Senior Director, Commercial Excellence (Princeton Hybrid)

Position Overview

The Senior Director, Commercial Excellence is a key leadership role responsible for advancing commercial and organizational effectiveness, and strategic execution across the Nephrology, Immunology & Rare Diseases (NIRD) Business Unit. This individual will serve as a strategic partner and Chief of Staff to the SVP and Business Unit Head, NIR, driving cross-functional alignment, commercial capability development, business planning, operational excellence, and enterprise-wide initiatives that accelerate business growth and improve execution.

The role will lead the development and implementation of a multi-year Commercial Excellence roadmap encompassing strategic planning, launch readiness, field and marketing effectiveness, capability building, and business operations. The Senior Director will partner closely with Commercial, Medical Affairs, Market Access, Insights & Analytics, Finance, PBS, Legal, Compliance, and other key stakeholders to establish best-in-class commercial practices and ensure successful execution of business priorities.

The ideal candidate combines strategic thinking, operational rigor, commercial acumen, leadership capability, and a strong understanding of the pharmaceutical value chain to drive sustainable growth and organizational excellence.

 

Key Responsibilities

 

Strategic Business Leadership & Chief of Staff

Serve as a strategic advisor and Chief of Staff to the SVP & Business Unit Head, NIR.

Lead and/or support business unit governance processes, leadership team meetings, and strategic planning cycles, ensuring alignment on priorities, decisions, risks, and execution.

Facilitate cross-functional collaboration and drive accountability for critical business initiatives and enterprise priorities.

Develop executive-level communications, presentations, and updates for senior leadership and key stakeholders.

 

Commercial Excellence Strategy & Execution

Develop and execute a Commercial Excellence roadmap aligned with business unit objectives and portfolio needs.

Identify and implement capabilities, frameworks, tools, and processes that improve commercial performance, customer engagement, and organizational effectiveness.

Lead strategic initiatives that enhance business agility, simplify execution, and strengthen decision-making across the commercial organization.

Partner with Finance and Business Unit leadership to support budgeting, forecasting, resource allocation, and investment decision-making.

Manage strategic vendor relationships and external partnerships to ensure efficient and effective execution of commercial activities.

Ensure governance, compliance, and operational discipline across commercial initiatives.

 

Strategic Planning & Launch Excellence

Establish and lead an integrated approach to strategic brand planning across the NIR portfolio.

Provide teams with planning frameworks, tools, governance, and best practices to improve strategic rigor and execution.

Partner with cross-functional teams to support launch planning and launch readiness activities for new indications, products, and lifecycle management initiatives.

 

Commercial Effectiveness & Performance Management

Develop and oversee key performance indicators (KPIs), performance dashboards, and business reviews that measure progress against strategic objectives.

Identify opportunities to improve commercial productivity, operational efficiency, revenue growth, and return on investment.

Establish processes and frameworks that enhance field force effectiveness, omnichannel engagement, and customer experience.

 

Commercial Capability Building

Partner with Commercial Leadership, PBS, and Field Training & Development to identify future-state competencies required for commercial success.

Design and implement learning programs, development experiences, and career pathways that strengthen organizational capabilities.

 

Qualifications

 

Education & Experience

Bachelor's degree required, MBA or advanced degree preferred

10+ years of progressive experience within the pharmaceutical, biotech, or healthcare industry.

Multi-functional experience spanning commercial strategy, brand marketing, commercial operations, business planning, and/or commercial excellence.

Experience supporting specialty, rare disease, nephrology, immunology, or highly complex therapeutic areas preferred.

Demonstrated success leading cross-functional strategic initiatives and organizational transformation efforts.

Experience serving as a strategic advisor or Chief of Staff to senior executives preferred.

Proven experience building organizational capabilities, implementing process improvements, and driving measurable business outcomes.

Deep understanding of the pharmaceutical commercial business model and value chain.

Strong business acumen, financial literacy, forecasting, and resource planning capabilities.

Proven ability to drive alignment and execution within complex matrix organizations.

Expertise in commercial analytics, KPI development, and data-driven decision-making.

Exceptional leadership, communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.

Strong project and portfolio management capabilities.

Competencies

Accountability for Results - Stay focused on key strategic objectives, be accountable for high standards of performance, and take an active role in leading change.

Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving - Make decisions considering the long-term impact to customers, patients, employees, and the business.

Patient & Customer Centricity - Maintain an ongoing focus on the needs of our customers and/or key stakeholders.

Impactful Communication -  Communicate with logic, clarity, and respect. Influence at all levels to achieve the best results for Otsuka.

Respectful Collaboration - Seek and value others’ perspectives and strive for diverse partnerships to enhance work toward common goals.

Empowered Development - Play an active role in professional development as a business imperative.

Minimum $230,720.00 - Maximum $345,000.00, plus incentive opportunity: The range shown represents a typical pay range or starting pay for individuals who are hired in the role to perform in the United States. Other elements may be used to determine actual pay such as the candidate’s job experience, specific skills, and comparison to internal incumbents currently in role. Typically, actual pay will be positioned within the established range, rather than at its minimum or maximum. This information is provided to applicants in accordance with states and local laws.

Application Deadline : This will be posted for a minimum of 5 business days.

Company benefits:  Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, company provided basic life, accidental death & dismemberment, short-term and long-term disability insurance, tuition reimbursement, student loan assistance, a generous 401(k) match, flexible time off, paid holidays, and paid leave programs as well as other company provided benefits.

Come discover more about Otsuka and our benefit offerings;  https://ah-prod.com/multi/videoplayer/player.html?v=6385356920112 .

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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 be given consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, national origin, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation, if you are unable or limited in your ability to apply to this job opening as a result of your disability.  You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting EEAccommodations@otsuka-us.com .

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