Manager, Drug and Alcohol Regulatory Compliance

Intro

Are you ready to explore a world of possibilities, both at work and during your time off? Join our American Airlines family, and you’ll travel the world, grow your expertise and become the best version of you. As you embark on a new journey, you’ll tackle challenges with flexibility and grace, learning new skills and advancing your career while having the time of your life. Feel free to enrich both your personal and work life and hop on board!

Why you'll love this job

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.

What you'll do

This list is intended to reflect the current job but there may be additional essential functions (and certainly non-essential job functions) that are not referenced. Management will modify the job or require other tasks be performed whenever it is deemed appropriate to do so, observing, of course, any legal obligations including any collective bargaining obligations.

• 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.

All you'll need for success

Minimum Qualifications – Education & Prior Job Experience 

• 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

Preferred Qualifications – Education & Prior Job Experience

• 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, Licenses, and Certifications

• 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

What you'll get

Feel free to take advantage of all that American Airlines has to offer: 

• Travel Perks: Ready to explore the world? You, your family and your friends can reach 365 destinations on more than 6,800 daily flights across our global network.
• Health Benefits: On day one, you’ll have access to your health, dental, prescription and vision benefits to help you stay well. And that’s just the start, we also offer virtual doctor visits, flexible spending accounts and more. 
• Wellness Programs: We want you to be the best version of yourself – that’s why our wellness programs provide you with all the right tools, resources and support you need.
• 401(k) Program: Available upon hire and, depending on the workgroup, employer contributions to your 401(k) program are available after one year.
• Additional Benefits: Other great benefits include our Employee Assistance Program, pet insurance and discounts on hotels, cars, cruises and more.

Feel free to be yourself at American

From the team members we hire to the customers we serve, inclusion and diversity are the foundation of the dynamic workforce at American Airlines. Our 20+ Team Member Business Resource Groups are focused on connecting our team members to our customers, suppliers, communities and shareholders, helping team members reach their full potential and creating an inclusive work environment to meet and exceed the needs of our diverse world.

Are you ready to feel a tremendous sense of pride and satisfaction as you do your part to keep the largest airline in the world running smoothly as we care for people on life’s journey? Feel free to be yourself at American.