Do you want to be part of an inclusive team that works to develop innovative therapies for patients? Every day, we are driven to develop and deliver innovative and effective new medicines to patients and physicians. If you want to be part of this exciting work, you belong at Astellas! Astellas Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company conducting business in more than 70 countries around the world. We are committed to turning innovative science into medical solutions that bring value and hope to patients and their families. Keeping our focus on addressing unmet medical needs and conducting our business with ethics and integrity enables us to improve the health of people throughout the world. For more information on Astellas, please visit our website at www.astellas.com . This position is based in Northbrook, Illinois. Remote work from certain states may be permitted in accordance with Astellas’ Responsible Flexibility Guidelines. Candidates interested in remote work are encouraged to apply. **Purpose and Scope:** The Scientific & Innovation Strategy Lead will play a critical role in shaping and executing the strategic direction of the Quantitative Sciences, Evidence Generation & Advanced Analytics (QSEQ) group, reporting directly to the SVP, QSEQ. This role requires a proactive leader with a strong scientific background in R&D, capable of providing a holistic view across QSEQ’s diverse sub-functions—including Data Management, Clinical Data Enabling, Biostatistics, Programming, Methodology team, Real-World Evidence (RWE), Advanced Analytics, Epidemiology, Medical Writing, and Scientific Communication. This position will collaborate closely with all QSEQ sub-functional heads to develop data-driven strategies and quantitative methodologies that streamline drug development and regulatory processes. Additionally, the role will work with the SVP to enhance the influence of QSEQ across cross-functional key stakeholders, ensuring that QSEQ’s expertise is effectively integrated into broader corporate strategies, innovation forums, and decision-making processes. **Essential Job Responsibilities:** + Support the SVP in developing and executing a comprehensive QSEQ strategy, ensuring alignment across Data Management, Data Systems, Biostatistics, programming, RWE, Advanced Analytics, Epidemiology, Medical Writing, and Scientific Communication. + Facilitate collaboration among QSEQ sub-functional heads, ensuring an integrated approach to quantitative methodologies, data-driven decision-making, and innovation in drug development. + Develop and implement strategic initiatives to enhance QSEQ’s influence and visibility across clinical operation, clinical development, regulatory, pharmacovigilance, medical affairs, and commercial functions. + Support data-driven decision-making by working with QSEQ leadership to identify key opportunities where quantitative methodologies and advanced analytics can optimize drug development strategies. + Work closely with cross-functional leaders to ensure QSEQ’s contributions are recognized and incorporated into corporate priorities, governance, and portfolio decision-making. + Lead key strategic and innovation projects, ensuring efficient execution, stakeholder alignment, and measurable impact. + Serve as a key liaison between QSEQ and internal innovation initiatives, representing QSEQ in company-wide forums and helping shape discussions on data science, digital transformation, and emerging methodologies. + Help optimize QSEQ’s operating model, ensuring efficient resource allocation, process standardization, and best practices in project execution and scientific communication. + Drive cross-functional engagement and influence, ensuring QSEQ’s insights are leveraged in clinical trial design, regulatory submissions, health economics, and real-world data applications. + Support change management efforts, ensuring seamless adoption of new technologies, data platforms, and analytical methodologies within QSEQ. + Act as a thought partner to the SVP, providing insights and recommendations on how QSEQ can maximize its impact across drug development and R&D decision-making. + Lead the organization of strategic QSEQ forums, leadership meetings, and cross-functional workshops, ensuring productive discussions and clear action plans. + Monitor industry trends and best practices in real-world evidence, advanced analytics, biostatistics, and regulatory science, translating them into actionable strategies for QSEQ. **Qualifications:** **Required** + PhD, MD, or Master’s degree in a scientific discipline (e.g., Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Data Science, Bioinformatics, Public Health, or a related field). Minimal 10 years after advance degree in industry or academic related field. + Strong scientific and strategic background in pharmaceutical R&D, clinical development, or quantitative sciences, with a track record of driving innovation and strategic initiatives. + Experience in data-driven decision-making, advanced analytics, and quantitative methodologies applied to drug development and regulatory processes. + Strong project management skills, with a proven ability to execute complex cross-functional initiatives involving multiple stakeholders. + Ability to connect diverse sub-functions within QSEQ and drive integration across Biostatistics, RWE, Data Management, Epidemiology, and Medical Writing. + Proven experience collaborating with senior leadership and influencing cross-functional stakeholders, including clinical development, regulatory, and commercial teams. + Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate complex quantitative insights into actionable strategies. + Strong leadership skills, with the ability to drive organizational change, innovation, and continuous improvement. **Preferred** + Experience working with global teams and regulatory authorities (FDA, EMA, PMDA) on quantitative and real-world evidence-driven decision-making. + Familiarity with corporate innovation frameworks, digital transformation strategies, and advanced analytics applications in drug development. + Previous experience in strategy, corporate development, or management consulting within the life sciences industry. + Understanding of enterprise data systems, AI/ML applications in healthcare, and real-world data integration for clinical and commercial insights. **Salary Range** $220,000 – $280,000 (NOTE: Final salary could be more or less, based on experience) **Benefits:** + Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance + Generous Paid Time Off options, including Vacation, Sick time, plus national holidays including Heritage Days, and Summer and Winter Breaks + 401(k) match and annual company contribution + Company paid life insurance + Annual Corporate Bonus and Quarterly Sales Incentive for eligible positions + Long Term Incentive Plan for eligible positions + Referral bonus program \#LI-CH1 Category Quantitative Sciences & Evidence Generation Astellas is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment. EOE including Disability/Protected Veterans