Senior Director, Launch Excellence Strategy & Project Management ( Hybrid)
Avanir Pharmaceuticals
Job Description
About Otsuka
We defy limitation, so that others can too. In going above and beyond—under any circumstances—for patients, families, providers, and for each other. It’s this deep-rooted dedication that drives us to uncover answers to complex, underserved medical needs, so that patients can push past the limitations of their disease and achieve more than they thought was possible each and every day.
About the Role
The Sr. Director of Launch Excellence Strategy & Project Management will have the dual responsibility of embedding the new Launch Excellence Strategy as an Otsuka core capability and leading the project management team supporting in-line and new-to-market brands. This individual will leverage learnings and industry-leading practices across therapeutic areas to guide future Otsuka launch excellence actions partnering with global marketing, medical, and other cross-functional teams to build a cohesive “One Otsuka” approach for all product launches. Serves as a thought partner to key stakeholders to accelerate and improve the quality of launch planning and align to brand and customer planning.
This individual will lead a team of project management professionals responsible for partnering with the in-line brand teams to enable and support strategic planning and tactical execution. Additionally, this role is responsible for leading the annual Integrated Strategic Planning process. As a team leader, this individual will be responsible for elevating brand project management capabilities, introducing and standardizing project management tools, and identifying solutions to increase the impact and value contribution of the project management role at Otsuka.
Job Expectations/Responsibilities:
- Responsible for implementing the new Otsuka Launch Excellence framework into the organization for all future product launches.
- Identifying key learnings and staying apprised of new and innovative approaches to constantly evolve Otsuka’s Launch Excellence framework/ customer/ market needs.
- Instructs teams on standard launch methods (process, platforms, tools, and measurements) to ensure uniform implementation (launch excellence knowledge sharing) for the organization while drawing on industry best practices. "Connects the dots" between launches to maximize synergies from launch to launch and ensures the lessons learned from launch experience are leveraged for future launches.
- Resolves issues with agility while maintaining focus on key deliverables and timelines. Resolves deviations from the plan in a timely and effective manner. Responsible for ensuring that all cross-functional teams and critical functions are contributing at a high level.
- Provides targeted project support to the various functional teams to ensure they meet their planning commitments for the launch. Ensure cross-functional collaboration in planning the launch meeting details, participating and supporting integrated project plans with Marketing, and Identifying critical path items with corrective action. Managing the interdependencies during the launch window of new brands and/or new indications.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders and cross-functional partners on the development of strategy and tactical planning as part of the annual Strategic Annual Planning Process. Evolve the Integrated Strategic Planning processes to fully integrate the therapeutic level and cross-brand into the process.
- Contribute to the success of the department by successfully driving performance across multiple teams. Manage (recruit, hire, coach, develop, motivate, manage, and monitor) the performance of a staff of project management professionals. This includes setting job expectations, establishing key priorities, providing regular feedback, identifying performance challenges, creating action plans and monitoring the effectiveness of those action plans. Meet GROW timelines and coach to ASPIRE competencies.
- Develop project management KPIs to measure effectiveness, support levels, and resource allocation of the project managers.
- Develop and maintain a network of contacts at the national and industry level to stay apprised of emerging capabilities, new industry trends, etc.
Qualifications/ Required
Knowledge/ Experience and Skills:
- BS/BA in Business Administration, Business Management, or Operational Excellence, or Marketing. Master’s Degree Preferred
- Minimum 10 years of Commercial Pharmaceutical industry experience in project management directly supporting in-line and launch brands.
- Product launch experience (marketing and project management)
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to influence and negotiate with key internal stakeholders and various departments is critical for success.
- Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work with high levels of ambiguity are a must
- Solid individual and team management experience with experience managing cross-functional teams.
- Excellent Project Management (PM) and Program Management Office (PMO) skills are required. PMP or Six Sigma Certification preferred.
- High proficiency with Microsoft Office tools Access (or equivalent), Monday.com, Power Point, Excel, Word and MS Project.
- Experience with business process optimization and continuous process improvement methodologies and tools.
- Ability to multi-task and manage multiple complex projects in a cross-functional environment
- Experience working with ambiguity and agility in a fast-paced environment
- Track record of excellent collaboration skills required to work with internal stakeholders at all level of the Organization and coordinate activities across multiple projects, initiatives and key suppliers
- Education/Experience
- B.A. or B.Sc. degree required.
- Master’s degree preferred
- Launch experience as a brand lead or project manager (both preferred)
- Knowledge of pharmaceutical legal, regulatory, and medical processes required.
- Proven leadership, strategic, and analytical abilities.
#LI-Hybrid
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; https://www.otsuka-us.com/careers-join-otsuka.
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.
Statement Regarding Job Recruiting Fraud Scams
At Otsuka we take security and protection of your personal information very seriously. Please be aware individuals may approach you and falsely present themselves as our employees or representatives. They may use this false pretense to try to gain access to your personal information or acquire money from you by offering fictitious employment opportunities purportedly on our behalf.
Please understand, Otsuka will never ask for financial information of any kind or for payment of money during the job application process. We do not require any financial, credit card or bank account information and/or any payment of any kind to be considered for employment. We will also not offer you money to buy equipment, software, or for any other purpose during the job application process. If you are being asked to pay or offered money for equipment fees or some other application processing fee, even if claimed you will be reimbursed, this is not Otsuka. These claims are fraudulent and you are strongly advised to exercise caution when you receive such an offer of employment.
Otsuka will also never ask you to download a third-party application in order to communicate about a legitimate job opportunity. Scammers may also send offers or claims from a fake email address or from Yahoo, Gmail, Hotmail, etc, and not from an official Otsuka email address. Please take extra caution while examining such an email address, as the scammers may misspell an official Otsuka email address and use a slightly modified version duplicating letters.
To ensure that you are communicating about a legitimate job opportunity at Otsuka, please only deal directly with Otsuka through its official Otsuka Career website https://vhr-otsuka.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/External.
Otsuka will not be held liable or responsible for any claims, losses, damages or expenses resulting from job recruiting scams. If you suspect a position is fraudulent, please contact Otsuka’s call center at: 800-363-5670. If you believe you are the victim of fraud resulting from a job recruiting scam, please contact the FBI through the Internet Crime Complaint Center at: https://www.ic3.gov, or your local authorities.