Otsuka Pharmaceutical Company is a global healthcare company with the corporate philosophy: "Otsuka-people creating new products for better health worldwide." Otsuka researches, develops, manufactures and markets innovative products, with a focus on pharmaceutical products to meet unmet medical needs and nutraceutical products for the maintenance of everyday health.
This position reports to the Launch Excellence, Project Management lead in Otsuka's Marketing Operations organization. Marketing Operations provides US launch lifecycle project management and enablement for the commercial organization, from pre-launch to Loss of Exclusivity (LoE), including brand teams and other key functional areas. The Associate Director, Launch Lifecycle Project Management will play a crucial role in leading launch lifecycle team PMs support including all phases from late development (L-48) through LoE.
The individual selected for this position will be primarily responsible for providing launch project management and operational support to commercial teams, coaching and managing direct report(s) also providing this support. This position will be responsible for planning and executing priority commercial initiatives, primarily in preparation for new asset or indication launches, as well as associated brand planning and day to day functional operations. This individual will have responsibility for managing multiple initiatives simultaneously, including project leadership, material development and process stewardship. This is a people management role with responsibility for direct report(s), so prior positive managerial experience is a must.
This role involves a significant amount of cross-functional leadership, partnering with major functional areas including Brand Teams, Field Teams, Business Analytics/ Market Research, Medical Affairs, Market Access, Sales Training, Finance, Regulatory, Legal, Promotional Compliance, and others. This position also requires coordination with Otsuka's alliance partners and vendors when applicable by project.
In addition, the successful candidate must have prior change management experience including driving the development and implementation of a comprehensive change management strategy that is aligned with the organization goals. The successful candidate will assist with developing change management activities across multiple business matrix areas with focus on implementation and delivery of long-term strategies, solutions, and process advancements, accounting for and including stakeholder analysis and engagement.
The candidate must have experience presenting and engaging with C-Suite executives both orally and in written formats. This includes slide/content development, pre-meeting preparations, and post-meeting follow up and pull throughs.
The right candidate for this position will not only have strong people management and project management skills, but also the ability to think strategically adding value to launch teams and brand teams beyond basic operations. Examples include managing complexity and ambiguity, launch subject matter expertise, effective communication, change management, cross functional influence, problem solving, anticipating challenges, process improvement/ stewardship, and structuring presentations and making process improvement recommendations.
This position is based in Princeton, New Jersey. Otsuka maintains a hybrid work policy and travel is expected up to 15% of the time based on business needs.
Job Description
Commercial Project Management
Product Launch:
Partner with launch leadership to champion and manage launch excellence operational structure, including governance and cross-functional preparation/ execution
Own overall launch/execution readiness, creating and maintaining project plans, timelines and driving launch to major milestones across functions
Lead launch readiness process, including reporting and decision-making
Partner with key alliance personnel as necessary per launch
Facilitate decision-making, risk assessments, mitigation & timely issue resolution
Determine and champion project management methodology and processes
Governance/ Major Meeting Materials:
Partner with brand/ launch leadership to prepare presentations internally and with cross-functional and alliance partners
Gather/ synthesize relevant content
Provide input into brand-led content and storylines
Present and facilitate to achieve meeting objectives
Business Planning:
Partner with brand/ launch leadership and enterprise leadership to take ownership of planning framework and approach to annual business planning
Facilitate and contribute to planning deliverables, including strategic planning and brand planning
Drive process to gain alignment across functions, meet milestones and deadlines
Change Management:
Assist in the strategic planning, development, and execution of change management strategies for organizational initiatives
Identify and engage key stakeholders at various levels of the organization to understand their needs, concerns, and expectations related to change, and build support for change initiatives
Establish and maintain effective communication channels with stakeholders
People Management
Manage direct report(s) to execute on the above and accomplish (launch) team goals
Take responsibility for direct report(s)' workloads, performance, and continuous improvement
Guide direct report(s) in their development and career progression
Minimum Qualifications:
BA/BS degree
Experience successfully managing all or significant portions of a US commercial pharmaceutical launch
Experience partnering directly with brand teams, brand leadership, and cross-functional leadership
Experience in managing simultaneous, multiple high priority deliverables
Experience with Change Management plan development, delivery and impact measurements
Minimum 7 years of pharmaceutical industry and/or marketing operations experience
Minimum 5 years project management experience
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
High standards for accuracy and clarity in written and verbal communication
Strong interpersonal, communication, relationship building and influencing skills
Strong planning, organizational, and prioritization skills - ability to effectively organize and prioritize tasks to achieve established deadlines
Strong people management skills, experience successfully managing direct reports
Knowledge of pharmaceutical industry and major functional areas
Strong managerial, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
Ability to function effectively under conditions of uncertainty and ambiguity, and ability to navigate competing demands
Ability to effectively utilize project management tools and software
Advanced PowerPoint and deck creation skills
Results and self-driven with a high sense of urgency and accountability: ability to meet business objectives, deliverables, and timely completion of initiatives with minimal supervision
Expertise in independently managing complex projects and leading processes with cross-functional workstreams
Strategic planning experience within marketing and launch management
5+ years direct people management experience
Experience creating senior leadership presentations
Experience with Global launch teams
Knowledge of working across strategic alliances
Strong Excel, Microsoft Project skills and Monday.com
Advanced degree in relevant field
PMP training or other relevant Project Management-related certification
Change Management Certification
Consulting experience a plus
Our Benefits:
Comprehensive medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
Company provided Basic Life, AD&D, Short-term and Long-term Disability insurance
Tuition reimbursement
401(k) match
PTO allotment each calendar year, paid holidays, and paid leave programs as well as other company provided benefits
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.
Come discover more about Otsuka and our benefit offerings;.
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.
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