(USA-IL-Northbrook) Rx+ External Innovation Lead

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:**

+ This position collaborates with the members of Rx+BA to lead and support a wide range of initiatives in external innovation, including representing the Rx+ Business Accelerator at external events.

+ This position is responsible for processes and practices related to building relationships with external parties to enhance the value of R+ projects and Business Accelerator Programs (BAPs) and focused business areas aligned with the Rx+ strategic direction.

+ In addition, this position supports New Business Opportunity group members to identify external partners and/or novel technologies to address the needs of R+ projects and to conduct competitive analysis activities to determine the value-proposition of chosen solutions.

**Essential Job Responsibilities:**

Lead some parts of processes and practices for assigned function within the functions listed below in relation to VC and OBC activities based on the direction of New Business Opportunities head.

+ External Innovation

+ Acquire insights and establish strong networks in areas of strategic focus for Rx+ (e.g. digital health, medical device, chronic disease).

+ Lead evaluation of external ideas and opportunities and promote flexible approach for business design and implementation.

+ Execute partnerships with speed through support from internal stakeholders, including legal and Ideation and Incubation team.

+ Strategy & Communication

+ Plan the overall Rx+ NBO external innovation strategy (mid- and long-term strategy, annual plan): identify the focus areas, and implement and maintain optimal process to manage Rx+ portfolio and business ideas.

+ Promote effective and efficient communication with internal stakeholders to express technical/scientific and business opportunities to develop and refine the understanding and expertise in areas aligned to the Rx+ business.

+ Under oversight of Open Business Creation (OBC) team, build relationships with partner VCs and/or direct portfolio companies with a goal of understanding attractiveness of particular opportunities to the early-stage pipeline of the NBO team.

+ Assist NBO head in creating and maintaining an External Advisory Group to support evaluation of new business opportunities.

+ Represent Rx+ at conferences and meetings to communicate the interests and capabilities of Rx+.

+ Ideation and Incubation

+ Provide competitive intelligence analysis by identifying existing solutions on market and in development that meet the unmet needs being addressed by R+ and BAP projects and determining how they compare to internal business ideas.

+ Collaborate with Ideation & Incubation team to determine the best path forward and how to best leverage external assets and expertise

**Quantitative Dimensions**

This position is responsible for effective and efficient leading of a wide range of activities in relation to leveraging external opportunities and partners and that are important in driving R+ and BAP projects aligned with the Rx+ strategic direction.

+ Contribute to ideation and incubation processes and BAP acceleration to ensure consideration of external opportunities and expertise. Provide support for at least 3 R+ ideation projects per year to identify external opportunities.

+ Build capabilities across the team in understanding market trends and competitive technologies with a goal to create new products and businesses with clear value proposition for patients.

+ Participate in at least four external conferences and partnering meetings per year to showcase Rx+ BA and identify more than 50 attractive opportunities worldwide per year.

**Qualifications**

**Required**

+ Minimum of five years’ experience in pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, biotechnology, or medical devices.

+ Specific knowledge of the industry and understanding of latest trends for technology and market in the Rx+ business fields (e.g. digital/device/diagnosis/data).

+ Experience performing competitive analysis and developing a case for a clear value proposition.

+ Previous experience building partnerships with a variety of stakeholders is highly desirable

+ Proactive understanding of how to communicate with and present to internal relevant stakeholders and external experts worldwide.

+ Leadership presence; able to drive for results; operate tactically, team player and self-starter.

+ Excellent interpersonal and networking skills across multiple stakeholders to build lasting relationships and influence and negotiate with partners internally and externally.

+ Abilities to work with sense of speed under the multi-cultural environment

+ Intellectual curiosity to learn new areas for Rx+ business

+ Ability to make decisions and move forward in ambiguous situations

**Preferred**

+ Experience in working at a start-up or venture capital preferred

+ Post graduate qualification such as MSc or Equivalent in scientific/technical field or MBA is highly desirable

**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

Category Rx+ New Business Opportunities Group

Astellas is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment.

EOE including Disability/Protected Veterans