Executive Director, External Scientific Collaboration, Global Oncology Medical Affairs

Join a Legacy of Innovation 125 Years and Counting!

Daiichi Sankyo Group is dedicated to the creation and supply of innovative pharmaceutical therapies to improve standards of care and address diversified, unmet medical needs of people globally by leveraging our world-class science and technology. With more than 125 years of scientific expertise and a presence in more than 20 countries, Daiichi Sankyo and its 18,000 employees around the world draw upon a rich legacy of innovation and a robust pipeline of promising new medicines to help people. In addition to a strong portfolio of medicines for cardiovascular diseases, under the Group’s 2025 Vision to become a “Global Pharma Innovator with Competitive Advantage in Oncology,” Daiichi Sankyo is primarily focused on providing novel therapies in oncology, as well as other research areas centered around rare diseases and immune disorders.  

Summary

The Executive Director, Global Oncology Medical Affairs, External Scientific Collaboration role will be part of the GOMA Leadership team and will be responsible for leading the development and execution of a holistic External Scientific Collaboration (ESC) strategy. The strategy should encompass DS's external strategic needs to partner with External Scientific Partners (ESPs): CGs, AROs, Community Research Groups and PAGs as well as top tier External Experts. This role and their team will partner closely across several functions within Global Oncology Medical Affairs, Regional Medical Affairs, R&D functions, RWE/HEOR, Discovery and Business Development as well as Oncology Business Unit Leadership Team, influencing the overall Global Oncology Medial Affairs and organizational strategies.

Responsibilities

- Strategic Planning Cross-Functional AlignmentDefine and align external scientific collaboration strategy across medical, RD, and enterprise partners to advance oncology objectives.

- Lead the development of a global External Scientific Collaboration (ESC) strategy in partnership with Medical and Cross-Functional Partners (Medical, Development, HEOR, Discovery, BD, Compliance, Legal) to define the DS external collaborations strategic priorities across diseases, assets and functions including CGs, AROs, CRGs, PAGs and top-tier KEEs.
- Leads ESC activities in alignment and collaboration with GMATs, MASTs, DASTs, and RD teams, ensuring ESC objectives are aligned and embedded in evidence generation, medical strategy, and clinical development plans, where appropriate. Gains strategic and planning alignment across regions and functions and supports Evidence Generation Teams (EGTs), as needed.
- Establish and operationalize cross-functional interfaces, including governance models and collaboration frameworks, to ensure shared accountability and maximize the value of ESCs.
- External Scientific Partner Engagement Relationship ManagementIdentify, prioritize, and cultivate long-term partnerships with ESPs to drive scientific innovation, data generation, and patient-centric outcomes.

- Develop and lead a global ESP Identification and tiering strategy across disease areas, medicines, and geographies, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and external opportunity landscapes.
- Design and implement differentiated engagement strategies to deliver clinical, scientific, patient, and enterprise-level impacts.
- Service as the executive sponsor and relationship steward for ESPs, building long-term credible partnerships with key ESPs ensuring DS is viewed as a top strategic, scientific, and clinical partner.
- Ensure seamless coordination within global and with regional and local affiliate medical affairs teams to ensure consistency in scientific messaging, relationship management for ESPs, and strategic execution across markets.
- Global Patient AdvocacyDrive global alignment on patient advocacy strategy and ensure integration of patient-centric approaches.

- Co-develop and execute a global Patient Advocacy Group engagement strategy in partnership with Regional PAG leads, ensuring alignment with enterprise objectives, and executing on the global components of the strategy, strengthening DS’s position as a patient-centric organization.
- Enterprise Leadership Medical ImpactLead cross-functional medical initiatives, shape strategic direction through external insights, and measure the value of ESCs across the organization.

- Actively contributing to the strategic direction and operational excellence of Global Oncology Medical Affairs, through acting as a member of the GOMA Leadership Team and contributing to the overall leadership of GOMA, influencing enterprise-wide medical initiatives and long-range planning.
- Bring insights from ESPs on the current and future treatment landscape and clinical/scientific interests to shape ESC and broader organizational strategy.
- Define and monitor KPIs associated with ESCs focusing on collaboration, data generation, and patient education to drive continuous improvement and organizational learning.

Qualifications:

Successful candidates will be able to meet the qualifications below with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Education Qualifications (from an accredited college or university)

- MD required or
- PharmD required or
- DO or other related doctorate degree required
- MBA preferred or
- Bachelor's Degree required Experience Qualifications

- 10 or More Years overall related experience required and
- experience in pharmaceutical industry and oncology required
- Multiple functions experience required and
- Experience in global, region and affiliate level. required
- Strong combination of scientific acumen and business acumen required
- Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strong relationships, including ability to influence and negotiate with senior level stakeholders, both internally and externally. required
- Strong understanding of evolving healthcare landscape required

Travel
Ability to travel up to 30% International Travel

Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Salary Range: