At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative oncology strategies and drive impactful clinical development.
- Company: Astellas, a global leader in life sciences dedicated to patient value.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a culture of innovation and collaboration with global impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in patients' lives through transformative therapies.
- Qualifications: Extensive oncology experience and strong leadership skills required.
Astellas is a global life sciences company committed to turning innovative science into VALUE for patients. We provide transformative therapies in disease areas that include oncology, ophthalmology, urology, immunology and women's health. Through our research and development programs, we are pioneering new healthcare solutions for diseases with high unmet medical need.
Are you driven to make a real difference in the lives of patients? We're seeking passionate individuals who thrive in dynamic environments, embrace new ideas, and aren't afraid to take intelligent risks. People who act with unwavering integrity and are deeply committed to making a tangible impact.
Location and Working Environment: This position is hybrid and will require you to be onsite 1 day per quarter at Bourne office in London, UK. Astellas’ Responsible Flexibility Guidelines Statement – We recognize the importance of work/life balance and offer a hybrid working solution allowing time to connect with colleagues at the office with the flexibility to also work from home. This role reports to the Global Head Oncology Medical.
Purpose and Scope: The Head of Emerging Indications is a senior leader in Oncology Medical Development, reporting to the Head of Oncology Medical Development. This position is accountable for shaping and executing clinical development strategy across emerging disease areas, with a strong focus on enabling enterprise growth through entry into new indications. The role provides leadership and oversight to multiple Global Medical Leads and drives delivery excellence across a portfolio of early- and late-stage programs. This leader plays a critical role in defining future portfolio direction through disease cluster strategy and active participation in business development activities. This is a permanent full-time position.
Role And Responsibilities:
- Portfolio Leadership and Emerging Indications Strategy
- Clinical Development Leadership and Execution Excellence
- Cross-Functional, End-to-End Leadership and Integration
- Business Development and External Engagement
- Governance, Compliance, and Operational Excellence
Detailed Responsibilities:
- Define and lead disease cluster strategies to enable entry into new and emerging oncology indications, aligned with enterprise priorities.
- Identify and shape opportunity spaces, integrating internal and external insights.
- Serve as a key thought partner in portfolio prioritization and long-term disease cluster strategy.
- Drive strategic decisions to ensure sustainable portfolio growth and differentiation.
- Provide oversight and direction to Global Medical Leads to ensure high-quality, timely execution of clinical programs.
- Guide design, review, and governance of clinical study protocols, ensuring scientific rigor, feasibility, and regulatory alignment.
- Ensure delivery of high-quality, credible data to support regulatory submissions, publications, and lifecycle strategies.
- Embed a culture of accountability, urgency, and excellence in execution across programs.
- Ensure optimal resource planning and deployment across the Emerging Indications portfolio.
- Ensure integrated, end-to-end development strategies that align with regulatory and commercial objectives through seamless collaboration across research, early development, clinical operations, regulatory, quantitative sciences, safety, medical affairs, and commercial.
- Play a key leadership role in evaluation of in-licensing, out-licensing, and partnership opportunities.
- Provide Medical Development expertise in due diligence, asset valuation, and integration planning.
- Contribute to strategy development for multi-track business development initiatives within Oncology.
- Participate/Lead governance forums, providing a strong Medical Development perspective.
- Ensure adherence to ICH, GCP, and Astellas policies across all development activities.
- Contribute to the establishment and continuous improvement of processes and SOPs.
Required Qualifications:
- Extensive experience working within the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry, including significant oncology clinical development experience across phases.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans with accountability and urgency that integrates diverse perspectives.
- Demonstrated experience leading global development teams and complex programs.
- Proven ability to develop and execute clinical development strategies and regulatory submissions.
- Strong cross-functional expertise spanning clinical, regulatory, safety, and commercial considerations.
- Experience contributing to or leading business development assessments and due diligence.
- Established track record in people leadership, talent development, and change management.
- Exceptional communication skills with the ability to convey complex concepts clearly to the common denominator and influence across diverse stakeholders with keen cultural awareness.
- Advanced degree in life sciences, medicine, or related field.
Preferred Qualifications:
- MD degree with board certification and clinical oncology practice experience.
- Experience in thoracic oncology.
- Exposure in related and complementary functional areas (medical affairs, safety science, etc).
- Experience managing multi-year budgets and resource allocation across complex portfolios.
What awaits you at Astellas?
- Global collaboration: Become part of a connected global business of like-minded life science leaders, dedicated to improving patients' lives worldwide.
- Real-world patient impact: Contribute to transformative therapies that reach patients around the world, knowing your work makes a difference every day.
- Relentless Innovation: Join a company at the forefront of scientific breakthroughs, where you'll have the opportunity to shape the future of healthcare.
- A Culture of Growth: Chart your own course within a supportive environment that values your contributions, champions your development, and empowers you to pursue your passions.
Our Organizational Values and Behaviours: Impact, Innovation, Integrity, One Astellas, Accountability, Courage, Sense of Urgency, Outcome Focus.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Medical Development Head of Emerging Indications, Executive Director in Addlestone employer: Astellas Pharma
Astellas is an exceptional employer that prioritises work-life balance through its hybrid working model, allowing employees to connect with colleagues while enjoying the flexibility of remote work. With a strong commitment to innovation and patient impact, Astellas fosters a culture of growth where employees are empowered to develop their careers and contribute to transformative therapies in a collaborative global environment. The company's focus on integrity and accountability ensures that every team member can make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients worldwide.
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