Head, Pharmaceutical Product Innovation (Sr. Director)

About Astellas

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. Learn more at Astellas.com.

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.

Purpose and Scope:

This role will operate at the intersection of patient experience, product design, lifecycle strategy, technical development, and commercial value creation. The Head, Pharmaceutical Product Innovation will lead cross functional efforts to identify opportunities spanning delivery, formulation, dosing, administration model, device strategy, route of administration, and site-of-care optimization that improve patient and provider experience while driving meaningful strategic and economic value for Astellas.

The role will partner closely with stakeholders across Pharmaceutical Development, CMC, Medical, Clinical Development, Regulatory, Commercial, Market Access, Business Development, Manufacturing, Device Engineering, and external partners to translate patient journey and healthcare provider workflow insights into actionable product innovation strategies and prioritized business cases.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

Enterprise Product Innovation Leadership

• Establish and lead a focused Product Innovation capability designed to identify and advance high value innovation opportunities across the pipeline and on-market portfolio.
• Drive a strategic and commercially grounded approach to product innovation centred on improving how therapies fit into the day-to-day realities of patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers.
• Lead the co-creation of the long-term operating model, governance approach, and cross-functional engagement strategy for Product Innovation within the organization.

Portfolio Opportunity Identification & Prioritization

• Lead portfolio-level identification and prioritization of product innovation opportunities spanning:

- delivery systems

- formulation

- dosing strategy

- route and method of administration

- device strategy

- treatment setting/site-of-care optimization

- administration workflow simplification

• Evaluate opportunities across both internally developed and externally acquired (Business Development) assets, including opportunities for lifecycle differentiation and expanded strategic value creation.
• Assess innovation opportunities using structured frameworks balancing desirability, feasibility, viability, operational complexity, strategic fit, and financial impact.

Cross-Functional Matrix Leadership

• Convene and lead matrixed teams of SMEs across Pharmaceutical Development, CMC, Clinical Development, Medical Affairs, Regulatory, Commercial, Market Access, Manufacturing, Device Engineering, Quality, Business Development, and external partners.
• Drive alignment across stakeholders to advance prioritized opportunities from early concept generation through business case development, governance review, and integration into product development strategy and Quality Target Product Profile (QTPP) planning.
• Lead through influence in a highly matrixed environment without direct operational ownership of all contributing functions.

Patient Journey & Product Strategy Integration

• Lead efforts to map and analyze patient, caregiver, and healthcare provider experiences to identify friction points, unmet needs, workflow inefficiencies, and barriers to adoption, persistence, or access.
• Translate patient journey insights into actionable product innovation and lifecycle strategy recommendations.
• Ensure patient and provider realities are incorporated early into product design and development considerations.

Strategic Business Case Development

• Lead development of robust cross-functional business cases quantifying clinical, operational, commercial, reimbursement, and financial implications of product innovation opportunities.
  • Evaluate potential impact on:

- market differentiation

- patient persistence and adherence

- access and reimbursement

- healthcare provider workflow

- treatment burden

- lifecycle extension

- market share and long-term portfolio value

• Present strategic recommendations and investment considerations to senior leadership and governance bodies.

Innovation Program Management

• Partner with Asset Team leadership and senior stakeholders to secure sponsorship, resources, and organizational alignment to deliver prioritized innovation initiatives.
• Maintain executive-level visibility into innovation priorities, risks, trade-offs, and implementation considerations.
• Drive a focused portfolio of high-value innovation programs rather than a broad pipeline of loosely owned concepts.

Required Qualifications:

• PhD degree with 5 years, MSc degree with 10+ years, or BS/BA or equivalent degree with 15+ years of experience across the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and/or digital health industries with demonstrated progression in strategic leadership responsibilities.
• Demonstrated success leading complex cross-functional initiatives spanning technical, commercial, operational, and regulatory functions.
• Experience developing and advancing innovative product, delivery, device, service, or patient-centered healthcare solutions.
• Proven ability to lead through influence within highly matrixed and agile organizations and align diverse stakeholders around shared strategic objectives.
• Experience developing executive-level business cases, strategic recommendations, and portfolio prioritization frameworks.
• Proficiency of pharmaceutical product development, commercialization strategy, lifecycle management, and healthcare market dynamics.
• Experience engaging with or supporting functions including Commercial, Medical, Regulatory, CMC, Pharmaceutical Development, Manufacturing, Market Access, and/or Business Development.
• Enterprise mindset with strong strategic agility and ability to navigate ambiguity.
• Demonstrated ability to connect patient, provider, technical, operational, and commercial perspectives into actionable strategic recommendations.
• Exceptional communication and executive stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong analytical, structured problem-solving, and prioritization capabilities.
• Proven ability to build momentum around emerging opportunities and drive concepts toward operational execution.
• Overseas travel may be required

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with patient journey mapping, human-centered design, and/or design-thinking methodologies in healthcare or pharmaceutical settings.
• Experience supporting lifecycle strategy, delivery/device innovation, or administration model optimization initiatives.
• Experience with combination products, digital health technologies, Software as a Medical Device (SaMD), or connected care solutions is a plus.
• MBA or advanced degree in business, life sciences, engineering, or related field preferred.

Location and Working Environment

This position is based in Northbrook, IL.  Remote work from anywhere in the US is available.

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.

What awaits you at Astellas?

• Global collaboration: Become part of a connected global business of like-minded life science leaders, all 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 Behaviors

Values: Innovation, Integrity and Impact sit at the heart of what we do.

Behaviors: We come together as ‘One Astellas’, working with courage and a sense of urgency.  We are outcome focused and consistently take accountability for our personal contribution.

Salary Range

$170,450 - $243,500 (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 fleet vehicle for eligible positions
• Referral bonus program