As a senior leader within Medical Affairs, the Executive Director will serve as a strategic thought partner and Chief of Staff to the Vice President of Medical Affairs, providing high-level guidance and operational leadership across the organization. Leveraging a deep understanding of industry trends and internal priorities, this individual will shape the development of best-in-class medical excellence capabilities aligned with Otsuka’s vision, direction, and growth strategy.
The Executive Director, Medical Affairs Strategy, Excellence & Operations will lead five critical teams: Strategic Planning, Business Solutions & Analytics, Vendor & Contracts Management, Governance & Procedures, and Global Medical Evidence Operations ensuring alignment with enterprise goals and medical excellence priorities. This role will champion operational rigor, foster strategic integration, and drive high-quality insights to support decision-making across the organization.
Serving as a key liaison across the Global, US, and Commercial ecosystem, the Executive Director will play a pivotal role in advancing scientific and medical initiatives. Through thoughtful leadership and collaboration, this individual will shape and execute the global medical affairs strategy, optimize operational frameworks, and enable data-driven innovation across therapeutic areas.
Job Description
Key Responsibilities Include:
Strategic Leadership and Execution
Serve as Chief of Staff to the VP of Medical Affairs, driving strategic alignment and operational integration across the Global Medical Affairs organization.
Sets the overall direction of Medical Excellence & Operations (MEO); make critical decisions that have impact across Global Medical Affairs therapeutic areas (TAs) and functions
Leads the development, refinement, and execution of Medical Affairs strategies and objectives in alignment with corporate goals.
Coordinates cross-functional planning, meeting cadences, budget oversight, and communication on behalf of Medical Affairs leadership.
Collaborates with cross-functional teams to align medical affairs activities with commercial and clinical development strategies
Leads Medical Excellence for Med Affairs Strategy to ensure consistent best practices across programs and drive consistent methods of strategic and tactical planning and execution.
Operational Excellence and Team Management
Lead and manage core operational pillars within Medical Affairs Excellence & Operations Team, including:
Global Asset Strategic Planning
Business Solutions and Analytics
Vendor and Contracts management
Global Medical Evidence Operations
Governance and Procedures
Establish and implement systems, SOPs, and governance frameworks to ensure excellence, compliance, and efficiency in Medical Affairs processes (e.g., IME, ISTs, EAPs, publications, congresses)
Provide and maintain the technological infrastructure, business tools, and data analytics, including the medical information contact center, to enable Global Medical Affairs teams to operate efficiently
Oversee the department’s budget, resource allocation, and vendor contracting processes (including key TA level vendors)
Will ensure assignment of Med Excellence activities/projects to Otsuka priorities
Congress Strategy/prioritization, ensure aggregation of congress plans (including meetings) and awareness cross functionally
Develop and maintain calendar of important TA meetings across programs, including congresses and internal offsite meetings (US and Global) to ensure no conflicts and adequate resourcing; will work with Administrative leads to ensure meetings are added to calendars
Develops and manages large teams driving a high-performance culture; understands the required skillset (s) needed within the medical excellence function to deliver best results
Builds relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, including industry partners
Performance Monitoring and Reporting
Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure Medical Affairs impact and execution
Deliver monthly and quarterly updates to Global Medical Affairs leadership and contribute to board-level reporting, as needed
Keeps abreast external environment-relevant trends and incorporates insights and best practices to inform functional decisions
Responsible for ensuring timelines and process for cross-brand initiatives, such as annual medical strategy planning, 3-year roadmaps, SMART goals
Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Doctorate Degree (MD (Medical Doctor), PharmD, PhD) or equivalent preferred
Minimum of 15 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology setting within medical affairs strategy
Sr Director level medical affairs strategy experience for a minimum of 5 yrs. and experience in Medical Excellence & operations
Skills and Competencies:
Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire high-performing teams
Strong strategic, operational, and leadership capabilities within a biotech or pharmaceutical setting
Expertise in navigating regulatory frameworks and ensuring compliance within medical affairs function
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to address complex challenges within medical affairs
Ability to lead a team and influence organizational level decisions
Experience in collaborating with Medical Affairs vendors that can provide medical excellence related support
Strategic thinking acumen and record of accomplishment for operational excellence
Ability to rapidly pivot based on evolving corporate strategy and direction
Proficiency in pharma code and all guidelines concerning medical affairs activities
Excellent presentation skills and ability to communicate complex scientific information
Motivated, disciplined, pro-active individual capable of effectively managing timelines
Other Requirements:
- Ability to travel globally up to 25% for congresses, advisory board meetings, Governance meetings as business needs require
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 $245,454.00 - Maximum $381,110.00, 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.
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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