Hematology & Early Dev Oncology TA Vice President

【Job Description】

The Japan Therapy Area Head (J-TA head) in R&D Japan is overall accountable for delivery of all projects strategy led by Product Leaders (PLs) in the relevant TA.  The J-TA Head leads the R&D Japan TA division, which consists the Product Leaders Project Physicians, and Clinical Scientist and oversees TA-specific teams under each TA Head.

The J-TA Head is responsible for providing TA and Disease Area (DA) expertise & input to relevant TALT for the TA/DA strategy development. The J-TA Head is accountable for the Japan TA portfolio strategy and prioritizes the projects within the responsible TA from the view points of the resource, PTS, eNPV and the cannibalization of the values among the projects.

The J-TA Head is responsible for the development of the PL(s) and TA-specific team leaders.

The J-TA head ensure the group delivers the required business contribution within agreed manpower and revenue budgets.

【Accountabilities/Responsibilities - Drug Project Environment】

TA strategy(ies), DA strategy(ies) and product development strategy(ies) are in line with

■TALT business objectives, securing optimum market access of the TA pipeline

・Lead definition and revision of Japan TA division objectives for product development.

・Lead definition and revision of Japan TA division objectives for product development.

・With global colleagues co-create the TA and/or DA strategy, and refine as necessary

・Lead PL(s) and ensure to co-create the development strategy for relevant product(s) for key Investment Decisions (IDs) ie.CSID, P2ID, P3ID, COMMID for senior leadership/governance body

・Lead Japan input to relevant TALT, GMed, iMed, Medi teams & communicate broad business context to Japan based colleagues

・Lead PL(s) to ensure to deliver tactical, cross-functional Japan development options and business cases, differing in risk, time and/or cost that are aligned with product strategy and challenges to ensure that they are robust and competitive 

・Lead PL(s) and ensure to co-create the development strategy for relevant product(s) for key Investment Decisions (IDs) ie.CSID, P2ID, P3ID, COMMID for senior leadership/governance body

・Lead Japan input to relevant TALT, GMed, iMed, Medi teams & communicate broad business context to Japan based colleagues

・Lead PL(s) to ensure to deliver tactical, cross-functional Japan development options and business cases, differing in risk, time and/or cost that are aligned with product strategy and challenges to ensure that they are robust and competitive 

■Local Scientific Leadership

・Develop knowledge of and use local market understanding to identify gaps between market need(s) and AZ portfolio or AZ capabilities

・Develop a future view of how local market needs may change and use this when creating strategy(ies) with global colleagues

・Be accountable for the local TA, DA, and products Ad Bds that are lead by the MSD.

■Risk and opportunity management across the TA

・Ensure a cross-functional risk and opportunity management process within the TA portfolio led by Therapeutic Area Project Manager (TAPM)

・Ensure that mitigation and contingency actions are agreed, activated, communicated and delivered as required

・Collaborate with other J-TA Head(s) to develop a view of cross portfolio risks and opportunities

■TA division effectiveness; associated Project Team(s) effectiveness, interfaces and communication to support effective delivery

・Ensure effective TA division management that division norms and ways of working are defined and followed

・Ensure effective communication and documentation within TA division and within Project Team(s) led by Product Leader(s)

・Ensure the TA contribution to the ‘portfolio reporting’ cycle including quarterly risk reporting to R&D Japan LT, product briefs and monthly snapshots, pipeline updates etc

・Guide TA division in understanding and integration of new business policies, initiatives and capabilities into TA division ways of working and into relevant product development plan delivery

■Contributing to the evaluation of external assets through the deal flow process

・Ensure the quality of Japan R&D elements for relevant external asset evaluation

【Requirements】

■Required Experience

・At least 10 years of drug development experiences

・In-depth knowledge of at least one Therapy Area

・Demonstrated leadership and management capability, with track record of successful results.

・History of successfully leading delivery of significant cross-functional activities (eg. regulatory submission, clinical development program etc)

・Proven ability to transition between roles effectively and learn rapidly in a new environment

■Preferred Experience

・Line management  experience in an R&D function

・Functional representative on global product development team(s)

・Experience of the R&D externalization deal flow process and delivery with an alliance partner

■Skills and Capabilities

・Ability to actively deploy a range of influencing and leadership styles inc. Visionary Leadership

・Ability to effectively manage team climate and dynamics in a cross functional and crosscultural setting

・Strategic Influencing – through well thought out rationale and effective communication skills, able to influence key decisions. 

・Communication skills – knows when and how to communicate, using strong interpersonal skills and written communications when appropriate, to build trust, engagement and avoid resistance etc.

・Conceptual Thinking – taking the longer term and global perspective into consideration and developing broad-scale objectives.

・Analytical Thinking - logically breaking situations or issues down into their essential elements; carrying out diagnosis and developing solutions.

・Ability to engage and gain commitment – effectively uses interpersonal abilities to build relationships and gain acceptance of ideas

・Builds effective partnerships – identifies opportunities and takes actions to build effective relationships within team and with other areas

・Coach and mentor to others – sought out to mentor others and identifies as well as develops talent, with commitment to learning and personal development.

・The ability to work in a complex, business critical and high profile environment building credibility in ambiguous situations.

・Fluency in business English required.

【Location】

Osaka or Tokyo

Date Posted

27-7月-2026

Closing Date

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity.  We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills.  We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.  We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics.  We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.