OPT Regulatory Affairs Associate Jobs
Regulatory Affairs Associate jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with backgrounds in life sciences, chemistry, or engineering. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT extensions, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in pharma, biotech, and medical devices regularly sponsor visas for this function.
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Summary:
The Program Manager Health Plans Regulatory Affairs role is to assist in the implementation and maintenance of the CHRISTUS Health Compliance Program. This job assists the Regulatory Affairs team in the execution of established work priorities and plans, management, and monitoring of operational compliance related tasks. These tasks are to include internal auditing and monitoring activities, external audit coordination, and regulatory training and education.
Responsibilities:
- Meets expectations of the applicable OneCHRISTUS Competencies: Leader of Self, Leader of Others, or Leader of Leaders.
- Review and research laws and regulations both on a reactive and proactive basis to ensure an effective and accurate response to legal and regulatory compliance for Medicare Advantage and Health Exchange lines of business.
- Monitors Health Plan progress in resolution of issues identified through the Risk Assessment and Monitoring Work Plan and internal and external audit findings.
- Analyze and periodically report on risk-related trends to the Compliance Committee to ensure organizational awareness of potential noncompliance.
- Perform ongoing internal monitoring/audits based on risk level.
- Support implementation of consistent processes to enhance compliance within day-to-day health plan operations.
- Provide specialized education and development of materials as requested.
- Follow up with Action items necessary related to various audit requests and compliance related issues.
- Work with the regulatory affairs team to develop streamlined approaches between lines of business.
- Cross-train the regulatory affairs team on compliance related tasks to ensure operational compliance goals are met.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with regular interaction and communication with the Senior Leadership team and other associates within the organization.
- Ability to facilitate the resolution of issues and concerns that create barriers to a high-performing team and work environment.
- Ability to manage project/monitoring work plans for achieving project goals and objectives.
- Coordinates assigned projects, including monitoring projects to present to leadership and regulatory bodies.
- Serves as Project Manager on external compliance audits conducted by regulatory bodies.
- Serves as a resource in regulatory guidance for Health Exchange and Medicare Lines of Business.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Job Requirements:
Education/Skills
- Bachelor's Degree in Related Field of Study and or equivalent years of work experience required
Experience
- 4 - 6 years of related experience preferred
Licenses, Registrations, or Certifications
- None required
In accordance with the CHRISTUS Health License, Certification and Registration Verification Policy, all Associates are required to obtain the required certifications for their respective positions within the designated time frame.
Work Schedule:
8AM - 5PM Monday-Friday
Work Type:
Full Time
Description
Summary:
The Program Manager Health Plans Regulatory Affairs role is to assist in the implementation and maintenance of the CHRISTUS Health Compliance Program. This job assists the Regulatory Affairs team in the execution of established work priorities and plans, management, and monitoring of operational compliance related tasks. These tasks are to include internal auditing and monitoring activities, external audit coordination, and regulatory training and education.
Responsibilities:
- Meets expectations of the applicable OneCHRISTUS Competencies: Leader of Self, Leader of Others, or Leader of Leaders.
- Review and research laws and regulations both on a reactive and proactive basis to ensure an effective and accurate response to legal and regulatory compliance for Medicare Advantage and Health Exchange lines of business.
- Monitors Health Plan progress in resolution of issues identified through the Risk Assessment and Monitoring Work Plan and internal and external audit findings.
- Analyze and periodically report on risk-related trends to the Compliance Committee to ensure organizational awareness of potential noncompliance.
- Perform ongoing internal monitoring/audits based on risk level.
- Support implementation of consistent processes to enhance compliance within day-to-day health plan operations.
- Provide specialized education and development of materials as requested.
- Follow up with Action items necessary related to various audit requests and compliance related issues.
- Work with the regulatory affairs team to develop streamlined approaches between lines of business.
- Cross-train the regulatory affairs team on compliance related tasks to ensure operational compliance goals are met.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with regular interaction and communication with the Senior Leadership team and other associates within the organization.
- Ability to facilitate the resolution of issues and concerns that create barriers to a high-performing team and work environment.
- Ability to manage project/monitoring work plans for achieving project goals and objectives.
- Coordinates assigned projects, including monitoring projects to present to leadership and regulatory bodies.
- Serves as Project Manager on external compliance audits conducted by regulatory bodies.
- Serves as a resource in regulatory guidance for Health Exchange and Medicare Lines of Business.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Job Requirements:
Education/Skills
- Bachelor's Degree in Related Field of Study and or equivalent years of work experience required
Experience
- 4 - 6 years of related experience preferred
Licenses, Registrations, or Certifications
- None required
In accordance with the CHRISTUS Health License, Certification and Registration Verification Policy, all Associates are required to obtain the required certifications for their respective positions within the designated time frame.
Work Schedule:
8AM - 5PM Monday-Friday
Work Type:
Full Time
See all 72+ OPT Regulatory Affairs Associate Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Regulatory Affairs Associate Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Regulatory Affairs Associate
Target STEM-designated programs
Regulatory Affairs Associate roles typically fall under STEM OPT CIP codes in life sciences or engineering. Confirm your degree qualifies before applying so you can accurately represent your 36-month authorization window to employers.
Focus on regulated industries
Pharma, biotech, and medical device companies file for H-1B visa sponsorship at far higher rates than other sectors. Prioritize employers who already have regulatory teams, since those departments understand visa timelines and specialty occupation requirements for this role.
Highlight your degree field alignment
H-1B approval for regulatory roles depends on showing your degree directly relates to the job. Emphasize coursework in pharmacology, chemistry, toxicology, or biomedical engineering in your resume to establish that connection clearly.
Disclose your OPT timeline early
Regulatory hiring cycles can run three to six months. Mention your OPT end date in your first conversation so employers can plan whether sponsorship timing is feasible before investing in a lengthy interview process.
Research your employer's sponsorship history
Check whether a company has filed H-1B petitions before, specifically for regulatory titles. Companies with no prior sponsorship history often lack the internal processes needed to move quickly enough before your OPT expires.
Get your EAD card details ready
Employers need your EAD card number, start date, and expiration date for onboarding and I-9 verification. Having a clean copy of your card and your SEVIS record accessible avoids delays once an offer is extended.
Regulatory Affairs Associate OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Regulatory Affairs Associate role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If your degree falls under an approved STEM CIP code, such as biology, chemistry, or biomedical engineering, and your employer is E-Verify enrolled, you can apply for the 24-month STEM extension. Most regulatory roles at life sciences companies meet both conditions, but confirm your specific CIP code with your DSO before applying.
How do I find Regulatory Affairs Associate jobs that sponsor OPT?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and visa-sponsored job searches. Browsing Migrate Mate lets you filter for employers who have demonstrated sponsorship histories, so you're not wasting applications on companies that have never filed for a work visa. Regulatory roles in pharma and medical devices appear regularly on the platform.
Is Regulatory Affairs Associate considered a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, in most cases. USCIS has consistently approved H-1B petitions for regulatory affairs roles when the petition establishes that the position requires at minimum a bachelor's degree in a specific scientific field. The key is that your employer's job description must specify a degree requirement tied to a particular discipline, not just any bachelor's degree.
Can I start a Regulatory Affairs Associate job before my OPT EAD card arrives?
No. You cannot begin working until you have your physical EAD card in hand and the start date printed on it has passed. USCIS processing currently takes two to three months, so apply for OPT at least 90 days before your intended start date. Your DSO can provide a timeline specific to your program end date.
What happens to my OPT if I'm laid off from a Regulatory Affairs Associate position?
F-1 OPT allows up to 90 days of unemployment in total, or 150 days on an approved STEM extension. If you're laid off, that unemployment clock starts immediately. Notify your DSO right away and begin your job search. Regulatory affairs roles have consistent demand in pharma and device companies, so targeted outreach to those sectors typically yields results within the unemployment window.