Remote vs. Onsite: Tracking Regulatory Affairs Hiring Trends in Biopharma

Dennis Partners has been tracking Regulatory job posting data for small to medium-sized biopharma companies for the past few years.  We often look at this data to spot trends in Regulatory hiring which may be helpful for both hiring managers and regulatory professionals.

As biopharma companies struggle to hire and retain Regulatory talent, the debate continues over remote versus onsite hiring.  Our clients often wrestle with the best working arrangements that can foster collaboration and culture, while also freeing workers from a daily commute and providing them with flexibility.  Therefore, we decided to look at the worksite trends over the past two years.

Before we jump into the data, I think it’s important to provide a few definitions.  “Remote” roles typically mean working from home most of the time, with some occasional visits to the office (once or twice a year). “Hybrid” has a much broader meaning. This can vary from being in the office three days a week to being there once a month, or a few times each quarter. “Onsite” typically means being in the office 4-5 days per week.

While there has been a decrease in overall Regulatory Affairs job postings within small to mid-sized biopharma companies for the past two years, the proportion of remote and hybrid roles continues to grow.  Remote roles have hovered between 25-30% of quarterly job postings while hybrid have grown from 12% to 25% during the same period.

In 2023, remote & hybrid job postings in Regulatory Affairs accounted for 42% of all listings.  In Q4 of 2023 there was a notable dip in both hybrid and remote positions, while onsite positions grew.  However, this trend reversed in Q1 when remote roles jumped up to 30% and hybrid was over 20%.  During this time, we saw positions which were posted as “onsite” get switched to being either hybrid or remote. 

By the end of the third quarter of 2024, this number increased to an average of 50 percent.  Notably, in July 2024, 63% of postings offered remote or hybrid options, showcasing a significant rise despite ongoing discussions about returning to the office. 

Although there is much discussion of returning to the office full time, Regulatory Affairs continues to have abundant remote and hybrid work opportunities. This trend reflects a consistent and sustained demand for flexible working arrangements in this sector. Companies that offer remote or hybrid work options are more competitive in attracting experienced regulatory professionals. As the biotech and pharmaceutical industries evolve, candidates are seeking roles that provide work-life balance, especially in light of post-pandemic changes in workplace culture.

As the industry moves forward, it’s likely that both remote and hybrid models will continue to be prevalent in the Regulatory Affairs job market. Companies that embrace flexible work arrangements may see long-term benefits in terms of productivity, cost savings, and talent acquisition.