job is
Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.
What they do day to day
- Develop regulatory strategies and implementation plans for the preparation and submission of new products.
- Review all regulatory agency submission materials to ensure timeliness, accuracy, comprehensiveness, or compliance with regulatory standards.
- Direct the preparation and submission of regulatory agency applications, reports, or correspondence.
- Investigate product complaints and prepare documentation and submissions to appropriate regulatory agencies as necessary.
- Provide responses to regulatory agencies regarding product information or issues.
- Represent organizations before domestic or international regulatory agencies on major policy matters or decisions regarding company products.
- Provide regulatory guidance to departments or development project teams regarding design, development, evaluation, or marketing of products.
- Manage activities such as audits, regulatory agency inspections, or product recalls.
- Communicate regulatory information to multiple departments and ensure that information is interpreted correctly.
- Maintain current knowledge of relevant regulations, including proposed and final rules.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Systems Evaluation3.8/5
- Systems Analysis3.8/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.8/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.8/5
- Time Management3.6/5
- Coordination3.5/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.2/5
- Instructing3.2/5
Knowledge
- English Language4.6/5
- Law and Government4.0/5
- Administration and Management3.7/5
- Biology3.4/5
- Education and Training3.1/5
- Chemistry3.0/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 4 of 5 — Considerable preparation. Usually a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Bachelor's degree, plus less than 5 years of related work experience.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Bachelor's degree74%
- Master's degree13%
Who this job suits
Mostly Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.