Regulatory Affairs Director - Gulf

AstraZeneca; Dubai; On-site; AED 550,000 - 662,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading biopharmaceutical company is seeking a Regulatory Affairs Director for the Gulf region to provide strategic leadership, ensuring compliance throughout the product lifecycle. The successful candidate will leverage regulatory knowledge to influence approval processes and enhance submission quality. A medical or pharmacy degree and extensive regulatory experience are essential. The role offers a chance to contribute to healthcare innovation in a collaborative culture.

Benefits

Dynamic work environment

Opportunities for professional growth

Inclusive company culture

Qualifications

• 8 years of experience in Regulatory and/or pharmaceutical environment.
• Experience in regulatory drug development, manufacture, commercialization, and pricing.
• 3 years of successful people management.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational regulatory leadership.
• Ensure regulatory compliance throughout the product lifecycle.
• Engage with regulatory authorities for optimal approval processes.

Skills

Regulatory Strategy

Local Regulatory Expertise

Compliance & Ethical Standards

Submission Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Cross-functional Collaboration

Risk Management

Process Optimization

Communication

Education

Medical / Pharmacy / Life Sciences Degree

Job description

Job Title

Regulatory Affairs Director – Gulf

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialization of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. But we’re more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies.

Role Summary

As the Director of Regulatory Affairs, you provide both strategic and operational regulatory leadership throughout the development, commercialization, and life cycle management of AstraZeneca products in the Gulf markets. You leverage your knowledge of current local and global regulatory trends to anticipate future requirements and develop proactive regulatory strategies. By maintaining regular engagement with regulatory authorities, you effectively influence outcomes to facilitate optimal regulatory approval processes.

You implement initiatives to enhance the quality and efficiency of new submissions and ongoing license maintenance. Throughout the entire product lifecycle, you ensure regulatory compliance, guaranteeing the delivery of high-quality products to market. You also maintain alignment with GRP standards by keeping AZRA systems and portals consistently updated.

Additionally, you support alignment on pricing matters by collaborating with cross-functional teams, ensuring clear communication and consistency in decision-making with Gulf commercial and operations colleagues.

Key Responsibilities

• Effective lobbying and influencing with regulatory agencies and trade associations on product and legislative development issues and monitors changes in the regulatory environment in Gulf to support and advise relevant functions
• Provide strategic regulatory advice support for product developments
• Represent AZRA on relevant external Trade Association committees to ensure AZRA and / or AZ views on key issues are known
• Provide expertise, guidance, and awareness to the product teams, skill groups and global functions in support of dynamic Health Authority Regulatory requirements
• Lead and provide regulatory expertise on Gulf regulatory submissions and health authority briefings
• Ensure adequate risk assessments and mitigation plans are included in the regulatory strategy documents
• Contribute effectively to Global Development programmes, providing expert advice and interpretive inputs on market legislation and requirements that impact on new and existing product registrations
• Ensure all markets remain in compliance with product licences maintained and ensure improvement plans are in place to close compliance gaps
• Make a significant contribution to product marketing company strategy
• Works as a partner within relevant product and project teams providing regulatory intelligence and advice, and strategic input, as appropriate
• Identify global budget priorities, taking careful note of portfolio growth and business needs
• Identify potential complex regulatory risks to global and regional operational plans, and propose options to mitigate risks
• Communicate all the regulatory updates to the relevant departments to plan for the new products launches accordingly and to assess any impact to the existing products and create mitigation strategies accordingly (if necessary).
• Ensure timely & effective New Drug Application NDA submission and line extensions, License Maintenance and Documentation.

Core Competencies

Regulatory Strategy : Develops and implements effective regulatory strategies tailored to Gulf countries.

Local Regulatory Expertise : Demonstrates deep knowledge of Gulf regulatory frameworks, guidelines, and authorities.

Compliance & Ethical Standards : Ensures all activities comply with local laws, global regulations, and company policies.

Submission Management : Oversees timely and high-quality product registration, variations, and renewals.

Stakeholder Engagement : Builds strong relationships with health authorities, distributors, and internal teams.

Cross-functional Collaboration : Partners with medical, commercial, and legal teams to achieve regulatory objectives.

Risk Management : Identifies and proactively addresses regulatory risks in new and existing products.

Process Optimization : Drives continuous improvement in regulatory processes and documentation standards.

Communication : Provides clear guidance and regulatory updates to internal and external stakeholders.

Essential for the role

Medical / Pharmacy / life sciences degree

8 yrs of experience in Regulatory and / or pharmaceutical environment with experience of regulatory drug development, manufacture, commercialization and pricing

3 years of successful people management

Solid understanding of Pharmacoeconomics modelling

Regulatory & Pricing Strategy Development

Regulatory Submissions & Approval Management

Regulatory & Pricing Environment Insight

Pharmacovigilance Excellence

Patient Benefit / Risk Assessment

Quality Management

Business Relationship Management

Change Enablement

Desirable for the role

Broad background of experience of working in several groups in regulatory affairs or experience at a health authority.

Significant Regulatory Experience across global projects and regions

Strong commercial awareness

Problem solving skills

Develops collaborative working relationships

Proactively Innovate and Adapt

Process Management & Continuous Improvement

Supplier / Partnership Management

Audits & Inspections Knowledge

Why AstraZeneca?

At AstraZeneca we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients, and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration, and always committed to lifelong learning, growth, and development. We’re on an exciting journey to pioneer the future of healthcare.

So, what’s next?

• Are you already imagining yourself joining our team? Good, because we can’t wait to hear from you.
• Are you ready to bring new ideas and fresh thinking to the table? Brilliant! We have one seat available, and we hope it’s yours.

Where can I find out more?

Our Social Media, Follow AstraZeneca on

Follow AstraZeneca on

Follow AstraZeneca on

Date Posted

19-Sep-2025

Closing Date

25-Sep-2025