New Product Planning Director, Biopharma

Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd. (Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc.) is a global pharmaceutical company dedicated to advancing patient care across oncology, urology, women’s health, rare diseases, cell & gene therapies, and CNS.

Job Overview

The Director of New Product Planning (Biopharma) reports to the Executive Director, R&D Strategy and New Product Planning. This senior leader provides strategic direction at the intersection of R&D and commercial, focusing on early‑stage and mid‑stage U.S. pipeline assets, with an initial emphasis on CNS/Neurology.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead commercial strategy for all CNS pipeline programs, partnering with R&D to shape Target Product Profiles and development plans.
• Develop and assess market landscapes, patient segments, treatment paradigms, and competitive pipelines to inform portfolio decisions.
• Create commercial forecasts and scenario analyses to support valuation, prioritization, and investment cases.
• Provide strategic input on clinical trial design, evidence generation, and regulatory strategy to optimize market access and differentiation.
• Generate insights from competitive and market developments to guide strategic recommendations.
• Support annual portfolio prioritization by providing an objective commercial perspective on global R&D CNS programs.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with Clinical, Regulatory, Medical, HEOR, and Finance to integrate commercial perspectives into drug development.
• Support early brand development, including value propositions, positioning concepts, and go‑to‑market considerations.
• Contribute to business development assessments with commercial evaluations of external assets.

Key Core Competencies

• In‑depth knowledge of CNS/Neurology and relevant therapeutic areas, clinical development pathways, and payer/reimbursement considerations.
• Expertise in financial forecasting, TPPs, and market opportunity assessment.
• Strong relationship‑building, active listening, and influencing skills.
• Ability to work across multiple geographies and in matrixed organizations.
• Strategic thinking, structured problem‑solving, and data‑driven decision making.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and storytelling abilities.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity, fast‑paced environments, and within cross‑functional teams.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in biotech or pharmaceutical industry, in commercial planning, new product planning, or related strategic roles.
• Strong preference for experience in CNS/Neurology (e.g., Parkinson’s Disease, rare epilepsies, narcolepsy, retinitis pigmentosa).

Benefits and Compensation

• Base salary range: $197,400.00 – $246,800.00.
• Opportunities for merit‑based salary increases, short‑term incentive plan participation, and eligibility for 401(k) plan.
• Health benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
• Time‑off policy: flexible paid time off, 11 paid holidays, additional shutdown period during the last week of December, 80 hours of paid sick time upon hire and annually thereafter.

EEO Statement

Sumitomo Pharma America (SMPA) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital, domestic partnership, or civil union status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, veteran or military status, domestic violence victim status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.