Director, Regulatory Labeling

Nearly 37 million Americans are currently affected by Chronic Kidney Disease. 37 million. At Akebia we take that number very seriously and every day we come to work, with the purpose of bettering the lives of each person impacted by kidney disease and the renal community that serves them.

Our tenacious, passionate employees’ challenge the status quo and work to develop unique therapeutics that have the potential to set new standards of care for people living with kidney disease.

This is life-changing work, and we are all in, are you?

This position is currently based in our Cambridge, MA office. Please note that our offices will be relocating to Waltham, MA later this year, and this role will transition accordingly. We follow a flexible, “magnet not mandate” approach to in-office work, encouraging collaboration and onsite engagement while supporting hybrid flexibility based on role and business needs.

Job Summary

The Director, Regulatory Affairs – Labeling is a highly visible leadership role responsible for shaping & executing global labeling strategy across Akebia’s entire portfolio. This individual will serve as the enterprise expert on labeling, partnering cross-functionally to ensure that product labeling is scientifically robust, commercially aligned, and compliant with evolving global regulatory requirements.

The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker who can translate complex regulatory frameworks into clear business objectives, an effective influencer who is able to drive alignment across senior cross-functional stakeholders, be decisive and solutions-oriented, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and regulatory risk, have deep expertise in FDA labeling regulations and evolving global expectations, and be a collaborative leader who builds trust, fosters accountability, and elevates team performance

This role sits at the intersection of regulatory strategy, clinical development, and commercialization—driving labeling as a critical asset to maximize product value throughout the lifecycle, from early development through post-marketing optimization.

This role reports to the VP, Regulatory Affairs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

Define and lead global labeling strategy (USPI, CCDS, and ex-US labeling) across development and marketed products

Serve as the primary regulatory authority on labeling, advising senior leadership on risks, opportunities, and strategic positioning

Drive labeling as a core component of overall regulatory and product strategy, including differentiation and lifecycle optimization

Cross-Functional Influence

Lead cross-functional labeling teams, partnering with Clinical, Medical Affairs, Commercial, Legal, Safety, and CMC

Facilitate alignment on complex labeling decisions, balancing regulatory compliance with business objectives

Represent labeling strategy in governance forums and regulatory interactions

Labeling Development & Lifecycle Management

Oversee development, negotiation, and maintenance of USPI, CCDS, and local labeling

Spearhead labeling strategy for key milestones including INDs, NDAs/sNDAs, MAAs, and major label updates

Ensure consistency and alignment across global labeling documents

Regulatory Intelligence & Policy Leadership

Proactively monitor and interpret evolving FDA, EMA, and global labeling regulations, guidances, and enforcement trends

Translate regulatory intelligence into actionable strategies and internal guidance

Benchmark competitor labeling and identify opportunities for differentiation

Operational Excellence

Ensure efficient execution of labeling processes, including document development, review, approval, and implementation

Oversee Structured Product Labeling (SPL) submissions and compliance for U.S. requirements

Drive continuous improvement of labeling processes, systems, and governance

Ensure cross-functional teams understand downstream implications of changes to approved labeling

Vendor & System Oversight

Manage external vendors supporting labeling operations and systems

Ensure robust version control, tracking, and inspection readiness across labeling documentation

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a scientific or related discipline

~10+ years of pharmaceutical/biotech experience, including significant regulatory labeling experience for prescription products

Demonstrated experience leading labeling strategy across development and/or marketed products

Preferred

Advanced degree (MS, PharmD, PhD, JD)

Experience supporting product launches and/or major label expansions

Global labeling experience (FDA, EMA, and ICH regions)

Base Compensation for this role will depend on a number of factors including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience, and may fall outside of the range shown. Base pay is only one component of the company’s total rewards package, all regular employees are also eligible for the corporate bonus program or the incentive compensation program (if applicable), as well as equity. Additional benefits include health care, vision, dental, retirement, PTO, etc.

Targeted Base Salary

$211,083 , $260,749 USD

Are you an Akebian?

An Akebian is curious, empathetic, and values making connections to people and ideas. Akebian’s aren’t afraid of diving in and owning a process or a problem, because we all want to deliver a great solution. Akebian’s believe that we are better together because we are all working toward a common purpose – to better the life of each person impacted by kidney disease. Want to learn more about what it means to be an Akebian? Visit our website: www.akebia.com

Akebia is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all job applicants. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other factors prohibited by law.