Senior Director – GRA Development & Product Strategy Team Lead

Kyowa Kirin is a fast-growing global specialty pharmaceutical company that applies state-of-the-art biotechnologies to discover and deliver novel medicines in four disease areas: bone and mineral; intractable hematologic; hematology oncology; and rare disease.  A Japan-based company, our goal is to translate science into smiles by delivering therapies where no adequate treatments currently exist, working from drug discovery to product development and commercialization. In North America, we are headquartered in Princeton, NJ, with offices in California, North Carolina, and Mississauga, Ontario.

Summary:

The Senior Director, GRA Development & Product Strategy Team Lead is responsible for the developing and implementing regulatory strategies, while leading people amd managing global projects. This role oversees a team of Global Regulatory Leads (GRL) supporting global products and may serve as a Regional Regulatory Lead (RRL) based on business needs.

Essential Functions:

•    Define and drive global regulatory strategies for all products within the assigned disease area, ensuring alignment with enterprise objectives and maximizing product value.
•    Lead and develop a team of Global Regulatory Leads (GRLs), setting direction, building capabilities, and fostering a high-performance, accountable culture.
•    Shape and integrate regulatory strategy into global product development and lifecycle plans in close partnership with cross-functional stakeholders.
•    Oversee and ensure execution of regulatory strategies, including global submissions, approvals, and post-approval activities across assigned products and projects.
•    Direct and represent the organization in interactions with health authorities, including leading negotiations and overseeing agency meeting strategy and execution.
•    Guide and approve global regulatory submission plans, including marketing applications, labeling (e.g., CCDS), and key lifecycle deliverables.
•    Manage and coordinate regulatory activities, timelines, and deliverables across internal teams and external partners, ensuring alignment and on-time execution.
•    Ensure compliance with global regulatory requirements, internal policies, and GxP standards, including support for inspections, audits, and governance processes.
•    Assess and communicate regulatory risks, emerging trends, and competitive intelligence, escalating issues and recommending mitigation strategies as appropriate.
•    Drive operational excellence by leading process improvements, standardization efforts (e.g., SOPs/WIs), and adoption of best practices across Regulatory Affairs.
•    Oversee external partnerships and due diligence activities, including vendor selection, alliance management, and regulatory support for business development transactions.
•    Contribute to organizational leadership, including participation in RA Functional Teams (RAFTs), budget oversight, and fostering collaboration across Regulatory Affairs and the broader organization.
•    Establish and maintain global labeling strategy, including oversight of Company Core Data Sheet (CCDS) development and alignment with regional labeling requirements.
•    Allocate and optimize regulatory resources across the portfolio, ensuring effective prioritization and support for key business objectives.
•    Recruit and build organizational capability by leading talent acquisition, succession planning, and ongoing training initiatives within the regulatory function.
•    Ensure alignment with Vision 2030, company Core Values, Kabegoe Principles, and the Global Regulatory Affairs Vision.

Requirements:

Education

Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, pharmacy, or a related scientific discipline required.  Advanced degree (e.g., MS, PhD, PharmD, MBA) is preferred but not required; relevant industry experience may be considered in lieu of advanced education.

Experience

•    Minimum 12+ years extensive regulatory affairs experience within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or related industry, including global development and lifecycle management, with a focus on bone and mineral disease areas. 
•    Proven leadership experience, including managing and developing high-performing regulatory teams and/or leading through other leaders (e.g., GRLs)
•    Demonstrated success in developing and executing global regulatory strategies across multiple regions and product stages (development through post-approval)
•    Significant experience interacting with health authorities, including leading regulatory agency meetings and negotiations
•    Cross-functional leadership experience, with a strong track record of influencing stakeholders and driving alignment across complex, matrixed organizations
•    Experience supporting business development activities, including regulatory due diligence for in-licensing, out-licensing, or partnerships Strong collaboration across cross-functional teams including regulatory affairs, government affairs, clinical, legal, and R&D.

Technical Skills

•    Deep knowledge of global regulatory frameworks and guidelines, including major markets (e.g., FDA, EMA, ICH,PMDA) and their application to drug development and lifecycle management
•    Expertise in regulatory submissions and approvals, including INDs/CTAs, NDAs/BLAs/MAAs, and post-approval variations
•    Strong understanding of global labeling requirements, including development and maintenance of Company Core Data Sheets (CCDS)
•    Advanced regulatory strategy development and risk management skills, with the ability to anticipate challenges and drive solutions
•    Familiarity with GxP requirements and regulatory compliance standards, including inspection and audit readiness
•    Proficiency in regulatory systems, tools, and document management platforms used for submissions, tracking, and compliance
•    Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
•    Exceptional communication and influencing skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex regulatory strategies, risks, and requirements to diverse audiences, including health authorities, senior leadership, and cross-functional teams, to drive alignment and informed decision-making.
•    Strong proficiency MS Office Suite.

Working Conditions:

Requires up to domestic and international travel.

The anticipated salary for this position will be $265,000-$285,000. The actual salary offered for this role at commencement of employment may vary based on several factors including but not limited to relevant experience, skill set, qualifications, education (including applicable licenses and certifications, job-based knowledge, location, and other business and organizational needs.

The listed salary is just one component of the overall compensation package. At Kyowa Kirin North America we provide a comprehensive range of benefits including:

• 401K with company match
• Annual Bonus Program (Sales Bonus for Sales Jobs)
• Generous PTO and Holiday Schedule which includes Summer and Winter Shut-Downs, Sick Days and, Volunteer Days
• Healthcare Benefits (Medical, Dental, Prescription Drugs and Vision)
• HSA & FSA Programs
• Well-Being and Work/Life Programs
• Life & Disability Insurance
• Concierge Services
• Long Term Incentive Program (subject to job level and performance)
• Pet Insurance
• Tuition Assistance
• Employee Referral Awards

The compensation and benefits information set forth in this posting applies to candidates hired in the United States. Candidates hired outside the United States will be eligible for compensation and benefits in accordance with their local market.

KKNA and all of its employees have an obligation to act in accordance with the law and with integrity in all our operations and interactions

It is the policy of Kyowa Kirin North America, Inc. to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, religion, creed, color, pregnancy, sex, age, national origin, disability, genetic trait or predisposition, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation or affection preference or citizenship status or any other category protected by law.

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Recruitment & Staffing Agencies

Kyowa Kirin does not accept agency resumes unless contacted directly by internal Kyowa Kirin Talent Acquisition. Please do not forward resumes to Kyowa Kirin employees or any other company location; Kyowa Kirin is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

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