Manager, Drug and Alcohol Regulatory Compliance

About the role

The Manager, Drug and Alcohol Regulatory Compliance supports the safety and operational integrity of American Airlines by leading the enterprise Drug & Alcohol Program and serving as the company’s Designated Employer Representative (DER). This role oversees regulatory compliance, provides direction on complex and high-risk matters, and partners across the organization to promote accountability, safety, and regulatory excellence.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the company's Designated Employer Representative (DER) and primary regulatory escalation point for the enterprise Drug & Alcohol Program, exercising DER decision-making authority while leading program administration, governance, risk management, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable FAA, FMCSA, DOT, and company Drug & Alcohol requirements, including 49 CFR Part 40, 14 CFR Part 120, and 49 CFR Part 382, as applicable.
• Interpret regulatory requirements, evaluate complex and time-sensitive compliance matters, assess risk, and determine appropriate actions while ensuring decisions are compliant, documented, and defensible.
• Oversee enterprise Drug & Alcohol testing programs, including random, pre-employment, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, return-to-duty, follow-up, and other required testing activities, as well as governance of regulated populations and random testing pools.
• Lead regulatory audits, inspections, investigations, and compliance reviews, ensuring timely resolution of findings and implementation of corrective actions.
• Manage Drug & Alcohol case management processes, including policy violations, removal from safety-sensitive duties when required, return-to-duty requirements, follow-up compliance monitoring, and related reporting.
• Monitor regulatory developments and implement program, policy, and procedural updates to maintain ongoing compliance and program effectiveness.
• Manage relationships and performance of third-party service providers, including laboratories, collection sites, Medical Review Officers (MROs), Substance Abuse Professionals (SAPs), and other vendors.
• Analyze program metrics, compliance data, system and record integrity, and operational trends; establish quality-assurance controls to identify risk, improve performance, strengthen audit readiness, and support regulatory compliance.
• Partner with Safety, People Team, Labor Relations, Legal, operational leaders, labor groups, and regulatory agencies on compliance-related matters and sensitive team-member issues.
• Lead, develop, and coach the team supporting Drug & Alcohol operations while fostering a culture of accountability, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Provide leadership and consultation during urgent regulatory and operational escalations in support of a 24/7 operating environment, including matters requiring immediate DER direction or decision-making.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, Aviation, Safety, Compliance, Criminal Justice, Public Administration, or a related field, or equivalent experience and training.
• 5 years of progressively responsible experience in DOT-regulated Drug & Alcohol compliance, aviation or transportation regulatory compliance, safety, or a closely related regulated environment, including experience interpreting and applying federal requirements.
• 3 years of leadership experience managing people, programs, or complex operational processes.

Qualifications

• Experience leading teams in a regulated or 24/7 operational environment and driving accountability through complex compliance or operational work.
• Experience interpreting and applying federal regulations, company policies, and compliance requirements.
• Experience managing audits, investigations, compliance reviews, or related regulatory activities.
• Experience serving as a Designated Employer Representative (DER) or alternate DER.
• Experience administering FAA, FMCSA, or DOT-regulated Drug & Alcohol programs.
• Experience within the airline, transportation, logistics, or other highly regulated industries.
• Experience leading regulatory audits, inspections, and agency interactions.
• Knowledge of Medical Review Officer (MRO), Substance Abuse Professional (SAP), return-to-duty, and follow-up testing processes.
• Experience managing third-party vendors and service providers.
• Experience with compliance systems, data analytics, reporting, process automation, or technology-enabled controls in a regulated environment.

Skills

• Strong knowledge of FAA, FMCSA, DOT, and company Drug & Alcohol regulations and compliance requirements, including 49 CFR Part 40, 14 CFR Part 120, and 49 CFR Part 382, as applicable.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret complex regulations and apply sound judgment in time-sensitive situations.
• Experience leading compliance programs, audits, investigations, and corrective action activities.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to develop teams and drive accountability.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence and partner across multiple stakeholder groups.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with a high degree of confidentiality.
• Ability to work outside standard business hours and support critical operational and regulatory issues as needed.

Benefits

• Travel Perks: You,