Associate Director, RD HCP Engagement

divh2Associate Director, RD HCP Engagement CoE/h2pThe Associate Director, RD HCP Engagement CoE is a critical change agent and system implementer responsible for designing the operating model and overseeing the execution of a unified, compliant, and exceptional service model for all Healthcare Professional (HCP) engagement and contracting within RD. This role will seek to transform an inconsistent process into an audit-ready, white glove service, providing necessary direction to a direct report responsible for day-to-day execution. While initially focusing on Medical Affairs, the vision is to cover all RD HCP engagement over time. This position reports into the Medical Excellence Operations Vendor and Contracts Management Lead and directly manages the Manager, HCP Engagement Lead. This position will lead the transformation of how Otsuka plans, governs, and executes interactions with healthcare professionals; ensuring all engagements are conducted with the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and efficiency while enabling scientific collaboration and knowledge exchange across regions./ph3Key Responsibilities Include:/h3pstrongProcess Design and Implementation/strong/pulliSet the vision and operational roadmap for the HCP Engagement CoE, acting as the primary change agent to transform the fragmented HCP engagement process into a unified, compliant, and efficient service model/liliLead the end-to-end design and implementation of the centralized HCP engagement and contracting system (e.g., leveraging iHub and Veeva), ensuring the system architecture supports both operational excellence and stringent compliance standards/liliDrive the continuous identification of gaps and the necessary innovation of the CoEs processes, championing the use of technology and AI to support workflow improvement across Medical Affairs and RD/li/ulpstrongTeam Leadership and Operational Oversight/strong/pulliDirectly manage, coach, and develop the Manager, HCP Engagement Lead, overseeing their performance, workload, and adherence to newly implemented process standards and protocols/liliProvide operational oversight for tracking the entire HCP engagement process, ensuring the Manager accurately monitors performance and proactively identifies and resolves systemic process bottlenecks/liliDesign and enforce the framework for a robust feedback loop with internal stakeholders (e.g., Sourcing, Finance, Compliance) and external experts, ensuring the CoE service model evolves based on customer needs and reputational impact/liliDevelop and implement a comprehensive training and certification program for all internal stakeholders involved in HCP engagement/li/ulpstrongGovernance, Compliance, and Audit Readiness/strong/pulliServe as the primary point of accountability for global oversight of HCP interactions, ensuring compliance with internal policies, legal requirements, and industry codes (e.g., PhRMA, EFPIA)/liliEstablish the governance structure for HCP engagement to ensure all contracting elements and fair market value (FMV) determinations are audit-ready/liliDesign the framework for monitoring HCP engagement frequency and workload to prevent KOL fatigue and manage the ethical use of experts across RD and Commercial activities/liliSet the standards for white glove service, ensuring the Manager maintains timely, professional, and consistent communication with external experts to mitigate reputational risk/li/ulpstrongData, Metrics, and Insights/strong/pulliDefine and monitor performance metrics and engagement analytics to assess effectiveness and identify opportunities for optimization in HCP contracting/liliDevelop dashboards and KPIs to monitor processing of HCP payments/liliAnalyze engagement data to identify trends, efficiency opportunities, and compliance risks/liliEnsure visibility, transparency, and data integrity across the end-to-end HCP lifecycle from engagement request to contract close-out/liliPartner with RD and Medical leaders to use data insights to inform strategic planning and continuous improvement/liliIdentify process inefficiencies and implement scalable, automated solutions to reduce cycle times and administrative burden/liliLead cross-functional Root Cause Analysis (RCA) initiatives and implement corrective and preventive action (CAPA) plans/liliEstablish KPIs and dashboards to monitor process performance, turnaround times, and compliance adherence/liliConsider technology and AI to support workflow improvement/li/ulh3Qualifications/h3pstrongEducation and Experience:/strong/pulliBachelors degree in Business Administration, Life Sciences, Finance, Law or a related field is required/liliPrevious experience in HCP Contracting and Payments Required/liliMinimum 6-8 years of experience in pharmaceutical RD, biotechnology or healthcare industry, with strong experience in Medical Affairs, RD operations, or HCP contracting within the pharmaceutical or biotech industry/liliDeep understanding of HCP engagement processes, including contracting, cross-border approvals, and compliance frameworks/liliProven track record of developing and operationalizing frameworks, processes, or centers of excellence in a global matrixed organization/liliExperience collaborating cross-functionally with clinical, medical, and commercial partners/liliStrong understanding of regulatory, compliance, and ethical standards governing HCP interactions globally/liliFamiliarity with digital engagement platforms, CRM systems, and data-driven engagement models is a plus/liliContract Development and Management Experience required/li/ulpstrongSkills and Competencies:/strong/pulliExceptional ability to provide vision and drive organizational change, successfully in a complex, matrixed organization/liliStrong analytical and operational skills/liliDeep understanding of HCP engagement processes and compliance frameworks, with knowledge of global transparency, FMV, and reporting requirements/liliStrong knowledge of global regulatory and compliance standards (FDA, EFPIA, IFPMA, PhRMA)/liliProven track record of proactive, entrepreneurial work style/liliExcellent communication, executive presentation and collaboration skills/liliDemonstrated ability to deliver exceptional customer service and build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring a positive and professional experience at every touchpoint./liliStrong negotiation skills and demonstrated relationship building/liliExcellent project management, organizational cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management skills/liliAbility to lead through influence and drive alignment across diverse teams/liliAbility to spearhead change in a complex, matrixed organization/li/ulpstrongCompetencies/strong/pulliAccountability for Results - Stay focused on key strategic objectives, be accountable for high standards of performance, and take an active role in leading change./liliStrategic Thinking Problem Solving - Make decisions considering the long-term impact to customers, patients, employees, and the business./liliPatient Customer Centricity - Maintain an ongoing focus on the needs of our customers and/or key stakeholders./liliImpactful Communication - Communicate with logic, clarity, and respect. Influence at all levels to achieve the best results for Otsuka./liliRespectful Collaboration - Seek and value others perspectives and strive for diverse partnerships to enhance work toward common goals./liliEmpowered Development - Play an active role in professional development as a business imperative./li/ulpMinimum $146,955.00 - Maximum $219,650.00, plus incentive opportunity: The range shown represents a typical pay range or starting pay for individuals who are hired in the role to perform in the United States. Other elements may be used to determine actual pay such as the candidates job experience, specific skills, and comparison to internal incumbents currently in role. Typically, actual pay will be positioned within the established range, rather than at its minimum or maximum. This information is provided to applicants in accordance with states and local laws./ppApplication Deadline: This will be posted for a minimum of 5 business days./ppCompany benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, company provided basic life, accidental death dismemberment, short-term and long-term disability insurance, tuition reimbursement, student loan assistance, a generous 401(k) match, flexible time off, paid holidays, and paid leave programs as well as other company provided benefits./ppOtsuka 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. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation, if you are unable or limited in your ability to apply to this job opening as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Accommodation Request (EEAccommodations@otsuka-us.com)./ppStatement Regarding Job Recruiting Fraud Scams: At Otsuka/p/div