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Medical Affairs Global Strategic Brand Lead, Ophthalmology

Do you want to be part of an inclusive team that works to develop innovative therapies for patients? Every day, we are driven to develop and deliver innovative and effective new medicines to patients and physicians. If you want to be part of this exciting work, you belong at Astellas!

Astellas Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company conducting business in more than 70 countries around the world. We are committed to turning innovative science into medical solutions that bring value and hope to patients and their families. Keeping our focus on addressing unmet medical needs and conducting our business with ethics and integrity enables us to improve the health of people throughout the world. For more information on Astellas, please visit our website at www.astellas.com .

This position is based in Northbrook, Illinois. Remote work from certain states may be permitted in accordance with Astellas’ Responsible Flexibility Guidelines. Candidates interested in remote work are encouraged to apply.

Purpose and Scope:

The Medical Affairs Global Strategic Brand Lead (MA GSBL) is a core member of the Asset Maximization Team & co-leads the Global Co-creation Team (GCT). In collaboration with the Commercial Global Brand Lead (GBL) and Development Asset Lead (AL), the MA GSBL is responsible for driving the global value of a brand. This role focuses on long-term asset value creation, portfolio strategy, and lifecycle management to achieve the brand’s full potential.

The MA GSBL provides medical input into development of the brand strategy, leads the Core Medical Team (CMT) and facilitates agile Core Medical Plan (CMP) development whilst remaining accountable for delivery of CMP evidence generation and dissemination tactics. The MA GSBL ensures seamless execution of CMP that balances global objectives with local needs and adaptability. As Benefit Risk Team (BRT) chair, the MA GSBL is also responsible for leading, presenting and defending routine and ad-hoc assessments concerning the Benefit/Risk of the product.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership:

+ Lead co-creation of the Integrated Global Brand Plan (iGBP) with cross-functional experts and co-creation affiliates, serving as the brand’s strategic foundation

+ Lead the development of Medical Product Strategy (MPS) and facilitate agile Core Medical Plan (CMP) Development

+ Contribute to creation of Integrated Evidence Generation Plan (iEGP) with cross-functional experts, serving as the strategic foundation for evidence generation

+ Define and oversee overarching brand objectives with medical KPIs, ensuring alignment with global and local strategies

+ Co-lead the development of Global Launch Plans. Present to executive leadership at Global Launch Readiness Review meetings, optimizing readiness for an exceptional launch

+ Lead Medical input for Lifecycle Management (LCM) strategies and Loss of Exclusivity (LOE) planning to

+ enhance long-term asset value

Medical Affairs Excellence:

+ Lead a high-impact CMT with accountability for delivery of CMP evidence generation and dissemination tactics, ensuring seamless execution that balances global objectives with local needs and adaptability.

+ Accountable for budget management associated with evidence generation and dissemination tactics executed globally

+ Empower & enable affiliates to deliver on non-evidence generation and dissemination tactics of the CMP, whilst encouraging iterative dialogue to address local needs

+ Overall accountable for all MA evidence generation activities supporting the brand strategy. Activities may be executed by global, regional, or local teams. Lead CMT Study Review Committee (CMT SRC) to ensure robust governance and review of synopsis/protocols of all MA sponsored studies maintaining high standards for evidence generation

+ Accountable for implementation of the Integrated Evidence Dissemination Plan with strong scientific messages to support the brand. Ensure provision of centralized resources and iterative feedback to refine scientific messaging

+ Enable execution of the medical components of the Global launch plan, providing KPIs and metrics to track global progress

+ Responsible for leading, presenting and defending routine and ad-hoc assessments of the Benefit/Risk of the assigned product. Represent BRT perspective at Global Benefit Risk Committee (GBRC) and in communication with Executive Labelling Committee (ELC)

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

+ Foster cross-functional collaboration (e.g., AMT, GCT, BRT) through Agile touchpoints

+ Collaborate with Commercial, Market Access, Development, Patient Centricity, Local (co-creation) and Regional Medical Affairs Teams to align on strategies that reflect the needs of patients and healthcare providers

+ Partner with R&D teams to influence asset development and ensure clinical viability and patient access for future pipeline assets

+ Communicate key insights captured through advisory interactions and Field Medical with the Asset Team and GCT, ensuring swift responses to evolving needs. Support identification of KEEs and academic institutions to drive accelerated clinical trial delivery in line with Bold Ambition

+ Drive integration and alignment across geographies, ensuring a consistent approach to medical affairs execution and messaging for the brand

+ Collaborate with key stakeholders (e.g. Regulatory Affairs, Labelling, Pharmacovigilance, Commercial) to create competitive and optimized product labels aligned with regulatory requirements and market needs

Stakeholder Engagement:

+ Build and maintain strong relationships with external stakeholders, including diagnostic partners, testing labs, key external experts, advocacy groups, medical organizations and regulatory bodies, to strengthen the company’s global presence and reputation in PM

+ Act as a trusted representative for the company in external forums, conferences, and industry partnerships

Coaching and Team Development:

+ Coach and develop members of the team, fostering competencies and behaviors aligned with the Astellas way, CMT Ways of Working and preparing for future organizational needs

+ Drive cultural and operational transformation initiatives, ensuring long-term sustainable success

Compliance and Ethics:

+ Embed a strong compliance culture across all activities, ensuring adherence to company policies and industry regulations

+ Act as a role model for ethical behavior, fostering integrity and accountability within the organization

Qualifications Required:

Education:

+ A medical degree (MD or equivalent) or Doctorate degree in Pharmacy or Pharmacology recognized by one of the leading governing bodies from around the globe

Experience and Expertise:

+ Minimum 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in country, region or global Medical Affairs, Medical Safety or Clinical Development roles within the Pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, with a significant amount of time spent in Medical Affairs

+ Expertise in leading cross-functional and geographically diverse matrix teams while delivering high-impact business results. The ability to influence without direct authority is a critical skill set for this role.

+ Demonstrated success in leading the brand medical affairs strategy, including product launches and lifecycle management

+ Strong ability to develop innovative, patient-centered medical affairs evidence generation and dissemination strategies that drive patient access and brand performance

+ Has knowledge of TA/disease/product and is able to operate across multiple products within TA.

+ Has advanced understanding of rules and regulations in pharma, including knowledge of global regulatory bodies and procedures, as well as anti-kickback laws, which could have impact for the pharmaceutical industry. Appropriate knowledge of guidelines and regulations such as IFPMA (International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association), PhRMA (Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America), FDA, EMA, PMDA, ACCME and OIG. Is able to apply legal and compliance knowledge to Medical Affairs activities

+ Experience in managing large budgets with demonstrated ability to apply proactive risk management on budget and timeline

Skills and Leadership:

+ Proven ability to lead and inspire high-performing global matrix teams in a fast-paced, matrixed environment

+ Exceptional strategic thinking, business acumen, and decision-making skills

+ Strong communication, influencing, and stakeholder management abilities

+ Complex problem-solving skills and ability to manage more complex problems within a brand team

Preferred:

+ Medically qualified with at least 5 years of direct patient care

+ Medical specialty and/or experience in relevant therapeutic area.

+ Work experience across multiple cultures and countries / regions.

Working Environment:

+ This position is globally based with location flexibility and will require some on-site work.

+ At Astellas we recognize the importance of work/life balance, and we are proud to offer a hybrid working solution allowing time to connect with colleagues at the office with the flexibility to also work from home. We believe this will optimize the most productive work environment for all employees to succeed and deliver. Hybrid work from certain locations may be permitted in accordance with Astellas’ Responsible Flexibility Guidelines.

**Salary Range** : $280,000-$440,000 (Final compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to skills, experience and organizational equity considerations)

**Benefits** :

+ Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

+ Generous Paid Time Off options, including Vacation and Sick time, plus national holidays including year-end shut down

+ 401(k) match and annual company contribution

+ Company paid life insurance

+ Annual Corporate Bonus and Quarterly Sales Incentive for eligible positions

+ Long Term Incentive Plan for eligible positions

+ Company-paid fleet vehicle for eligible positions

+ Referral bonus program

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Category MA Global Brand Strategy

Astellas is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment.

EOE including Disability/Protected Veterans