Director, U.S. Neuroscience Pipeline & Portfolio Strategy

Position Summary

We are seeking an innovative and strategic leader to serve as the Director, U.S. Neuroscience Pipeline & Portfolio Strategy.  This individual is responsible for supporting Otsuka’s U.S. commercialization efforts, ensuring that pipeline assets are positioned for long-term success. This role will focus on market assessment, competitive analysis, and early brand strategy development, working closely with global and R&D, business development, and commercial teams to shape evidence generation and pre-launch planning. The individual will also contribute to portfolio planning and business development assessments, ensuring that Otsuka makes data-driven investment decisions for pipeline assets.

Key Responsibilities

• Support U.S. market assessments for Neuroscience pipeline assets, including epidemiology, patient segmentation, unmet need identification, and pricing/reimbursement landscape evaluation.
• Develop brand strategies for pipeline programs, including target product profiles (TPPs), value propositions, brand narratives, and differentiation strategies.
• Partner with Global and R&D teams to shape evidence‑generation plans, ensuring clinical, real‑world, and HEOR data needs are met to support future U.S. commercialization.
• Support pre‑launch planning, including patient journey mapping, early customer insights, initial access strategy considerations, and stakeholder engagement planning.
• Collaborate with Business Development to assess external opportunities, providing input during due diligence, forecasting, and scenario modeling for potential assets or partnerships.
• Contribute to enterprise portfolio planning, ensuring investment decisions reflect market potential, risk assessment, and alignment with corporate strategy.
• Maintain deep understanding of the evolving Neuroscience landscape, including emerging science, treatment paradigms, digital therapeutics, and policy shifts that may impact commercial potential.
• Develop and refine U.S. commercial forecasts for pipeline assets in collaboration with insights, analytics, and finance partners.
• Champion data‑driven decision‑making to optimize portfolio value, identify risks and opportunities, and shape long‑term Neuroscience therapeutic area strategy.
• Travel is expected up to 25% of the time based on business need.

Qualifications & Key Competencies

• Top-tier MBA/Ph.D in Biology, Life Sciences or Medicine desirable
• 10+ years in pharmaceutical, biotech, healthcare, or healthcare consulting industry inclusive of at least 2 different types of cross-functional roles/experience
• 3+ years leading and translating an integrated product strategy requiring global and local alignment
• US Market, launch and product lifecycle stages experience strongly preferred
• Ability to interpret and synthesize pre-clinical and clinical scientific data and identify broader implications for our programs and / or specific opportunities
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience working in neurology, neurodegeneration, and/or neuropsych is strongly preferred.
• Experience in market forecasting, competitive analysis, and financial modeling
• Working knowledge of the pharmaceutical research and development process including clinical trial design and evidence generation concepts.
• Cross-functional leadership skills, with the ability to collaborate with R&D, business development, and commercialization teams
• Analytical mindset, with the ability to interpret data and develop strategic recommendations
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders
• Experience working in a matrixed environment, managing multiple priorities and cross-functional initiatives

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.