Product Compliance Director @ Acuity

Acuity Inc. (NYSE: AYI) is a market-leading industrial technology company. We use technology to solve problems in spaces, light and more things to come. Through our two business segments, Acuity Brands Lighting (ABL) and Acuity Intelligent Spaces (AIS), we design, manufacture, and bring to market products and services that make a valuable difference in people’s lives.

We achieve growth through the development of innovative new products and services, including lighting, lighting controls, building management solutions, and an audio, video and control platform. We focus on customer outcomes and drive growth and productivity to increase market share and deliver superior returns. We look to aggressively deploy capital to grow the business and to enter attractive new verticals.

Acuity Inc. is based in Atlanta, Georgia, with operations across North America, Europe and Asia. The Company is powered by approximately 13,000 dedicated and talented associates. Visit us at www.acuityinc.com.

Job Summary

We are establishing a new Global Product Compliance function, and the Product Compliance Director will lead its creation and long-term execution. Reporting to the VP of Operations, this role ensures our Building Management System (BMS) products meet international regulatory and certification requirements while enabling business growth through proactive compliance strategies.

This role is both strategic and operational — managing certifications not only to meet market access requirements, but also to support commercial differentiation and geographic expansion. The director will work closely with Engineering, Product Management, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Corporate Legal to embed compliance into the product lifecycle and scale the function as the business grows.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

Team Leadership & Operations

Build and lead the new global compliance team; define structure, priorities, and hiring needs.
Establish team KPIs, workflows, and tools to manage certifications, documentation, and regulatory tracking.
Promote a culture of ownership, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Compliance & Certification Strategy

Ensure compliance with international Product Safety, EMC, and Radio Approval standards, as well as material, chemical, and packaging regulations (e.g., UL, CE, FCC, RoHS, REACH, TSCA, PFAS, Proposition 65, CCC, KC, BIS, PPWR).
Lead certification efforts that serve both regulatory needs and strategic growth objectives — enabling access to new regions, verticals, or customer segments.
Integrate compliance early in product development to influence design, mitigate risks and enable accurate budget planning and go-to-market feasibility.
Partner with Legal to interpret regulations, assess liability, and maintain alignment with corporate standards.

Project & Process Management

Oversee testing, certification, and technical documentation for new products, updates, and market launches.
Implement digital tools to streamline compliance tracking, version control, and audit readiness.
Track certification timelines and budgets to ensure on-time, efficient delivery.

.

Stakeholder & External Engagement

Act as primary point of contact with regulatory agencies, labs, and certification bodies.
Collaborate with product engineering and operations to resolve compliance-related technical issues.
Collaborate with internal partners, including Engineering, Product Management, Operations, Legal and Sustainability, to ensure aligned approach to overlapping compliance and certification topics.
Represent the company in relevant industry or regulatory forums.

Regulatory Intelligence

Monitor evolving global regulations and market-specific requirements. This includes staying informed on certifications and directives that may impact product compliance directly — and, over time, building-level standards (e.g., WELL, BACS, NABERS) that intersect with our systems or influence customer expectations.
Identify strategic certifications that can enhance market positioning or accelerate regional growth.
Proactively inform internal stakeholders of changes or opportunities that may impact product or business planning.

Skills and Minimum Experience Required

Education & Experience

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Regulatory Affairs, or a related technical field; advanced certification in Compliance, Quality, or Risk Management is an asset.
8+ years of experience in product compliance, regulatory affairs, or product certification — including 3+ years in a leadership role with global scope.
Proven track record of building or scaling a compliance function in a regulated, product-driven manufacturing environment.
Experience supporting geographic expansion or product strategy through market-specific certification pathways.
Industry experience in building automation, smart systems, IoT, or embedded hardware/software systems is strongly preferred.
Bilingual French and English: To serve clients and external service providers across Canada and USA.

Technical Knowledge

Deep knowledge of international certification frameworks, market access requirements, and regulatory bodies across North America, Europe, and emerging markets.
Demonstrated ability to implement compliance tools, digital systems, or process automation to improve transparency and efficiency.
Skilled at interpreting regulatory trends and advising executive teams on their strategic and operational impact.
Confident working cross-functionally with Engineering, Legal, Product, Operations, and external labs or agencies.

Key Competencies

Strategic Leadership: Builds and scales a compliance function aligned with business goals. Sets vision, drives priorities, and adapts to growth.
Execution & Ownership: Delivers results through planning, structure, and accountability. Takes ownership of outcomes.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Works effectively with Engineering, Product, Operations, Legal, and external agencies. Builds alignment and trust.
Communication: Explains complex compliance issues clearly. Tailors messages to technical and non-technical audiences.
Problem Solving: Anticipates issues and resolves them quickly. Balances risk, speed, and practicality.

Travel Requirements

10–20% domestic and international

#LI-AP1

We value diversity and are an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regards to race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, ethnicity or national origin, disability, pregnancy, religion, covered veteran status, protected genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

Accommodation for Applicants with Disabilities:  As an equal opportunity employer, Acuity Inc. is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in its application process for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans. If you have difficulty using our online system due to a disability and need an accommodation, you may contact us at (770) 922-9000.  Please clearly indicate what type of accommodation you are requesting and for what requisition. 

Any unsolicited resumes sent to Acuity Inc. from a third party, such as an Agency recruiter, including unsolicited resumes sent to an Acuity Inc. mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to Acuity Inc. employees, or to Acuity Inc. resume database will be considered Acuity Inc. property. Acuity Inc. will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume.

Acuity Inc. will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Agency free of any charges or fees. This includes any Agency that is an approved/engaged vendor but does not have the appropriate approvals to be engaged on a search.

Knowledge of French is required for positions permanently located in Quebec so incumbents can communicate with their colleagues and suppliers in Quebec as necessary. French-language training is offered to all incumbents in permanent positions in Quebec who do not have a good knowledge of French.

Product Compliance Director

Acuity

Job Summary

Key Tasks & Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

.

Skills and Minimum Experience Required

Key Competencies

Travel Requirements

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

What critics are saying

What makes Acuity unique

Your Connections

Benefits

Company News