Sr Manager, Compliance & Continuous Improvement

About Us

Connected International, Inc. (Connected Cannabis Co.) is a leading vertically integrated cannabis company based in Sacramento and operating in California, Arizona, and Florida. With over 15 years experience, Connected specializes in breeding, growing, manufacturing, and distributing top-shelf cannabis through its state-of-the-art facilities and proprietary genetics. 

With over 300 employees across the United States, Connected maintains a strong presence in the industry across multiple markets. The company has recently expanded into Arizona and Florida with ambitious national expansion plans underway. Connected's mission has always been to breed, grow, and sell the best cannabis in the world, setting high standards for its products, people, and partners wherever we go.

About the Job

Under the direction of the General Counsel, the Sr Manager, Compliance & Continuous Improvement directs the organization and employees in regulatory, safety, and corporate compliance: maintaining the effectiveness of the Corporate Compliance Program, maintaining compliance with applicable state and local rules and regulations pertaining to the provision of cannabis licensing, ensuring the company is in good standing with regulatory bodies in CA, AZ, and FL, and establishing and managing the security program and compliance for the company.   Serves as a consultative resource for regulatory issues.

The Sr Manager, Compliance & Continuous Improvement provides creative, forward thinking solutions to complex administrative and regulatory issues to the organization's leadership and is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive framework that proactively monitors changes on the regulatory front. In addition to compliance responsibilities, the Director of Compliance serves as the primary internal project manager for company initiatives, with a focus on—but not limited to—expansion-related projects, ensuring alignment, accountability, and timely execution across teams.

What You Will Do

Compliance Department Oversight:

• Maintains a current working knowledge of Federal (where applicable) and State regulations and policies as they affect Connected International Inc.  through routine review of various manuals, notices, applicable government regulations and new program/policy.
• Plans, organizes, directs, and coordinates the organizational compliance program and activities to ensure that practices, policies, and procedures comply with State laws  as well as other regulatory requirements and accreditation standards and ethics.
• Develops systems and methods for compliance program implementation and evaluation: develops, implements, and audits program processes.
• Oversees the administration of the day-to-day operations of the compliance program; identifies the necessary participants in the compliance plan development and administration and implementation process.
• Develops and manages the budget for the department, identifies problem areas and opportunities for improvement, and estimates resources necessary to accomplish the implementation of the program.
• Develops, initiates, maintains, and revises policies and procedures for the general operation of Connected's compliance program and its related activities to avoid and mitigate risk and to comply with all regulatory, legal, and ethical requirements and standards.
• Investigates and resolves compliance violations and complaints; identifies policy and compliance issues and proposes solutions.
• Develops and oversees a system of incident reporting and monitoring to respond to concerns, establishing a culture of continuous improvement. Researches and investigates issues and prepares written or oral responses as needed.
• Provides guidance, support and coaching regarding Compliance matters to Connected Leadership and Management across departments, including People Operations. Works collaboratively with onsite management to ensure quality assurance through compliance programs and risk management activities. Collaboratively designs systems and processes to ensure prevention and resolution of compliance issues.
• Coordinates the communication of compliance standards to all employees; works with People Operations and department managers as appropriate to develop an effective compliance training program, including appropriate introductory training for new employees and ongoing training for all employees and managers. Disseminate information to employees regarding a broad spectrum of compliance related topics, and provide continuing education on said topics. 
• Directs leadership and manager education and training about actual, proposed, or pending legislation and regulations that affect operations, and identifies operational obstacles to compliance, working with other employees to identify and implement solutions.
• Communicate with regulatory agencies regarding pre submission strategies, potential regulatory pathways, compliance requirements, or clarification and follow-up of submissions under review.
• Serve as the primary internal project manager for company initiatives, with a focus on—but not limited to—expansion-related projects; ensure cross-functional alignment, accountability, and timely execution.

Compliance Team Oversight: 

•  Analyze regulatory deficiencies or complaints and make recommendations regarding their correction.
•  Coordinate, prepare, or review regulatory submissions for regulatory entities in states where the company operates, as needed.
• Interpret regulatory rules or rule changes and ensure that they are communicated through corporate policies and procedures, including communication with legal counsel.
• Assist with review of product promotional materials, labeling, batch records, specification sheets, or test methods for compliance with applicable regulations and policies.
• Compile and maintain regulatory documentation databases or systems.
•  Maintain current knowledge base of existing and emerging regulations, standards, or guidance documents and recommend changes to company procedures to maintain compliance.
•  Obtain and distribute updated information regarding regulations, laws, guidelines, or standards.
•  Prepare or maintain technical files as necessary to obtain and sustain license approval.
•  Write or update standard operating procedures, work instructions, or policies.

Role Expectations:

• Track and manage cannabis licensing obligations, including renewal dates and related legal administrative requirements, ensuring all filings are accurate and timely.
• Research and fulfill legal and administrative duties as assigned, supporting compliance and operational needs.
• Coordinate and track project tasks across departments, ensuring alignment, accountability, and timely completion of deliverables.
• Participate in ongoing education and professional development to remain current on evolving regulations and project management best practices.
• Collaborate respectfully and effectively with colleagues across all teams, fostering a culture of accountability and transparency.

Project Management:

• Creates long- and short-term project plans to manage through compliance deficiencies or continuous improvement projects.
• Advise project teams on subjects such as pre-market/pre-inspection/pre-license regulatory requirements, export and labeling requirements, or other regulatory compliance issues.
• Work with cross functional and cross organizational teams to complete projects and delegate tasks to employees best positioned to complete them.
• Communicate with executives and management to keep the projects aligned with compliance and company goals.
• Perform quality control on the project throughout development to maintain the expected standards. 
• Adjusting schedules and targets on the project as needs or financing for the project change.
• Creates long- and short-term project plans using continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, PDCA) to proactively address compliance gaps, optimize product quality, level up workflows, and eliminate operational waste.

What We Are Looking For

• Ability to manage competing priorities.
• Knowledge of federal, state, local and private standards and regulations.
• Strong time management and prioritization skills.
• Ability to track and manage programmatic and regulatory reporting requirements.
• Ability to communicate well with internal and external partners.
• Ability to exercise sound judgement and discretion.
• Strong ethical character capable of handling confidential and financial information.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to recognize problems, collect data and establish facts.
• BA/BS Degree and 10-15 years' experience in compliance management
• Thorough knowledge of all applicable state and local cannabis regulations
•  Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Excellent knowledge of reporting procedures and record keeping
• Excellent communication and organizational skill
• Must be 21+ to be eligible for employment
• Thorough knowledge of company's products and the industry
• Knowledge of techniques to achieve success in all aspects of customer interaction and satisfaction
• Knowledge of software applications that allow for effective customer support, generation of reports and internal presentations.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to make decisions with minimal supervision
• Reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration
• Proven experience managing exempt and non-exempt level employees
• Ability and willingness to complete repetitive tasks
• Quality:  Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Motivation:  Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles
• Ability to self-start, organize, multi-task. Operate based on manager-directed priorities and be flexible in a dynamic work environment.

Compensation Description (annually): The salary range for this position in the selected city is $120,000.00 - $150,000.00 annually.

Compensation may vary outside of this range depending on a number of factors, including a candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies and experience, and location.

Why Connected?

Connected is an exciting, innovative workplace with an inclusive culture that offers rare career opportunities, and a chance to make a real-world impact in a new start-up industry! We are looking for exceptional people to join our team as we transition into the next phase of our business ventures and become a leader in the cannabis industry.  

• Competitive Pay 
• 401 (k), Medical, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program
• PTO, Flexible Schedules, Work-Life Balance
• Career Growth and Internal Advancement Opportunities
• Chance to work in an exciting new start-up industry with awesome people!

#LI-LT1