Global Director of Regulatory

Global Director of Regulatory

Kayali · Dubai, United Arab Emirates · — · Posted 2026-09-15

Workplace: on_site

Department: Product Development

Description

Who We Are

Fueled by passion, KAYALI was founded in 2018 by beauty mogul and fragrance fanatic, Mona Kattan. Translating to ‘my imagination’ in Arabic, KAYALI provides a modern fragrance experience inspired by Mona’s rich Middle Eastern heritage and the art of layering scents to help you create your mood; where sharing scents is a ritual and smelling good is both an act of goodwill and self-love. Mona collaborates with some of the world’s most renowned perfumers and sources the finest ingredients to create unique juices that are infinitely memorable, long-lasting, and cruelty-free. Each luxurious fragrance is an ode to true craftsmanship and tells a special story, from the addictive notes to the multi-faceted jeweled bottles. 

Our Mission

To make everyone feel like the diamond they are! To build a global community of fragrance lovers through the power of scent and by providing them with the most innovative & luxurious fragrances, education and sharing our Middle Eastern fragrance rituals with the world.

Summary

We are seeking an experienced Global Director of Regulatory to lead the regulatory strategy for KAYALI’s

global lifestyle business. This is a critical leadership role, responsible for ensuring our products are

compliant, safe, and ready to launch across international markets while enabling the continued growth of

the brand. The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise with commercial understanding and a

collaborative leadership style. You will be a trusted partner to Product Development, Legal, Compliance, Supply Chain, Marketing, Commercial, and regional teams, translating complex regulatory requirements into clear, practical solutions. You will build the regulatory frameworks, systems, and capabilities needed to support KAYALI’s expanding global footprint and breadth of categories, anticipate emerging risks, and ensure regulatory excellence throughout the product lifecycle. This is an opportunity to shape a function that protects the brand while helping our teams create magic around the world.

Key Responsibilities

Global Regulatory Strategy & Leadership

• Define and lead KAYALI’s global regulatory strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives, product innovation, and international expansion plans.
• Own regulatory compliance across all markets in which KAYALI operates or plans to launch, ensuring adherence to applicable local and international requirements.
• Act as the senior regulatory advisor to leadership, providing clear guidance on regulatory risks, opportunities, and business implications.
• Develop scalable regulatory frameworks, policies, and governance processes to support a growing global portfolio beyond fragrance, inclusive all beauty categories, merchandise, accessories, and lifestyle products.
• Anticipate regulatory challenges and proactively develop mitigation strategies that protect product launches, business continuity, and brand reputation.

Ingredient, Formula & Product Compliance

• Oversee ingredient usage, formula compliance, and product registration requirements across global markets.
• Partner closely with R&D, Product Development, external fragrance houses, and formula contract manufacturers to ensure formulas meet applicable regulatory requirements.
• Provide expert guidance on ingredient restrictions, prohibited substances, concentration limits, and evolving regulatory standards.
• Ensure regulatory requirements are considered early in the innovation and product development process to minimize risk and avoid launch delays.
• Oversee the review and approval of product claims, labelling, packaging, and supporting documentation to ensure compliance with relevant market requirements.

Sustainability Compliance

·       Lead KAYALI’s readiness and ongoing compliance with evolving European packaging and environmental legislation.

·       Understanding of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR),  the California’s Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act (SB54), the Recyclability Assessment Methodology UK (RAM) and the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), alongside applicable Extended Producer Responsibility requirements and future environmental compliance obligations.

·       Own the end-to-end PPWR, RAM, SB54 and EUDR compliance programs, from regulatory interpretation and gap assessment through implementation, evidence management, and ongoing monitoring.

·       Monitor European packaging, sustainability, and environmental regulatory developments and translate them into clear business requirements, timelines, decision points, and accountable owners.

·       Serve as an internal subject matter expert and project owner, translating regulatory requirements into practical actions across Packaging Development, Product Development, Procurement, Operations, Supply Chain, and Sustainability.

Product Launches & Market Expansion

• Lead regulatory readiness for new product launches, reformulations, and market entries.
• Partner with Commercial, Supply Chain, Marketing, and regional teams to ensure products are compliant and ready for distribution across all intended markets.
• Establish clear regulatory timelines, requirements, and decision-making processes within the global launch calendar.
• Identify market-specific regulatory requirements and provide practical recommendations to support international growth.
• Ensure regulatory risks, dependencies, and approvals are communicated clearly to stakeholders throughout the launch process.

Regulatory Intelligence & Risk Management

• Active horizon scanning, monitor and assess emerging legislation, regulatory trends, and industry developments that may impact KAYALI’s products or operations.
• Translate regulatory changes into actionable business recommendations and implementation plans.
• Maintain oversight of regulatory risks across the product portfolio and ensure appropriate corrective or preventive actions are taken.
• Lead responses to regulatory inquiries, authority requests, and compliance-related matters, working with internal and external stakeholders as required.
• Represent KAYALI in relevant industry associations, regulatory forums, and external discussions where appropriate.

Systems, Processes & Operational Excellence

• Build and maintain robust regulatory databases, documentation, and compliance management systems.
• Establish consistent processes for ingredient assessments, formula reviews, product registrations, and regulatory approvals.
• Ensure regulatory information is accurate, accessible, and effectively maintained across the business.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, visibility, and accountability through better systems and cross-functional ways of working.
• Define and monitor regulatory KPIs, including launch readiness, compliance performance, and regulatory risk management.

People Leadership & Cross-Functional Partnership

• Lead, develop, and mentor the regulatory team, building the capabilities required to support KAYALI’s global ambitions.
• Foster a culture of technical excellence, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Build strong relationships across internal functions, external partners, fragrance houses, and regulatory stakeholders.
• Translate complex regulatory topics into clear, commercially relevant guidance for non-technical teams.
• Champion regulatory awareness across the business through training, knowledge sharing, and proactive engagement.

Requirements

·       Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Pharmacy, Cosmetic Science, Toxicology, or a related scientific discipline; an advanced degree is preferred.

·       10–15+ years of progressive experience in regulatory, ideally within fragrance, beauty, cosmetics, or related consumer goods industries.

·       Significant experience leading regulatory strategy across multiple international markets.

·       Deep knowledge of fragrance and cosmetic regulatory requirements, ingredient compliance, product registration, and relevant industry standards.

·       Strong understanding of formula development processes and the regulatory implications of ingredient selection and product claims.

·       Demonstrated experience supporting global product launches and market expansion.

·       Proven ability to build regulatory processes, systems, and governance within a growing or complex business.

·       Experience leading and developing teams, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders across functions.

·       Strong commercial judgment, problem-solving skills, and the ability to balance regulatory requirements with business priorities.

·       Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; additional languages such as Arabic or French are an advantage.

Benefits

Our Benefits & Perks:

•  Premium Medical/Dental/Vision coverage

•  Find your Magic Days

•  Volunteer Day

•  Birthday Leave

•  Employee discounts on all KAYALI products

•  Quarterly product gifting

KAYALI is committed to building diverse and inclusive teams and upholding an equal employment workplace that is free from discrimination. We hire stellar individuals regardless of their race, color, ancestry, religion, gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, medical conditions, disability, or veteran status. If you need reasonable accommodations at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know.

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