Job opportunity: Global Regulatory Affairs Director

Job Description

Overview

The successful candidate will report to the IFRA President and lead in defending fragrance ingredients facing regulatory challenges and pressures globally, while working closely with IFRA Regional Directors to coordinate and drive actions related to global emerging and existing chemical control legislation that impacts fragrance ingredients.

The role will strengthen IFRA’s global regulatory affairs capacity, with the candidate acquiring in-depth technical expertise in fragrance ingredients and managing regulatory aspects related to chemicals.

Additionally, the candidate will help coordinate activities within the IFRA network and foster collaborations with external partner associations and other trade bodies on issues of shared interest, such as emerging global policies affecting fragrances.

Key Responsibilities

The role will focus on the following key areas:

Ingredients Defence

• Monitor and track ECHA activities to identify fragrance substances under regulatory scrutiny, ensuring timely communication with members.
• Coordinate industry input to public consultations related to the harmonised classification and labelling (CLH) process, including reviewing proposals and organising calls to collect and consolidate members’ feedback.
• Manage industry participation in ECHA RAC meetings by preparing and submitting technical input from the fragrance industry.
• Collaborate with relevant industry partner associations to prepare and advocate IFRA's regulatory positions on priority subjects.
• Facilitate pre-consortia formation to prepare derogation dossiers for fragrance ingredients in the context of the Cosmetic Products Regulation

Chemicals Control Legislation

• Collaborate with IFRA Regional teams to track and assess global regulatory developments, emerging policies, and legislative changes, providing recommendations on sectoral responses.
• Draft technical input, supported by member experts, addressing compliance and guidance on emerging or new regulations.
• Support the preparation of IFRA comments and participate in relevant meetings with regulatory authorities.

Global Collaboration

• Actively participate and represent IFRA in regional and global IFRA and partner associations’ meetings, as required, to represent fragrance industry perspectives.

Project Management and Meetings Planning

• Manage different IFRA groups including organisation, preparation and planning of calls and meetings ensuring efficient coordination for topics related to chemical control legislation and ingredients defence.
• Provide project management support for ingredients defence initiatives, ensuring proper follow-up and execution of tasks.
• Offer administrative support, including agenda setting, drafting minutes, and coordinating follow-up actions from meetings.

Core Competences

This management role requires solid expertise in regulatory affairs, with a strong focus on chemicals management. The ideal candidate will also possess a scientific or technical background to support their regulatory knowledge. The ideal candidate will have:

• Minimum of 10 years regulatory affairs expertise: Strong experience in EU chemicals management (REACH, CLP) and global regulatory knowledge.
• Project management: Proven ability to manage multiple projects and deliver results, with strong organizational and coordination skills.
• Understanding the work of trade associations in the context of complex technical and regulatory environments.
• Able to translate and explain complex technical matters to non-scientific audiences.
• Cross-disciplinary interface: Ability to navigate regulatory, scientific, and political issues effectively in an international context.
• Communication skills: Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, with full proficiency in Microsoft Office; fluency in English, other languages a plus.
• Familiar with the use of AI tools especially in the context of regulatory databases and applications.
• Strong interpersonal skills & team collaboration: Strong team player with experience in working across international and interdisciplinary teams; knowledge of fragrance/FMCG sectors is an asset.
• Preferred but not required: a background in toxicology and/or prior experience working with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) on technical matters would be considered an advantage.

More information:

Location of role: Brussels

This is a full-time position with employment governed by Belgian law.

Applications must be submitted in English. Only candidates selected for the shortlist will be contacted.

IFRA is an equal-opportunity employer and offers a competitive remuneration package. Regular European and international travel is required.

Candidates are invited to send their applications, including a cover letter to lsamekto@ifrafragrance.org.

Applications will be treated with the strictest confidence and in compliance with relevant GDPR principles.

The interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Unfortunately, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Deadline for applications is 15 August 2026.