Dennis Partners conducted our latest survey on Regulatory Career Motivations during the week of February 23, 2025. Since the start of The Great Resignation in 2021, employees have continued to reassess their careers, with remote work, compensation, and company culture playing pivotal roles in job decisions. To understand how Regulatory Affairs professionals feel about their jobs in 2025, we surveyed a sample of professionals in the biotech, pharmaceutical, and diagnostic industries. Here is what we found.

Are you considering changing jobs this year?

Last year, 51% of Regulatory Affairs professionals considered making a job change, but in 2025, that number has increased to 59%, which is the highest number we’ve seen in five years. Of those looking for a change, 45% are currently employed, while 14% are unemployed and actively seeking new opportunities.

For those professionals considering a job change, we asked:

If yes, what would motivate you to switch? (select all that apply)

Remote work continues to be a dominant factor, influencing 75% of employed professionals looking for new opportunities. Compensation remains a crucial motivator at 74%, while career advancement opportunities and company financial stability drive 43% of job seekers. Only 15% are motivated by the ability to work on-site, reinforcing the trend that flexible work arrangements remain a top priority. Interestingly, 75% of respondents tell us that Culture/People is the most important factor motivating them to consider a job change, compared to 52% last year.

For unemployed Regulatory professionals, the priorities shift slightly. Remote work, Culture/People, and Challenging Responsibilities are the highest factors at 57%, followed by career advancement, and compensation, both at 29%. Pay Transparency is also important to 29% of respondents, compared to just 10% last year. This suggests that challenging responsibilities, company culture, and flexibility are even more critical for those re-entering the workforce.

Some respondents provided valuable insights into what they seek in a new role:

“Flexibility”

“Ability to work remotely 3 days/week is most important but the culture, company financial stability and pay transparency are also very high on the list”

To better understand what companies are doing right to retain Regulatory employees, we asked:

If not, what keeps you in your current position? (select all that apply)

For the fifth year in a row, remote work is the primary reason professionals stay in their current roles, with 80% selecting it as a key factor, the highest we’ve seen since 2022. Culture/People is the second most important factor at 65%, followed by Compensation at 50%, while career advancement ranks significantly lower at 11%. This highlights the need for employers to offer competitive salaries, a strong company culture, and flexible work environments to retain talent.

A respondent shared their perspective on what keeps them engaged in their role:

“I like the team I work with and the company”

“My commute is from my bedroom down the hall to my office”

“I have an incredible team to work with everyday”

Key Takeaways:

• Remote work remains the strongest factor in job satisfaction and career decisions.
• Compensation continues to be a critical driver for both retention and job changes.
• Career advancement opportunities matter but are a lesser priority compared to flexibility, company culture and pay.
• Unemployed job seekers prioritize remote work, company culture, and challenging responsibilities, emphasizing the need for flexibility in hiring strategies.

According to a recent survey from ResumeTemplates.com, 56% of workers are expected to look for new opportunities in 2025 with one in three planning to quit their current job even if they don’t have a new one lined up. However, with over 75% of Regulatory professionals prioritizing remote work and only about 52% of job listings offering it, companies that fail to provide flexible work options risk losing top talent. It’s important to note that 76% of those considering a job change are actively employed. As bonus season approaches, many professionals will begin searching for better opportunities, making it essential for employers to act now.

At Dennis Partners, we specialize in identifying and attracting top-tier Regulatory professionals by going beyond resumes to understand their motivations and long-term career goals. Whether you are looking to make a career move or finalize your Regulatory hiring strategy for 2025, we can provide strategic solutions tailored to your needs.

Contact us today to learn how we can help you achieve your hiring and career goals this year.