Head of Regulatory Affairs (m/f/d)

l & m executive search & consulting gmbh; Wien; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

l&m I executive search & consulting is seeking a Head of Regulatory Affairs to lead the Group’s Regulatory Affairs and Product Stewardship, serving as the central authority on product compliance across Central and Eastern Europe.

You will translate a dynamic regulatory landscape into pragmatic guidance, protect the Group while enabling compliant products to reach the market, and build a scalable centre of expertise.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant scientific discipline; regulatory qualification is a plus.
• 8–15 years in Regulatory Affairs, Product Safety or related field.
• Experience leading a Regulatory Affairs team in an international setting.
• Strong knowledge of EU and international regulatory frameworks.
• Proven ability to translate regulation into pragmatic guidance.

Responsibilities

• Lead Regulatory Affairs and Product Stewardship across the Group.
• Monitor regulatory developments and provide risk-based guidance.
• Develop group-wide standards and governance for compliance.
• Manage regulatory risks with a forward-looking register and roadmap.
• Advise R&D, Quality, Procurement, Operations, HSE, Sales and Legal.
• Guide products through lifecycle with compliance from development to changes.
• Ensure documentation and evidence of compliance and necessary declarations.
• Coordinate cross-functional implementation of new regulatory requirements.
• Serve as regulatory interface for customers, suppliers and authorities.
• Represent the Group to authorities, industry bodies and associations.
• Lead and develop the Regulatory Affairs team and set decision rights.
• Report regulatory developments and risks to management with strategic recommendations.

Skills

Regulatory leadership

European regulatory frameworks

Stakeholder management

Regulatory risk assessment

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory strategy

Education

Master’s degree in Chemistry or related field

Regulatory qualification (advantage)

Tools

Regulatory documentation tools

Compliance management systems

Job description

l&m I executive search & consulting is one of Austria’s leading executive search and consulting boutiques, specializing in Legal, Tax, Compliance & HR. We are currently supporting an internationally operating company in the Vienna South business region in the search for an experienced and accomplished professional to take on a key role in its international regulatory function as

Head of Regulatory Affairs (m/f/d)

In this responsible position you´ll lead the Group’s Regulatory Affairs and Product Stewardship function and act as the Group’s central authority on product compliance in Central and Eastern Europe.

Translate a fast-moving and increasingly restrictive regulatory landscape into clear, risk-based guidance that protects the Group while enabling compliant and sustainable products to reach the market.

Your Responsibilities

• Lead the Group-wide Regulatory Affairs and Product Stewardship function and act as the central point of contact for product-related regulatory matters across the Group.
• Monitor, assess and interpret relevant European and international regulatory developments and translate them into clear, pragmatic and risk-based guidance for the business.
• Establish and continuously develop Group-wide standards, processes and governance structures to ensure regulatory compliance across products, markets and subsidiaries.
• Identify, assess and manage regulatory risks, emerging requirements and substances or topics of concern, maintaining a forward-looking regulatory risk register and roadmap.
• Advise R&D, Quality, Procurement, Operations, HSE, Sales and Legal on regulatory requirements and their practical implications for products, processes and business activities.
• Provide regulatory guidance throughout the product lifecycle, from development and market introduction to ongoing compliance, changes in legislation and product modifications.
• Ensure robust documentation and evidence of compliance and oversee relevant assessments, testing, declarations and other regulatory documentation.
• Lead the assessment and implementation of new regulatory requirements, including the coordination of cross-functional activities and the development of appropriate transition and implementation strategies.
• Act as a key regulatory interface for customers, suppliers and other external stakeholders, ensuring consistent, well-founded and timely responses to regulatory enquiries.
• Represent the Group vis-à-vis competent authorities, industry associations and other relevant external bodies and contribute to the development of industry positions on key regulatory matters.
• Lead and further develop the Regulatory Affairs team, establish clear responsibilities and decision-making processes, and build a scalable centre of expertise for the Group.
• Report on regulatory developments, compliance status and material risks to Group management and provide recommendations on strategic and operational regulatory matters.

Your competences

• Master’s degree in Chemistry, Technology, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or a related scientific discipline; a legal or regulatory qualification is an advantage.
• Between 8–15 years of professional experience in Regulatory Affairs, Product Safety as well as Product Complianc or a closely related field, combined with experience in leading and developing a motivated team of Regulatory Affairs Experts who act as valuable partners to the sales organization.
• Strong knowledge of European and international regulatory frameworks, with a sound understanding of product compliance, chemicals legislation and sustainability-related requirements.
• Solid experience with compliance management systems, regulatory documentation, risk assessments, testing requirements and supply-chain compliance.
• Several years of experience in Regulatory Affairs, Product Stewardship, Product Compliance, Product Safety or a closely related field, ideally gained within an international manufacturing company.
• Proven track record in monitoring regulatory developments, assessing their business impact and translating complex requirements into practical, risk-based recommendations.
• Experience working across multiple countries, business units or sites within an international group, ideally including responsibility for cross-functional regulatory projects.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to influence and advise senior management as well as technical, commercial and operational functions.
• Authoritative yet pragmatic approach, combining sound regulatory judgement with commercial awareness and a clear understanding of business priorities.
• Excellent communication skills and the confidence to represent the company in discussions with authorities, customers, suppliers, industry associations and other external stakeholders.
• Fluent English is essential; excellent German and/or additional European languages are an advantage. Willingness to travel to the international subsidiaries is expected.

What Our Client Offers

Our client offers a versatile and responsible international management role with a broad range of responsibilities and a strong international focus. You will take on a key position within an internationally operating organization and work at the interface of Legal, Sustainability and the business, providing strategic and operational guidance on a wide range of regulatory and sustainability-related matters.

The position offers considerable scope for personal initiative and the opportunity to contribute your expertise to the further development of processes, structures and standards across the organization. You will work closely with a variety of internal / external stakeholders and have the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues and business functions across different countries and markets.

You can expect a dynamic and professional working environment, flat decision-making structures and a high degree of autonomy. The role combines strategic responsibility with hands‑on involvement and offers the opportunity to make a visible contribution to the organization’s continued development and international growth. In addition, our client offers a modern working environment, attractive development opportunities and a collaborative corporate culture in which professional expertise, entrepreneurial thinking and personal initiative are valued. The annual gross salary for this position starts at EUR 100,000. Depending on your qualifications and professional experience, there is, of course, a willingness to offer a higher salary.