Director/Senior Director of Global Regulatory Affairs

Rakuten Medical Inc. - US•San Diego, CA

34d•$150,000 - $190,000

About The Position

The Director/Senior Director of Global Regulatory Affairs (GRA) will report to the Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and serve as a key leader in shaping and executing global regulatory strategies. This role will partner closely with the GRA team and cross-functional stakeholders to ensure compliance with international regulatory requirements and alignment with company objectives. The candidates major responsibilities will include the following: Regulatory Strategy & Advice: Develop and execute integrated regulatory strategies that optimize approval pathways for drug and device across all regions where clinical studies are conducted. Provide expert guidance on global regulatory requirements, life cycle management and evolving policies where RM is pursuing development and commercialization. Submission Oversight: Lead cross-functional teams to prepare high-quality regulatory submissions. Review and ensure consistency of regulatory documents with company strategy and health authority standards; manage submission strategies for all Rakuten Medical projects from early-stage (IND/CTA) through NDA/BLA and lifecycle management. Oversee planning and execution of global regulatory authority meetings, including briefing packages, strategy, positioning, and negotiations. Documentation & Compliance: Ensure compliance with all applicable global laws, regulations, and standards (eg FDA CFR, EMA guidelines, ICH, PMDA standards, EU MDR/IVDR, GCC regulations). Maintain regulatory filing and archiving systems; ensure documentation meets health authority requirements and guidance. Project Management: Develop regulatory project plans and timelines; coordinate submission team and regulatory department meetings; track goals, action items, and submission progress. Manage various regulatory vendors and contractors toward budget- and time-efficient completion of corporate goals. Proven ability to apply strong influence skills in leading cross-functional regulatory submission teams. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with teams in CMC, nonclinical, clinical development, medical writing, safety/PV, quality assurance, medical affairs, and program management to support timely and compliant submissions. Assess regulatory risk and drive mitigation strategies to support business continuity. Global Tracking: Monitor regulatory commitments, deliverables, and submission content across regions. This position spans all functional areas requiring regulatory input, including early research, CMC, device, nonclinical, clinical development and commercial. The ideal candidate will bring strong leadership, strategic thinking, and deep knowledge of global regulatory frameworks to drive successful outcomes.

Requirements

Advanced degree in Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Regulatory Affairs, or related discipline (M.S., Ph.D., or Pharm.D.).
10+ years of regulatory affairs experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
Proven track record of managing global regulatory submissions (IND/CTA, NDA/BLA, MAA) and lifecycle management.
Deep understanding of global regulatory frameworks (FDA, EMA, PMDA, and other major health authorities).
Familiarity with ICH guidelines, GCP, and evolving regulatory trends.
Expertise in regulatory strategy development and execution.
Strong document review and submission planning skills.
Proficiency with regulatory information management systems and electronic submission platforms (eCTD).
Strategic Thinking: Ability to anticipate regulatory challenges and develop proactive solutions aligned with business objectives.
Leadership & Collaboration: Skilled at leading cross-functional teams and influencing stakeholders across global regions.
Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills for health authority interactions and internal alignment.
Project Management: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines.
Problem-Solving: Analytical mindset to resolve complex regulatory issues and adapt to changing requirements.
Integrity & Compliance: Commitment to ethical standards and regulatory compliance in all activities.

Nice To Haves

Experience in oncology or biologics preferred; combination product/device experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute integrated global regulatory strategies for drug and device programs across all regions as required.
Maintain a thorough understanding of current and emerging global and regional regulations, guidance documents, and ICH standards for all application types and procedures, in all regions where the organization seeks to develop and commercialize products.
Stay informed on regulatory requirements for biologics and combination products across all regions.
Develop and manage submission strategies for all Rakuten Medical projects and planned submissions. Ensure regulatory documents are scientifically sound, consistent, and aligned with company strategy and health authority expectations.
Coordinate and oversee the planning, preparation, and delivery of regulatory submissions throughout the product lifecycle—from preclinical and IND/CTA through clinical development, NDA/BLA, and ongoing lifecycle management.
Serve as the primary interface with publishing and other regulatory vendors; review submissions for completeness and compliance with regulatory guidance and health authority expectations.
Lead implementation of new regulatory systems and develop associated processes and SOPs.
Manage regulatory project tracking tools to monitor deliverables, commitments, submission content, amendment and approval dates, and provide proactive status updates for all regions.
Act as the primary regulatory lead on assigned project teams, providing strategic input and regulatory support.
Ensure timely storage and archiving of regulatory documentation in a manner that facilitates efficient retrieval.
Conduct regulatory review of external-facing materials (e.g., manuscripts, posters) as appropriate.
Review clinical, CMC, and safety documentation to ensure regulatory compliance and completeness during authoring and finalization.
Coordinate safety reporting and collaborate with Safety/Pharmacovigilance to ensure systems are in place for efficient tracking and reporting of safety information.
Assist with onboarding new employees and manage consultants and related contracts as needed.
Contribute to continuous improvement of operational processes for regulatory submissions and document trackin.