Director, Strategic Planning & Effectiveness – Oncology Portfolio

Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd., is a global pharmaceutical company based in Japan with operations in the U.S. (Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc.), focused on addressing patient needs in oncology, urology, women's health, rare diseases, cell & gene therapies and CNS. With several marketed products and a diverse pipeline of early- to late-stage investigational assets, we aim to accelerate discovery, research, and development to bring novel therapies to patients sooner. For more information on SMPA, visit our website https://www.us.sumitomo-pharma.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

Job Overview

We are seeking a strategic, collaborative, and execution-focused leader to join us as Director, Strategic Planning & Effectiveness – Oncology Portfolio. This role is a critical driver of strategic alignment, operational discipline, and business productivity across SMPA’s oncology franchise, including Orgovyx and emerging assets.

Reporting to the VP, Marketing – Oncology, the Director will lead strategic planning processes, streamline execution across functions, and ensure cross-functional alignment on key business initiatives. The successful candidate will partner closely with Brand, Sales, Commercial Excellence, Market Access, Medical Affairs, and other teams to translate strategy into action, foster commercial innovation, and accelerate portfolio performance.

This position is ideal for a leader who thrives at the intersection of strategy and execution – connecting high-level business objectives to efficient, effective, and impactful delivery.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Portfolio Alignment

• Lead the annual and long-range strategic planning processes for the oncology portfolio, ensuring clear priorities, measurable goals, and integration with SMPA’s corporate strategy.
• Develop and manage portfolio-level planning frameworks, timelines, and governance to ensure consistency and clarity across brands.
• Partner with brand leads to connect strategic objectives to tactical execution, ensuring alignment across all oncology assets.

Business Efficiency & Execution Excellence

• Identify and implement opportunities to simplify and improve key business processes (e.g., brand planning, tactical execution, performance tracking, launch readiness).
• Enhance cross-functional collaboration by creating efficient workflows and communication mechanisms across Brand, Sales, Commercial Excellence, and other teams.
• Lead initiatives that drive productivity, resource optimization, and business impact while maintaining agility and focus on critical priorities.
• Support VP, Marketing – Oncology in orchestrating major initiatives such as portfolio strategy, launch readiness, field engagement, and commercial innovation.

Cross-Functional Integration & Governance

• Serve as the connective tissue across oncology functions, ensuring coordinated execution of strategic initiatives.
• Facilitate leadership forums, planning meetings, and reviews that drive decision-making, accountability, and progress toward business goals.
• Align with Commercial Excellence and Finance on key metrics and performance dashboards to measure portfolio health and guide strategic decisions.

Insights & Strategic Foresight

• Synthesize business performance data, market insights, and competitive intelligence into actionable recommendations for senior leadership.
• Identify emerging risks, opportunities, and operational gaps, and collaborate with stakeholders to develop data-driven solutions.
• Support executive communications and presentations that articulate portfolio strategy, progress, and performance with clarity and impact.

Leadership & Culture

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the VP, Marketing – Oncology and other senior leaders, ensuring strategic clarity and organizational alignment.
• Foster a culture of transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement within the oncology commercial organization.
• Mentor and develop team members, building capability in strategic planning, business management, and cross-functional leadership.

Key Core Competencies

• Strategic mindset with strong business acumen and the ability to connect strategy to execution.
• Proven experience driving efficiency, simplification, and process improvement within a commercial or portfolio context.
• Exceptional communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence across functions and levels.
• Skilled in managing complex initiatives and bringing structure to ambiguity.
• Deep understanding of commercial strategy and portfolio management in the biotech or pharmaceutical industry.
• Proactive, collaborative, and solutions-oriented with a bias toward action.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 8–12 years (with Master’s) or 10–15 years (without Master’s) of relevant experience in biotech or pharmaceutical industry.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in commercial operations, brand planning, marketing strategy, or field support required.
• Proven track record of leading cross-functional initiatives and supporting high-performing commercial teams.
• Oncology or specialty pharma experience is a plus.
• Willingness to travel (20%).

The base salary range for this role is $216,000 to $270,000. Base salary is part of our total rewards package which also includes the opportunity for merit-based salary increases, short incentive plan participation, eligibility for our 401(k) plan, medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurances and leaves provided in line with your work state. Our robust time-off policy includes flexible paid time off, 11 paid holidays plus additional time off for a shut-down period during the last week of December, 80 hours of paid sick time upon hire and each year thereafter. Total compensation, including base salary to be offered, will depend on elements unique to each candidate, including candidate experience, skills, education and other factors permitted by law.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Confidential Data: All information (written, verbal, electronic, etc.) that an employee encounters is considered confidential.

Compliance: Achieve and maintain Compliance with all applicable regulatory, legal and operational rules and procedures, by ensuring that all plans and activities for and on behalf of Sumitomo Pharma America (SMPA) and affiliates are carried out with the "best" industry practices and the highest ethical standards.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Mental/Physical Requirements: Fast paced environment handling multiple demands. Must be able to exercise appropriate judgment as necessary. Requires a high level of initiative and independence. Excellent written and oral communication skills required. Requires ability to use a personal computer for extended periods of time.

Sumitomo Pharma America (SMPA) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) 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; affectional or sexual orientation; disability; veteran or military status or liability for military status; domestic violence victim status; atypical cellular or blood trait; genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing) or any other characteristic protected by law.