Associate Director, Global Medical Affairs Excellence & Operations

Position Overview

Otsuka is seeking an exceptional Associate Director of Global Medical Affairs (GMA) Excellence & Operations to support our emerging rare disease portfolio, following our recent acquisition of Jnana. This role is crucial in driving operational excellence and innovation within our GMA organization, with a specific focus on rare disease programs. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping and implementing best practices, ensuring efficient processes, and supporting the delivery of high-quality medical information to healthcare professionals and patients globally.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning and Execution

• Develop and implement strategic plans in partnership with Medical Strategy leadership to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness within the GMA organization for the rare disease portfolio
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align global medical operations with overall business objectives and therapeutic area strategies

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 Global Medical Affairs
• Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of global medical operations

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Foster strong partnerships with Global Clinical Development, Global R&D Evidence, and Global Commercial teams 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 GMA and other departments to facilitate smooth operations and communication across regions

Compliance and Quality Assurance

• Ensure all GMA operations activities comply with global regulatory requirements and company policies
• Develop and implement quality control measures for medical information and operational processes across all markets
• Stay abreast of global industry trends and regulatory changes affecting medical operations in rare diseases

Budget Management

• Develop and manage budgets for global medical operations initiatives
• Ensure cost-effective utilization of resources while maintaining high-quality outputs across all regions
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement of fiscal stewardship within the global team

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree required. Preferred- Advanced degree in life sciences, pharmacy, or related field (Ph.D., PharmD, or M.D. preferred)
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in Global Medical Affairs within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, with at least 3 years in operational roles
• Experience in rare disease therapeutic areas is highly desirable
• 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
• 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
• In-depth knowledge of global regulatory requirements and industry standards in medical communications

Join Otsuka and be part of our mission to revolutionize patient care in rare diseases globally. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of Global Medical Affairs operations in a dynamic and growing portfolio. Your expertise will be instrumental in ensuring that our medical information and operations are at the forefront of industry standards worldwide, ultimately benefiting patients with rare diseases across the globe.

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