[Innovative Medicine] R&D, Senior Manager, Project Leader Group, Global Development

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The Japan Project Team Leader (PTL) (P8) is a cross-functional R&D leader accountable for actively shaping and executing global asset development strategies through robust integration of Japan insights, working with guidance from TA Lead or senior leaders as needed.

The PTL serves as country counterpart to CDTL and R&D’s empowered country-level leader, ensuring cross-functional Japan considerations are systematically embedded in global decision-making, governance milestones, and delivery plans, additionally to being accountable for project delivery. This role requires strategic leadership, business understanding, stakeholder influence, and excellent execution capabilities by managing complex and uncertain environments for driving broader organizational impact.

• Lead country-level cross-functional Project Teams as an extension of the CDT, ensuring Japan function as integral contributors to global strategy, not only downstream executors.
• Ensure “one local voice” incl. local R&D and commercial alignment to provide input into global CDTs on project strategies for Japan. 
• Generate and position high-quality Japan insights (regulatory, clinical, operational, portfolio, and commercial interface)
• Partner with the CDT and R&D in China/Japan and commercial to translate global strategy into robust, scenario-based country delivery strategies and enable in addition commercial success in Japan, addressing risk, feasibility, and value trade-offs. Ensure execution of country plans, with timely escalation of strategic, resourcing, and risk issues to the CDT and governance forums. Lead critical project issue resolution arising in R&D Japan in alignment with local or regional commercial and global CDTs.
• Maintain clear ownership of country-level R&D governance inputs, ensuring decision traceability and strategic coherence.

• Ensure fit-for-purpose, decision-oriented documentation, including:
  • Strategic insight briefs
  • Provide locally aligned input into the GFLS and ADP for China and Japan
  • Decision logs linked to global governance milestones
  • Clear communication records aligned with CDT and commercial decisions
• Represent R&D externally as appropriate, including scientific forums, health authority interactions, and key stakeholder engagements, consistent with asset strategy and governance expectations.

Ensure consistent and aligned R&D messaging across country, regional, and global stakeholders

• A scientific background with an advanced degree in relevant disciplines (e.g., medical, pharm, regulatory, quantitative sciences, business etc.);
• MD/PhD/PharmD/MBA preferred.

• At least 6 years in drug development including experiences of working in cross-functional matrix teams within a global R&D organization;

• Knowledge of global drug development and registration with understanding of pharmaceutical portfolio risk management;

• Working knowledge of China and/or Japan local practice, policy and regulation; and insight into what is required to be successful in the market also from commercial objectives;
• Track records in delivering as part of a cross-functional project team;  

• Accountable, self-motivated, adaptable, and open-minded, with a strong can-do attitude;
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate complex information, identify key issues, and recommend practical solutions;
• Demonstrates resilience and sound judgement under uncertainty, and takes ownership to drive results;
• Understands business priorities and development strategies, with the ability to connect project decisions to broader organizational goals
• Builds effective partnership and collaborates successfully across teams in a matrix environment;
• Effective stakeholder management, communication, negotiation, and project management skills;
• Demonstrates cultural agility and the ability to work effectively across diverse teams and organizational settings;
• Balances strategic thinking with execution excellence to drive change and deliver impact;
• Fluent in written and spoken English and Japanese.