Director, Principal Platform Lead

At Otsuka, we defy limitation, so that others can too.

We have an unwavering belief in doing more. In transcending expectations. In going above and beyond—under any circumstances—for patients, families, providers, and for each other. It’s this deep-rooted dedication that drives us to uncover answers to complex, underserved medical needs, so that patients can push past the limitations of their disease and achieve more than they thought was possible each and every day.
We believe that the bigger the challenge, the bigger the opportunity. We are doing everything in our power to live up to our mission of creating new products for better health worldwide in two important therapeutic categories: neuroscience and nephrology.

Job Description

The Director role will lead the Otsuka operations platform team by providing superior operational and program delivery across all technology initiatives. The position will be responsible for overseeing all operational aspects of the execution of the roadmap but also the prioritization and oversight across the associated projects and capital planning process and manage the operations support team.

Core Responsibilities include but not limited to the following:

• Deliver key programs across roadmap: Effectively manage the technical team, providing oversight to deliver on strategic engagements and program deliverables, ensuring the team delivers against its commitments with the highest quality in a timely fashion. Creates and owns appropriate business-aligned implementation plans, timelines, milestones, etc.

• Oversee and lead Center of Excellence teams as well as Managed Service Providers across platforms: Defines priorities for the team aligned with business priorities. Coordinates with the IT Business partners to develop an IT strategy and roadmap that addresses operational contingencies. Identifies technology opportunities to address process ‘pain points’, enable leading practices and technology-enabled improvement opportunities. Builds business case for implementation IT initiatives. Manages the service provider resources to ensure SLA’s are being met.

• Vendor Management: Oversee vendor selection, financial and performance management for assigned area, as well as direct relationship management with supplier’s executive team to influence the direction of the supplier’s growth to align with Otsuka needs. Builds and manages working relationship with service providers and software vendors. Coordinates with MSPs to assure proper coverage exists for all applications and all off-shore/on-shore resources

• Financial Management and Oversight: Review/create annual budgets, periodic forecasts and re-plans for assigned area, including investments and expenses for assigned projects, platforms, and services. Work closely with share services functions and Finance to maintain alignment on costs and timing.

• IT Leadership: Actively participates and influences internal IT strategies surrounding operating models, technology platforms, career growth, and diversity, equity and inclusion. Volunteer to lead internal initiatives that shape the future of IT at Otsuka. Continuously seek ways to optimize the IT operations and manage service providers without jeopardizing the service levels or impacting critical business events.

• Career Developer: Provides mentoring, coaching, and professional direction to direct reports. Builds and actively drives an environment for a well-balanced, healthy and prosperous career

Key Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree; preferably, a degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or adjacent fields.

• Minimum of years 15 years of experience providing solutions for business, developing and managing implementation of global platforms, with at least 5 years of experience in Life Sciences or adjacent industries experience, and a minimum of 3 years in a leadership role.

• Advanced degree in in sciences, business administration, or pharmaceuticals is optimal.

• Working knowledge of key processes within the relevant business area and various regulations governing the pharmaceutical industry.

• Experience in data warehousing technologies

• Experience in application integration and API management technologies

• Experience with AIML technologies, specifically AWS AI Services, Azure AI Services, DataIKU, and OpenSearch

• Knowledge of ITIL and experience in managing all ITSM processes

• Superior presentation skills with the ability to influence, drive action and strategy including ability to effectively interface with all levels including senior leadership with demonstrated executive presence.

• Proven organizational change management, issues & conflict management, business-technology innovation and transformation experience.

• Experience working with globally distributed business and IT teams, especially in Japan, EU and India.

• Broad business and IT capability awareness with hands on experience using or implementing functional area specific application.

• Multiple successes in delivering new capabilities using system development life cycle (SDLC) practices and managing a complex portfolio using portfolio and project management (PPM) methodologies.

• Up to 10% travel is required, based upon business needs.

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the people assigned to this position. It is not intended to include every job duty and responsibility specific to the position. Otsuka reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

Otsuka is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to their protected veteran or disabled status, or any protected status.