Regulatory Affairs Director Salary

All businesses must operate within parameters established by internal regulations and relevant laws. Some businesses, such as food production and medicine, are governed by more (and stricter) laws; for these organizations, it is especially important to ensure regulations are constantly and consistently followed. The director of regulatory affairs directs their organization's development of internal regulatory policies, and they monitor internal practices to ensure all of the organization's operations remain in compliance with government regulations. The director also work with regulatory agencies, as required, to address concerns. Additionally, most companies have a regulatory affairs committee, which the director of regulatory affairs coordinates.

As non-compliance with laws and regulations may lead to significant problems for a company, the director of regulatory affairs must pay close attention to detail and possess the managerial talents to coordinate regulatory team members. The director of regulatory affairs must have a strong working knowledge of all regulations and laws relevant to the company's industry, and they must remain up to date on developments that may alter or add to existing rules. The position may require significant amounts of travel, depending on the size of the business and interaction with regulatory agencies.

A bachelor's degree in a field relevant to the business is generally required for this position, as is experience in that field (preferably in a regulatory capacity). Many regulatory directors hold a master's degree or higher as well. The director of regulatory affairs must continue their education after hiring to ensure current understanding of the regulations governing their industry. (Copyright 2017 PayScale.com)

Regulatory Affairs Director Tasks

• Provide appropriate communication and guidance to management and other internal functional areas responsible for submitting required regulatory documentation.
• Develop company regulatory strategy.
• Advise the company on the regulatory aspects and climate that would affect proposed activities.
• Serve as primary regulatory representative responsible for facilitating all regulatory agency interactions.

For Regulatory Affairs Directors, busy San Francisco offers a higher-than-average pay rate, 48 percent above the national average. Regulatory Affairs Directors can also look forward to large paychecks in cities like Irvine (+26 percent), Minneapolis (+23 percent), Houston (+23 percent), and San Diego (+19 percent). Those in the field find the lowest salaries in Los Angeles, 17 percent below the national average. Workers in Dallas and Washington earn salaries that trail the national average for those in this profession (17 percent less and 6 percent less, respectively).