Associate Director Regulatory Affairs – Vascular

Abbott; Westford (MA); On-site; USD 129,000 - 259,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free medical coverage

Retirement plan

Tuition reimbursement

Education benefits

Employer recognition

Job summary

Abbott is seeking an Associate Director, Regulatory Affairs to lead strategy and submissions for medical device products from our Westford, MA location. The role focuses on software-enabled medical devices, cybersecurity, AI, and life-cycle regulatory support, including leading a team and interfacing with regulatory agencies.

You will guide development teams, ensure compliance with FDA and global regulations, and drive proactive regulatory planning across the product lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent required.
• 5–7 years in regulated industry (medical products, nutritionals).
• Regulatory experience preferred; other relevant areas may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Set strategy and direct submissions for regulatory approvals and interface with agencies.
• Provide regulatory guidance to product development teams.
• Lead regulatory strategy for on‑market and sustaining activities including post‑market activities.
• Manage and develop regulatory staff and maintain knowledge of regulations and industry trends.
• Ensure regulatory data supports registrations worldwide and coordinates with executive management.

Skills

Regulatory leadership

Regulatory strategy

Team development

Education

Bachelor’s degree

MS or MBA preferred

Job description

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Working at Abbott

At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and family, be your true self and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:

• Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
• Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.
• An excellent retirement savings plan with high employer contribution
• Tuition reimbursement, Freedom 2 Save student debt program and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.
• A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
• A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as a best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.

Abbott Vascular provides innovative, minimally invasive and cost-effective products for treatment of vascular disease. Our extensive portfolio includes drug-eluting stents, bare metal stents, guide wires, balloon dilatation catheters, imaging catheters and software, vessel closure devices and peripheral stents.

The Opportunity

This Associate Director, Regulatory Affairs will work on-site at our Westford, MA location in the Vascular Division. As a manager, the function of an Associate Director, Regulatory Affairs is to combine knowledge of scientific, regulatory and business issues to enable products that are developed, manufactured or distributed to meet required legislation. Additionally, the individual will develop and supervise regulatory professionals. The individual has department level influence and is generally recognized as an expert resource both within Abbott and externally. The individual may comment on changing regulations and guidance, interface with outside regulatory agencies and trade associations and provide executive management with regulatory metrics/information. The individual will ensure that data is identified, obtained and effectively presented for the registration of products worldwide. This role will have a strong focus on regulatory support for software-enabled medical devices and on-market/sustaining activities. The ideal candidate will bring experience leading regulatory strategy across the product lifecycle, and demonstrated experience in managing and developing regulatory professionals.

What You’ll Work On

• Set strategy and direct preparation of submissions for products to regulatory agencies, and interface with agencies in order to obtain timely approval to produce and market new products.

• Provide guidance on regulatory requirements and strategies to product development project teams.

• Provide regulatory leadership and strategic input for capital equipment and software-enabled medical devices, including applicable software and electrical safety standards (e.g., IEC 60601-1), and support regulatory considerations related to cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

• Lead regulatory strategy for on-market and sustaining activities, including product changes, regulatory impact assessments, maintenance of existing registrations/approvals, and other post-market regulatory activities throughout the product lifecycle.

• Maintain expert working knowledge of laws, regulations and enforcement decisions related to Quality Assurance (QA), manufacturing and Research & Development (R&D) issues that may impact company operations and decision making; communicate such knowledge to all internal stakeholders.

• Consult with and provide advice to senior management of the Company on strategies and plans for regulatory product approvals.

• Lead, develop, and direct regulatory staff in implementing regulatory strategy, supporting on-market products, and preparing regulatory submissions.

• Remain current on developments in field(s) of expertise, regulatory requirements, as well as industry trends and train staff regarding changing regulations that affect regulatory submissions. Maintain knowledge of current and pending regulations through literature, trade journals, professional associations, and by attending conferences.

• Resolve and/or facilitate resolution of problems including identifying causes to prevent re-occurrence.

• Perform related functions and responsibilities, on occasion, as assigned.

• Hire and retain a diverse, highly qualified staff and provide ongoing performance feedback. Maintain a safe and professional work environment.

• Support all Company initiatives as identified by management and in support of Quality Management Systems (QMS), Environmental Management Systems (EMS), and other regulatory requirements.

• Comply with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and international regulations, other regulatory requirements, Company policies, operating procedures, processes, and task assignments. Maintain positive and cooperative communication.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent combination of education and work experience

• 5-7 years’ experience in a regulated industry (e.g., medical products, nutritionals).

• 5-7 years’ experience in regulatory preferred but may consider quality assurance, research and development/support, scientific affairs, operations, or related area. Note: Higher education may compensate for years of experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in science (biology, chemistry, microbiology, immunology, medical technology, pharmacy, pharmacology), math, engineering, or medical fields is preferred.

• M.S. in a technical area or M.B.A. is preferred. A Ph.D. in a technical area or law is helpful.

• Certification is a plus (such as RAC from the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society.)

• Previous experience with 510k / PMA submissions

• Regulatory Affairs experience supporting software-enabled medical devices and/or products incorporating both hardware and software.

• Experience providing regulatory support for on-market/sustaining medical device products, including product changes and lifecycle management activities.

• Previous people management experience, including leading, developing, and coaching regulatory professionals, is highly preferred.

• Experience developing and executing regulatory strategies across the product lifecycle.

• Familiarity with Predetermined Change Control Plans (PCCPs)

• Experience with Medical Devices

Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives: www.abbottbenefits.com

The base pay for this position is

$129,300.00 – $258,700.00

In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.

JOB FAMILY:

Regulatory Operations

DIVISION:

AVD Vascular

LOCATION:

United States > Massachusetts > Westford : 4 Robbins Road

ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS:

WORK SHIFT:

Standard

TRAVEL:

Yes, 10 % of the Time

MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE:

No

SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES:

Awkward/forceful/repetitive (arms above shoulder, bent wrists), Continuous sitting for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day)Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities/Women/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans. EEO is the Law link - English: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_English.pdfEEO is the Law link - Espanol: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_Spanish.pdf