Regional Market Compliance Manager

The Role

The Regional Market Compliance Manager is a strategic leader responsible for driving regulatory adherence and operational compliance across multiple markets within a designated region. Serves as the primary compliance contact for their assigned market, managing compliance- related communication and matters with regional leadership, Commercial General Managers (CGMs) and/or Senior Leadership.  This role ensures compliance programs, documentation, and risk management strategies are implemented effectively and aligned with enterprise objectives. In addition to overseeing compliance execution, the Regional Manager proactively partners with Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs to influence regulatory frameworks and advocate for sustainable, business-forward policies that support growth. Success in this role requires deep regulatory expertise, strong leadership, and the ability to guide cross-functional teams while balancing compliance integrity with operational agility in a highly regulated environment.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the subject matter expert on state regulations within their region; collaborates with the Market Compliance Managers (MCMs) within their region and key stakeholders to positively impact the business. 

• Develops, leads, and mentors a team of Market Compliance Managers within the designated region, ensuring alignment with corporate compliance objectives, fostering professional growth, and driving consistent execution of regulatory and market compliance strategies. 

• Accountable for ensuring that a designated primary contact for regulatory agencies within the region, where permitted, is established and effectively manages relationships, coordinates inspections, and responds to inquiries.

• Coordinates the required reporting and responses to regulators and senior leadership of major regulatory issues related to such areas as adverse events/recalls, unexpected changes to operation hours, product events/concerns and/or security.

• Develop and implement regional compliance strategies aligned with enterprise goals and regulatory requirements.

• Oversee the execution of compliance programs across retail and production operations within the region; identify compliance risks and recommend solutions that balance regulatory obligations with operational agility. 

• Ensures regulatory frameworksare established and maintained to support licensing commitments, product safety, environmental, and operational standards.

• Partners with Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs to monitor, interpret and influence regulatory developments, ensuring company objectives are incorporated into evolving rules and regulations.  

• Drive the identification, creation and optimization of policies, procedures, and compliance frameworks to support operational excellence.

• Lead risk assessments and develop corrective action plans to address compliance gaps, partnering with stakeholders to implement solutions.

• Support mergers, acquisitions, and expansion activities by completing regulatory and compliance assessments, and ensuring compliance integration during transitions.

• Lead product commercialization efforts, including but not limited to product packaging/labeling reviews and/or timely submissions to regulators; escalate process improvement opportunities to key partners.

• Collaborate on training programs to enhance compliance awareness and accountability across the region and all levels of the organization.

• Prepare and deliver compliance reports, dashboards, and key performance indicators highlighting trends, risks, and strategic recommendations for the region.

• Conduct periodic site visits to validate compliance practices and operational adherence; enforce accountability and recommend continuous improvement initiatives. 

• Enforce accountability for compliance actions and provide continuous improvement recommendations to leadership.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or advanced degree, preferred

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a compliance, operations or regulatory function in a highly regulated industry such as cannabis, pharmaceuticals, alcohol, or tobacco preferred.

• Minimum of 3 years in a leadership or managerial role overseeing compliance programs. 

• Proven ability to develop and execute strategic compliance initiatives across multiple locations.

• Strong knowledge of regulatory frameworks and experience liaising with government agencies.

• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills with internal and external stakeholders.

• Unassailable integrity and ethics.

• Demonstrated executive presence with the ability to remain poised, professional, and decisive in a high -pressure or complex situations. 

• Proven ability to assess and prioritize risk levels, make sound decisions in high pressure situations and take calculated risks to advance business objectives without over-reliance on legal or leadership guidance. 

• Demonstrated ability to lead with empathy and integrity, while fostering professional growth through mentorship and continuous learning opportunities.   

• Ability to travel up to 20%

AdditionalRequirements

• Must be a minimum of 21 years of age.

• Must possess valid driver’s license.

• Must pass all required background checks.

• Must be and remain compliant with all legal or company regulations for working in the industry; including but not limited to employee identification/badging requirements in the market they oversee.