Head, Pharmaceutical Product Innovation

Role Description

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.

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.

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