Senior Analyst - Regulatory Affairs at Circular Action Alliance – Remote

Role Overview

The Senior Regulatory Compliance Analyst is a key member of the National Program Operations Team and report to the Director of EPR Regulatory Compliance. This role provides senior-level regulatory and technical expertise to support the implementation and ongoing operation of extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs across multiple states where CAA serves as the approved Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO).

The Senior Analyst plays a leadership role in statutory and regulatory interpretation, development of national compliance frameworks, and cross-team regulatory alignment. This position leads the development of producer guidance, reporting category definitions, and interpretive memoranda, and serves as a subject-matter expert on regulatory affairs, material exemptions, and compliance risk.

This role works closely with Compliance & Regulatory Analysis, Producer Services, Data and Analytics, Materials Management, and Legal to ensure consistent application of regulatory requirements and to support national harmonization initiatives that reduce administrative burden for producers while maintaining regulatory integrity.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead complex regulatory analysis including statutory and regulatory interpretation of product exemptions, exclusions, and alternative compliance pathways across multiple EPR jurisdictions.
• Monitor, assess, and synthesize regulatory developments at the state and national level, translating changes into clear compliance implications, internal guidance, and updates to reporting requirements.
• Own the development, maintenance, and evolution of material reporting categories, including authoritative definitions, decision logic, examples, and producer-facing guidance, ensuring consistency and defensibility across states.
• Evaluate state-specific reporting requirements and proactively align them to CAA’s national reporting framework, identifying risks, deviations, and harmonization opportunities.
• Supporting program launch readiness for new EPR states, including development of reporting categories, interpretive materials, and implementation guidance aligned with statutory intent and operational feasibility.
• Develop and steward producer guidance and interpretive memoranda related regulatory affairs, exemptions, and reporting expectations, serving as a technical subject-matter expert for internal team and external stakeholders.
• Design, enhance, and apply tools and methodologiesto support producer compliance reviews, including:
  • Develop analytical tools to evaluate exemption applicability and compliance risk.
  • Identify, analyze, and escalate trends related to under-reporting, over-reporting, and misclassification.
  • Lead producer reporting reviews to assess completeness, accuracy, and alignment with regulatory requirements.
• Provide expert recommendations to internal teams on end-of-life material management, recyclability considerations, and design-for-recycling principles to support program integrity and policy objectives.
• Represent CAA in regulatory, industry, and technical forums, contributing to external discussions on sustainable packaging, materials management, and EPR policy implementation.
• Serve as a trusted cross-functional advisor, collaborating closely with:
  • Producer Services to support complex regulatory interpretations and producer inquiries.
  • Materials Management / Materials Services to inform material definitions, source reduction, compositional analysis, and recyclability considerations.
  • Data & Analytics to support fee-setting methodologies, eco-modulation criteria, and data quality standards.
• Perform other related duties as assigned, consistent with the scope and expectations of a senior regulatory analyst role.

Skills & Competencies

• Demonstrated ability to analyze and interpret complex regulatory and policy frameworks and translate them into clear, actionable guidance.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to draft technical guidance, interpretive memoranda, and executive-ready summaries.
• Proven ability to work independently and exercise sound judgement, while collaborating effectively across technical, operation, and policy-focused teams.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple regulatory workstreams in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with data management tools.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple tasks.

Qualifications

• Required Bachelor’s degree (preferably in public policy, sustainability, environmental science, materials science, or a related discipline).
• Required at least 4+ years of regulatory compliance, government relations, policy analysis, or operational experience in EPR program implementation or related fields.
• Strong knowledge of the packaging regulatory landscape, including labeling, transportation, and trade regulations.
• Experience with statutory and regulatory interpretation, compliance analysis, and technical guidance.
• Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to summarize and communicate findings effectively.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a valid Driver's License with clean driving history.

Compensation & Other Information

• Location: Initially Fully Remote with potential for in-person
• Pay Rate: Based on a variety of factors in accordance with applicable law including the successful candidate’s relevant experience, skills, knowledge and experience.
• Reports To: Director of EPR Regulatory Compliance

Circular Action Alliance is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), national origin, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you require accommodation as part of the application process, please contact careers@circularaction.org listed below.