Director, Strategic Planning & Operations (Medical Affairs)

The Director, Strategic Planning & Operations is a pivotal role within the Medical Excellence & Operations team within Global Medical Affairs. This role is responsible for overseeing 3 medical business unit specific Strategic Planning roles (CNS, Nephrology & Immunology, and Rare Disease), as well as one strategic planning role for external engagement. This role will seek to shape and implement best practices, ensure efficient processes, and support the delivery of high-quality medical plans. This role ensures alignment between scientific strategy, clinical development, and commercial objectives, and serves as a key partner in shaping the medical vision throughout the asset lifecycle. This role reports directly into the Executive Director, Medical Excellence and Operations.

Key Responsibilities Include

Lead the annual and multi-year Global and US Medical Affairs Strategic Planning process, overseeing the development, integration, and communication of high-quality Medical Plans across multiple therapeutic areas

Establish and maintain governance standards, templates, and planning tools to ensure consistency, quality, compliance, and strategic alignment with corporate objectives across CNS, Nephrology & Immunology, and Rare Disease, as well as external engagement

Facilitate portfolio-level strategic alignment and prioritization discussions with key cross-functional stakeholders including R&D, & U.S / Global Commercial teams to ensure a unified approach to asset advancement and lifecycle management.

Driving strategic alignment by partnering with U.S & Global asset planning teams to enhance collaboration across Otsuka

Consider technology and AI to support workflow improvement

Serve as a key point of contact for senior leadership, providing updates, insights, and recommendations on strategic planning activities.

Team Leadership and Development

Build and lead a high-performing team of Associate Directors responsible for Strategic Planning and operational excellence across the portfolio

Ensure functional excellence and guide the translation of global medical strategy into actionable, measurable execution plans

Establish and reinforce program management standards across therapeutic areas through staff development and oversight

Cross-TA Integration and Portfolio Management

Serve as a strategic advisor to senior leadership on medical affairs priorities, risks, and opportunities within each therapeutic area

Serve as the central point of contact for integrating strategic plans and championing planning best practices across all disparate therapeutic areas

Challenging asset teams to set clear KPIs to monitor progress against budget and adjust tactics throughout the year as business needs evolve

Lead the review and aggregation of portfolio-level Medical Insights, partnering with Finance and Operations on consolidated budget and resource forecasting

Oversee the creation and implementation of multi-year strategic roadmaps tailored to each therapeutic area

Budget Management

Oversee budgets for global medical operations initiatives

Ensure cost-effective utilization of resources while maintaining high-quality outputs across all regions

Serve as a strategic thought partner who confidently challenges investment decisions, ensuring alignment with broader organizational strategy and long-term value creation

Foster a culture of continuous improvement of fiscal stewardship within the US and global team

Qualifications

Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree in a scientific or clinical discipline preferred

Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, with at least 8 years in Medical Affairs

Minimum of 8 years of demonstrated experience in a strategic planning, portfolio management, or equivalent senior leadership role

Proven experience managing, mentoring, and leading a team of direct reports within a strategic or cross-functional setting

Extensive experience in developing and implementing Global Medical Affairs strategic plans for multiple therapeutic areas or across a portfolio

Deep knowledge of the drug development lifecycle, evidence generation, and regulatory requirements

Skills and Competencies

Exceptional ability to lead and motivate a diverse team, delegate effectively, and drive organizational change

Technical knowledge in Veeva CRM, Veeva Vault, KOL Mapping Systems, etc.

Superior Strategic Thinking and Planning skills, with the ability to manage complexity and translate vision into concrete, actionable steps

Outstanding business acumen, with the ability to articulate the strategic value of Medical Affairs activities to leadership

Proficiency in project management tools and strategic planning platforms

Excellent communication, presentation, and Stakeholder Management skills, capable of influencing senior leaders across R&D, Commercial, and Finance

Expert-level understanding of corporate governance, compliance standards, and the regulatory environment impacting global medical planning

Proven organizational and Portfolio Management capabilities to handle multiple therapeutic plans and competing priorities simultaneously

Competencies

Accountability for Results -

Stay focused on key strategic objectives, be accountable for high standards of performance, and take an active role in leading change.

Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving -

Make decisions considering the long-term impact to customers, patients, employees, and the business.

Patient & Customer Centricity -

Maintain an ongoing focus on the needs of our customers and / or key stakeholders.

Impactful Communication -

Communicate with logic, clarity, and respect. Influence at all levels to achieve the best results for Otsuka.

Respectful Collaboration -

Seek and value others' perspectives and strive for diverse partnerships to enhance work toward common goals.

Empowered Development -

Play an active role in professional development as a business imperative.

Minimum $205,368.00 - Maximum $307,050.00, plus incentive opportunity : The range shown represents a typical pay range or starting pay for individuals who are hired in the role to perform in the United States. Other elements may be used to determine actual pay such as the candidate's job experience, specific skills, and comparison to internal incumbents currently in role. Typically, actual pay will be positioned within the established range, rather than at its minimum or maximum. This information is provided to applicants in accordance with states and local laws.

Application Deadline

This will be posted for a minimum of 5 business days.

Company Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, company provided basic life, accidental death & dismemberment, short-term and long-term disability insurance, tuition reimbursement, student loan assistance, a generous 401(k) match, flexible time off, paid holidays, and paid leave programs as well as other company provided benefits. Come discover more about Otsuka and our benefit offerings; https : / / www.otsuka-us.com / careers-join-otsuka.

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the people assigned to this position. It is not intended to include every job duty and responsibility specific to the position. Otsuka reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Otsuka is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will be given consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, national origin, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation, if you are unable or limited in your ability to apply to this job opening as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Accommodation Request (EEAccommodations@otsuka-us.com).

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