The Director, Regulatory Affairs provides leadership and strategic direction for the company’s regulatory affairs function. This role is accountable for shaping global regulatory strategies across multiple portfolios, ensuring compliance with international regulations, and representing the company with regulatory agencies and industry organizations. The Director drives innovation and operational excellence in regulatory processes, develops future regulatory leaders, and plays a critical role in shaping portfolio and enterprise decision-making.
This is a hybrid role based in Washington, D.C. Our current flexible work arrangement policy requires that a minimum of 40%, or 16 hours, of your total work week be on-site. Your specific schedule, determined in collaboration with your manager, will align with the team and business needs and could exceed the 40% requirement for the site.
Responsibilities:
Define and lead global regulatory strategies for multiple therapeutic areas, product lines, or technology platforms.
Serve as the company’s senior regulatory representative in global interactions with health authorities, policymakers, and industry forums.
Lead, inspire, and develop a high-performing regulatory affairs team, including senior managers and associate directors.
Provide oversight for regulatory submissions, approvals, and lifecycle management across global markets.
Partner with senior executives and cross-functional leaders to integrate regulatory perspectives into corporate strategy, portfolio prioritization, and business development.
Anticipate and interpret emerging global regulatory trends, policies, and requirements; shape company strategy and external policy engagement accordingly.
Ensure compliance with all applicable global regulatory requirements and readiness for audits, inspections, and authority reviews.
Oversee regulatory contributions to labeling, advertising, and promotional compliance at a global level.
Drive regulatory innovation, digital transformation, and process improvements to enhance efficiency, quality, and compliance.
Mentor, coach, and sponsor regulatory leaders, fostering career growth and building a strong succession pipeline.
Taking on additional responsibilities.
Participating in cross functional projects and initiatives.
Adapting to new technologies, processes, or methodologies.
Supporting other departments or teams during periods of high demand.
Contributing to special projects or temporary assignments as needed.
Adaptability and Growth Expectation
As our organization continues to evolve and grow, this role may require flexibility in responsibilities and duties. Employees should expect that their role may expand, shift, or be modified to meet changing business needs, strategic priorities, and organizational objectives.
This may include:
These job duties are a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at the company's discretion.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Engineering, or related field.
15+ years of relevant regulatory affairs or related industry experience; Master’s degree with 13+ years, or PhD with 10+ years.
Demonstrated success leading regulatory strategy across multiple portfolios and therapeutic areas.
Extensive experience interacting with global regulatory authorities, including FDA, EMA, and other agencies.
Proven track record of developing and leading high-performing teams.
Demonstrated level of knowledge regarding applicable regulatory standards commensurate with the position's complexity and scope, contributing to organizational regulatory compliance. Minimal applicable standards for this position include:
GMP quality management systems (e.g. ISO 13485)
Risk assessment frameworks (e.g. ISO 14971)
Clinical laboratory regulations (e.g. CAP, CLIA, NYSDOH, ISO 15189)
Protected health information (e.g. HIPAA, GDPR)
Regulatory submission of medical devices (e.g. IVDD, IVDR, FDA 21 CFR, UK MDR 2002)
Development and Operations within a regulated clinical study environment (e.g. ICH E6 (GCP), ISO 20916, FDA 21 CFR Part 11, Part 50, Part 54, Part 56)
Preferred Qualifications:
Recognized regulatory expert with broad and deep knowledge of U.S., EU, and global regulatory frameworks.
Exceptional leadership skills, with the ability to inspire, align, and influence at all organizational levels.
Strong strategic foresight with the ability to anticipate regulatory and policy shifts and align company direction.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and executive presentation skills.
Proven ability to lead complex programs and drive portfolio-level decision-making.
Advanced proficiency with regulatory systems, submission tools (e.g., eCTD), and enterprise compliance platforms.
Commitment to developing talent and building long-term organizational capability.
Physical Demands and Working Environment:
Executive-level role with broad global scope and high visibility.
Requires availability across time zones and flexibility to meet international submission and authority deadlines.
Work involves frequent interaction with global health authorities, senior executives, and industry leaders.
Frequent domestic and international travel required for regulatory meetings, conferences, and leadership engagements.
This role may be eligible for other forms of compensation, including an annual bonus and/or incentives, subject to the terms of the applicable plans and Company discretion. This range reflects a good-faith estimate of the range that the Company reasonably expects to pay for the position upon hire; the actual compensation offered may vary depending on factors such as the candidate’s qualifications. Employees in this role are also eligible for GRAIL’s comprehensive and competitive benefits package, offered in accordance with our applicable plans and policies. This package currently includes flexible time-off or vacation; a 401(k) retirement plan with employer match; medical, dental, and vision coverage; and carefully selected mindfulness programs.
GRAIL is an equal employment opportunity employer, and we are committed to building a workplace where every individual can thrive, contribute, and grow. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, , or any other class or characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, and local laws. Additionally, GRAIL will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in a manner consistent with applicable law and provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please contact us at [email protected] if you require an accommodation to apply for an open position.
GRAIL maintains a drug-free workplace. We welcome job-seekers from all backgrounds to join us!
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Engineering, or related field
- 15+ years of relevant regulatory affairs or related industry experience (Master's with 13+ years or PhD with 10+ years)
- Demonstrated success leading regulatory strategy across multiple portfolios and therapeutic areas
- Extensive experience interacting with global regulatory authorities, including FDA and EMA
- Proven track record of developing and leading high-performing teams
- Knowledge of GMP quality management systems (e.g., ISO 13485)
- Knowledge of risk assessment frameworks (e.g., ISO 14971)
- Knowledge of clinical laboratory regulations (e.g., CAP, CLIA, NYSDOH, ISO 15189)
- Knowledge of protected health information requirements (e.g., HIPAA, GDPR)
- Knowledge of regulatory submission requirements for medical devices and diagnostics (e.g., IVDD, IVDR, FDA 21 CFR, UK MDR 2002)
- Experience with development and operations in regulated clinical study environments (e.g., ICH E6 GCP, ISO 20916, FDA 21 CFR Part 11/Part 50/Part 54/Part 56)
- Recognized regulatory expert with broad knowledge of U.S., EU, and global regulatory frameworks
- Exceptional leadership, executive communication, negotiation, and presentation skills
- Proven ability to lead complex programs and drive portfolio-level decision-making
- Advanced proficiency with regulatory systems and submission tools (e.g., eCTD) and enterprise compliance platforms
- Commitment to developing talent and building long-term organizational capability
GRAIL Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Multiple medical plan options, comprehensive medical/dental/vision coverage, and strong mental health programs are described, with employer HSA contributions up to $3,000 for the HDHP. These elements indicate a well‑rounded health offering.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Flexible time off is highlighted, with examples of unlimited/FTO policies working well in practice. Paid holidays and company winter breaks further support time away from work.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — New‑hire equity grants that vest over four years and a discounted Employee Stock Purchase Plan are positioned as meaningful parts of total compensation. Ongoing eligibility for additional equity is also noted.
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What We Do
GRAIL is a healthcare company whose mission is to detect cancer early, when it can be cured. GRAIL is using the power of high-intensity sequencing, population-scale clinical studies, and state-of-the-art computer science and data science to enhance the scientific understanding of cancer biology, and to develop and commercialize pioneering products.
Why Work With Us
Everything we do is guided by our mission to detect cancer early, when it can be cured. It’s the reason we’re here, and it’s no small task. The right people make all the difference. That’s why we’re looking for those who strive to share their knowledge, contribute their skills, inspire each other and commit to something bigger than themselves.
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GRAIL Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
GRAIL has a variety of work types depending on the roles. Some roles are onsite like a lab role, some are fully remote like our Galleri Sales Consultant roles. Others are hybrid with 2-3 days onsite. Typically Tuesday and Thursday.








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