Executive Director Head of Medical Strategy

Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd. is a global pharmaceutical company based in Japan with key operations in the U.S. (Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc.), Canada (Sumitomo Pharma Canada, Inc.) and Europe (Sumitomo Pharma Switzerland GmbH) focused on addressing patient needs in oncology, urology, women's health, rare diseases, psychiatry & neurology, and cell & gene therapies. With several marketed products in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, a diverse pipeline of early- to late-stage assets, and in-house advanced technology capabilities, we aim to accelerate discovery, research, and development to bring novel therapies to patients sooner. For more information on SMPA, visit our website https://www.us.sumitomo-pharma.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

Job Overview

The Executive Director Head of Medical Strategy will be a key member of the Medical Affairs Leadership team reporting to the Vice President, Medical Affairs.  

The job is responsible for managing the team of Strategy Heads for each therapeutic area and playing a critical role developing the strategy with each Therapeutic Area Strategy Head and key role with internal company cross functional alignment and external facing interactions. This job will be a key role on the Leadership team and play a highly visible role internally and externally, and effectively lead and communicate with cross-functional team members to develop and execute the strategy.  The role will also collaborate closely with Commercial leadership, as appropriate, and R&D team on strategic initiatives.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Support one team, patient first, high energy, positive dynamic culture.
• Aligning with CMO, and VP of MA, to drive medical affairs strategy for Sumitomo Pharma America Inc.
• Provide input to Global/Sumitomo Pharma America Inc. R&D Strategy and other corporate functions. ​
• Provide input to VP Medical Affairs to support budget creation and manage costs to keep within budget of Medical Affairs.
• Lead, develop and mentor team members​.
• Specify, develop and sustain optimal internal processes, capacities and capabilities.
• Develops and aligns Medical Affairs strategic plans with brand strategic imperatives based on external engagement, MSL/cross functional input and impactful insights, supporting data generation, and data communication, education and awareness stakeholders.
• Support alliances, ensuring coordination and alignment of all Medical Affairs activities and budget within SMPA and with alliance partners.
• Oversee the strategy and development of Medical Affairs plans and scientific platforms.
• Ensure cross-functional medical alignment with the US Field Medical team, Medical Communications & Operations, RWE & HEOR and ex-US colleagues.
• Direct the implementation of plans that will be executed through multi-modal medical education channels, including publications, presentations, congresses, advisory boards, CME, medical symposia and other channels.
• Oversee the development and implementation of detailed scientific Publication Plans.
• Work with cross functional team to develop and execute Advisory Board.
• External engagement and maintain a highly visible role during exchanges within the medical/scientific community to develop close relationships with a group of scientific key opinion leaders.
• Work closely with the commercial organization to bring the medical perspective to commercial strategies and tactics, aligning with Marketing & Market Access to collaborate on the most efficient and effective ways to work together.
• Define and attend relevant medical and scientific conferences.
• Support strategy and oversight for the development of a supportive US Investigator Initiated Study and Collaborative Research program.
• Ensures that all interactions and activities in the US adhere to corporate and healthcare compliance guidance in all activities, including those related to clinical trials, scientific interactions with internal and external groups, and responses to unsolicited requests for medical/scientific information.
• Ability to travel (domestic and some international) to attend scientific congresses, participate in internal meetings, and meet key stakeholders in the development of Medical Affairs activities - up to 30% travel.

Key Core Competencies

• Dynamic leadership skills.
• Strategic thinking, critical analysis and reviewing primary data to develop insights.
• Ability to independently engage external stakeholders.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, as the position will interface with key opinion leaders and a wide range of internal employees.
• Ability to effectively communicate, collaborate and deliver excellent work in a fast-paced, and rapidly changing dynamic company.
• Must have excellent interpersonal skills, with experience in conflict management and relationship building.
• Ability to analyze complex issues critically and develop realistic and accomplishable plans and solutions, familiarity with the use and measurement of Key Performance Indicators.
• One-Team attitude with the capability to work cross-functionally with peer, and other colleagues, as appropriate.
• Capable of translating brand goals and objectives into actionable medical and scientific strategies.
• Proven track record of detailed, medically accurate, and scientifically relevant writing and review skills in line with compliance requirements.
• Experience representing a broad range of stakeholders in the development and communication of medical activities and plans.

Education and Experience

• Advanced degree in medical science (MD, or PhD); MD with relevant specialization preferred.
• 8+ years of relevant Medical Affairs work experience in biotech or pharmaceutical industry, or equivalent professional clinical experience.
• Experience leading in a matrix team environment is considered a plus.

The base salary range for this role is $274,800 to $343,500. Base salary is part of our total rewards package which also includes the opportunity for merit-based salary increases, short incentive plan participation, eligibility for our 401(k) plan, medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurances and leaves provided in line with your work state.  Our robust time-off policy includes unlimited paid time off, 11 paid holidays plus additional time off for a shut-down period during the last week of December, 80 hours of paid sick time upon hire and each year thereafter.  Total compensation, including base salary to be offered, will depend on elements unique to each candidate, including candidate experience, skills, education and other factors permitted by law.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Confidential Data: All information (written, verbal, electronic, etc.) that an employee encounters is considered confidential.

Compliance :Achieve and maintain Compliance with all applicable regulatory, legal and operational rules and procedures, by ensuring that all plans and activities for and on behalf of Sumitomo Pharma America (SMPA) and affiliates are carried out with the "best" industry practices and the highest ethical standards.

Mental/Physical Requirements: Fast paced environment handling multiple demands. Must be able to exercise appropriate judgment as necessary. Requires a high level of initiative and independence. Excellent written and oral communication skills required. Requires ability to use a personal computer for extended periods of time.

Sumitomo Pharma America (SMPA) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Affirmative Action employer

Sumitomo Pharma America (SMPA) is committed to a culturally diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; nationality; marital, domestic partnership or civil union status; sex, gender, gender identity or expression; affectional or sexual orientation; disability; veteran or military status or liability for military status; domestic violence victim status; atypical cellular or blood trait; genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing) or any other characteristic protected by law.

For more information about EEO and the Law, please visit the following pages:

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