Lead, R&D Operational Planning (Manager/Senior Manager)

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 & Scope

Insights & Reporting within the Office of the CRDO is responsible for accelerating portfolio delivery through integrated operational execution, leveraging industry benchmarks to guide improvements and elevation of data analytics for informed decisions.

As Lead, Operational Planning & Delivery, this role will be responsible for delivery of best planning and scheduling practices for R&D, by translating business activities into the operational planning ecosystem for reliable project and study, financial, functional, and portfolio information, informing business operations and enabling informed decisions through consistent management of project schedules, costs, and resources across the drug portfolio, enhancing performance. Responsible for proactively facilitating collaborative partnerships with functional stakeholders to coordinate, monitor and report asset/study plans within the planning environment to enable alignment and support team deliverables and consistency of project planning within the Research & Development portfolio.

The Lead, Operational Planning & Delivery position possesses a deep understanding of drug development and extensive knowledge of scheduling and resourcing forecasting software (e.g. Planisware). The Lead, Operational Planning & Delivery typically works within a cross-functional team environment and is responsible for translating asset/study strategy into a working project plan to enable effective project execution and reporting. The Lead, Operational Planning & Delivery is expected to apply technical and team knowledge along with scheduling knowledge to ensure consistency of project plans to support decision-making and stable operational performance.

Role and Responsibilities

• Maintaining accurate and well- constructed timelines, using current Best Scheduling Practices using templates with some customization and some guidance from GPML and/or Asset Teams.
• Interacting and collaborating with asset team members to establish and update timelines, drivers, and costs, identifying activities and dependencies, estimating activity duration, logic, and sequencing tasks to prepare timelines.
• Immersing self in project information to quickly gain a thorough understanding of the project status and key issues. Demonstrates detailed knowledge of specific assigned programs to support decisions made for schedules and modeling.
• Demonstrating a full working knowledge of EAC management for the projects to which they are assigned and apply learnings against other projects within that therapeutic area or stage of development.
• Working with project team members, balancing priorities among various project teams’ work with minimal direct supervision.
• Preparing standard or customized views of standard reports as needed to enable project teams to define and achieve project and corporate objectives.
• Providing timelines that enable scenario, due diligence and risk planning for project teams through collaboration with multiple functional areas (clinical operations, project management, finance, etc.)
• Possessing knowledge and understanding of project critical paths/chains to key project milestones to be used by GPMLs and teams to guide work sequence and priorities
• Has ability to detect potential anomalies in time or cost data and works across the matrix team to analyse and resolve issues.
• Entering risks into Helix as directed by GPML and continuously review risk status with GPML
• Participates in the development of pilots and implementation of new tools/templates/technology that have significant impact to corporate objectives.
• Serving as a Helix/Planisware Subject Matter Expert (SME) for certain topics.
• Demonstrating a strong working knowledge of the drug development process, including clinical studies and the inputs and outputs of each development phase and exhibits a willingness to expand, and apply knowledge of the drug development process.
• Familiar with the R&D Operating Model pertinent to assigned projects and applies knowledge of the governance process in accordance with Astellas standards. Partners with GPML to deliver what is needed for the decision.
• Demonstrating a basic understanding of the pharmaceutical business.
• Demonstrating knowledge of specific assigned program(s) and seeks knowledge of the Astellas pipeline and portfolio
• Asks the “right” questions and summarizes discourse to clarify/challenge assumptions and facilitate discussions.
• Taking initiative, is proactive and resourceful. Seeks clarification on unfamiliar processes and activities.
• Identifying, frames, communicates, and pursues follow-up actions on issues. Identifies appropriate parties and venues for issue resolution. Recognizes when issues need to be elevated to a higher level in order to resolve issues in a timely manner. Partners with team members in development and implementation of solutions.
• Clearly and effectively conveys ideas in one-on-one discussions and in group presentations by listening, questioning, and sharing information.
• Conducting activities that support data quality and integrity in one project type. Establishes processes to review, track and resolve identified data quality exceptions within the source systems within the defined time frame to ensure consistent review and resolution.
• Independently identifies data quality issues within project/study plans in the scheduling and resourcing software and when appropriate raises for resolution with the cross-functional project/study team.

Required Qualifications

• Education BA/BS in related science or business field
• Minimum 6 years in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology or related industry.
• Experience in use of enterprise-wide pharmaceutical project management software solutions, including MS Project and/or Planisware.
• Knowledge of project management tools, such as CTMS, SAP, etc.
• Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills in English, with an ability to interact at all levels of personnel.
• Experience working with internal and/or external stakeholders.
• Extensive knowledge of business processes and procedures in clinical drug development, including portfolio, planning, clinical trial management, cost, staffing, resource management and/or time tracking areas.
• May require up to 10% international travel.

Preferred Qualifications

• PMP certification 

Location and Working Environment

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

$125,090 - $178,700 (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

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