Associate Director, Strategic Planning & Operations - CNS

The Associate Director, Strategic Planning & Operations will support the assets of varying lifecycle stages in the relevant therapeutic area portfolio. This role is crucial in driving operational excellence and innovation within our Global Medical Affairs organization, with a specific focus on the relevant therapeutic area programs. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping and implementing best practices and ensuring efficient medical affairs processes are in place. This position reports directly into the Director, Strategic Planning Lead, who in turn reports into the Medical Excellence & Operations Lead.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities Include:

Strategic Planning & Execution

• Develop and implement strategic plans in partnership with Medical Strategy leadership to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness within the GMA organization for the relevant therapeutic area portfolio
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align global medical operations with overall business objectives and therapeutic area strategies
• Act as point lead (in collaboration with commercial) to coordinate annual medical/brand plans for the relevant therapeutic area portfolio
• Drive long-term planning for the CNS portfolio by managing a 1 to 3-year roadmap that supports strategic decision-making and cross-functional collaboration
• Oversee end-to-end program management processes, including planning, tracking, and reporting across key initiatives

Operational Efficiency and Process Improvement

• Identify opportunities for process improvement and lead initiatives to streamline GMA operations worldwide
• Implement and optimize systems and tools to enhance productivity and data management within GMA
• Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of global medical operations
• Consider technology and AI to support workflow improvement

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Foster strong partnerships with Global Clinical Development, Global R&D Evidence, Commercial teams, & finance to ensure alignment and efficiency in medical activities
• Collaborate with IT and digital teams to implement and optimize technology solutions for global medical operations
• Serve as a liaison between Global Medical Affairs and other departments to facilitate smooth operations and communication across regions

Budget Management

• Develop and manage day to day aspects of 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 global team

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Bachelors degree required, advanced degree in life sciences, pharmacy, or related field (Ph.D., PharmD) a plus
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in Global Medical Affairs within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, with at least 3 years in operational roles
• Proven track record in implementing process improvements and driving operational excellence on a global scale

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong understanding of Global Medical Affairs functions and their interconnections with other departments
• Technical knowledge in Veeva CRM, Veeva Vault, KOL Mapping Systems, etc.
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple global initiatives simultaneously
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence without direct authority across global teams
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment
• Innovative mindset with the ability to identify and implement creative solutions for global challenges

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.