Principal Regulatory Affairs Manager

Overview

This full-time, exempt role is remote for U.S.-based candidates. The position reports to the Director of Transparency and Regulatory Affairs and is a bargaining unit position represented by the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU).

Responsibilities

• Oversee a state and federal regulatory monitoring program, including daily review of the Federal Register and monitoring of agency rulemaking activities.
• Analyze proposed and final regulations to identify developments relevant to organizational strategic priorities.
• Advise the Program Director regarding regulatory actions, deadlines, and opportunities for organizational engagement.
• Monitor regulatory activity across multiple federal and state agencies affecting animals used in agriculture, aquaculture, research, entertainment, and puppy mills.
• Prepare concise regulatory analyses for internal stakeholders.
• Conduct data collection, verification, and analysis related to regulated animal-use industries, including research facilities, commercial breeders, exhibitors, dealers, and slaughter establishments.
• Review, organize, and analyze records obtained through FOIA and public records requests to identify trends, summarize findings, and support advocacy, policy, communications, and legal initiatives.
• Assist with special research projects by compiling, cleaning, and analyzing large datasets, using emerging technologies when appropriate, preparing summaries of findings, and developing materials for reports, presentations, publications, and advocacy efforts.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive Regulatory Tracker to support organization-wide monitoring of rulemaking activities, comment periods, and implementation timelines.
• Coordinate with program colleagues to identify opportunities for regulatory advocacy.
• Assist in drafting and submitting regulatory comments, petitions for rulemaking, requests for reconsideration, and other administrative advocacy documents.
• Stay informed on emerging and relevant regulatory trends and issues in animal welfare and recommend strategies aligned with organizational mission and goals.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, PhD in an animal-related discipline, or advanced degree in a related field.
• 5 or more years of professional experience in regulatory affairs or administrative law.
  • Professional experience in a federal agency that regulates animal industries such as animals used in agriculture, research, breeding, and/or entertainment preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of issues facing animals abused and exploited in laboratories, roadside zoos, puppy mills, or on factory farms.
• Knowledge of federal administrative law and agency rulemaking processes.
• Experience reviewing, organizing, and analyzing large datasets or document collections.
• Familiarity with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and/or public records laws.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize competing deadlines, and work independently.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with exceptional attention to detail.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence, including the ability to build positive relationships with colleagues, attorneys, donors, and external partners.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across teams, navigate differing perspectives, and foster productive working relationships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate professionally with students, faculty, attorneys, donors, and external partners.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, and experience working with databases, spreadsheets, and project management platforms.
• Understanding of and demonstrated commitment to the organization’s mission.
• Ability to travel approximately 4–5 times per year, including for staff meetings, retreats, and other events.

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual salary for most geographic locations: $115,006
• For candidates located within 25 miles of Washington D.C., Cotati, CA, and Los Angeles: $121,059
• For candidates located within 25 miles of New York City and San Francisco: $127,111

To ensure salary equity, salary is not negotiated outside the published starting rate; the rate is determined by role using set geographical factors.

Benefits include:

• Comprehensive health care, dental, life and vision benefits (100% employer paid); Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Care Account (DCA) also available
• 192 hours of PTO
• 19 paid holidays
• 1-month paid sabbatical after 5 years of continuous employment
• 16 weeks paid parental leave
• 401k plan with a maximum 5% employer contribution match after one year of employment
• Alternative work schedules (at manager’s discretion)
• One-time remote work allowance of $750
• Annual professional development reimbursement of up to $1,000

Location

Remote (U.S.-based).

Additional Information

• This is a U.S.-based position. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
• Certain terms and conditions of employment, including wages and benefits, have been negotiated with the union and are included in a collective bargaining agreement.
• The organization is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing an environment welcoming of persons from diverse backgrounds and free from unlawful discrimination and harassment, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.