Director, Specialty Operations

Job Profile Summary

This position will be responsible for Specialty Operations at OAPI. The position will report to the Executive Director, Channel Strategy and Fulfillment.

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Director of Specialty Operations to lead and oversee the operations for the launch of a new, ultra-orphan, specialty product. This role will be pivotal in building, optimizing, and managing all aspects of a highly integrated specialty operations model, while ensuring alignment with the product’s brand strategy. The Director will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Brand Marketing and Access Strategy, Data & Analytics, Sales, Patient Access, Key Account Management, Medical Affairs, and Regulatory, to integrate pharmacy operations seamlessly into the broader product launch strategy.

Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Planning & Leadership:

·        Lead the development and execution of operational strategies for the launch of a new specialty product which will include specialty distribution, hub capabilities and pharmacy services, ensuring alignment with overall business objectives and product goals.

·        Develop a comprehensive specialty operations strategy, including processes for product distribution, buy-n-bill, dispensing, patient support programs, reimbursement, and logistics, to ensure a successful product launch.

·        Act as the primary point of contact for all specialty model considerations during the launch phase, providing guidance to internal and external stakeholders.

·        Support site-of-care coordination strategies that enable scalable therapy delivery, reimbursement readiness, and efficient operational execution.

·        Lead operational planning related to medical benefit reimbursement, coding transitions, provider reimbursement readiness, and long-term reimbursement sustainability across institutional settings.

·        Develop operational strategies that support longitudinal patient continuity as patients transition across payer types, care settings, and increasing disease complexity over time.

·        Establish governance structures and escalation pathways across specialty pharmacy, specialty distribution, HUB services, institutional providers, and internal stakeholders to ensure aligned operational execution and patient visibility.

 Collaboration with Brand Marketing and Access Strategy & Cross-Functional Teams:

·        Partner closely with Brand Marketing and Access Strategy to align marketing initiatives with specialty model considerations/operations, ensuring that the distributor/pharmacy component supports and enhances the overall product positioning and launch plans.

·        Collaborate with Marketing and Patient Access teams to drive customer-centric programs and initiatives, such as educational materials, patient support, and engagement strategies.

·        Work with Sales, Medical Affairs, Market Access, and Account Management teams to ensure smooth integration of pharmacy operations into product launch activities and delivery workflows.

·        Partner cross-functionally with Legal, Compliance, Government Pricing, Finance, and Market Access to ensure operational support models align with applicable reimbursement, pricing, and compliance requirements.

·        Partner with institutional providers and Centers of Excellence to support operational readiness, procurement coordination, reimbursement workflows, and treatment continuity across varying site-of-care models.

Operational Management & Oversight:

·        Oversee the day-to-day operations of the specialty distribution network, ensuring compliance with regulations, industry standards, and best practices.

·        Implement effective workflows for order processing, patient enrollment, care coordination, patient services and drug distribution to ensure high-quality, efficient service delivery.

·        Identify and mitigate operational risks that may impact launch timelines or product performance.

Performance Metrics & Reporting:

·        Develop key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of specialty pharmacy operations, tracking launch success, patient outcomes, and service delivery metrics.

·        Oversee development of operational dashboards and reporting capabilities related to patient progression, reimbursement status, treatment persistence, escalation management, and channel performance.

·        Prepare regular performance reports and provide insights to senior leadership on progress toward operational and business goals.

·        Lead quarterly business reviews/evaluations with all related vendors

Team Development & Management:

·        Lead, mentor, and develop a team, ensuring they are equipped to support the product launch and long-term business objectives.

·        Foster a culture of continuous improvement, customer-centricity, and operational excellence within the team.

Qualifications/ Required Knowledge/ Experience, Skills and Educational Qualifications:
Required/Preferred:

·        Pharmacy Degree preferred

·        Experience supporting ultra-rare, specialty, or medical benefit therapies with complex reimbursement and longitudinal patient management requirements

Qualifications:

·        Education: Bachelor's or Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree required. MBA or related advanced degree preferred.

·        Experience: 5-7 years of experience in specialty model development/operations, preferably having launched a product and managing direct reports.

·        Proven experience in managing cross-functional teams, including Brand Marketing and Access Strategy, product management, and patient services.

·        Deep knowledge of specialty operating models, medical benefit reimbursement, specialty distribution, specialty pharmacy, HUB services, buy-and-bill economics, and site-of-care delivery models, including operational considerations across outpatient and institutional settings.

·        Demonstrated understanding of operational governance across multiple external vendors and institutional stakeholders preferred

·        Skills & Competencies: Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.

·        Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate with diverse teams and stakeholders.

·        Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.

·        Knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry, healthcare regulations, and patient-centric programs.

·        Proven track record of driving operational improvements and delivering results.

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 $186,489.00 - Maximum $278,875.00, 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.

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.

Join Our Talent Community: Stay connected with Otsuka by joining our Talent Community. Tell us about your interests, and we’ll notify you about future opportunities that align with your background. https://community.hireez.com/cielo-otsuka/82cb3591

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 [email protected]. 

Statement Regarding Job Recruiting Fraud Scams

At Otsuka we take security and protection of your personal information very seriously. Please be aware individuals may approach you and falsely present themselves as our employees or representatives.  They may use this false pretense to try to gain access to your personal information or acquire money from you by offering fictitious employment opportunities purportedly on our behalf.

Please understand, Otsuka will never ask for financial information of any kind or for payment of money during the job application process. We do not require any financial, credit card or bank account information and/or any payment of any kind to be considered for employment. We will also not offer you money to buy equipment, software, or for any other purpose during the job application process. If you are being asked to pay or offered money for equipment fees or some other application processing fee, even if claimed you will be reimbursed, this is not Otsuka. These claims are fraudulent and you are strongly advised to exercise caution when you receive such an offer of employment.

Otsuka will also never ask you to download a third-party application in order to communicate about a legitimate job opportunity. Scammers may also send offers or claims from a fake email address or from Yahoo, Gmail, Hotmail, etc, and not from an official Otsuka email address. Please take extra caution while examining such an email address, as the scammers may misspell an official Otsuka email address and use a slightly modified version duplicating letters.

To ensure that you are communicating about a legitimate job opportunity at Otsuka, please only deal directly with Otsuka through its official Otsuka Career website https://vhr-otsuka.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/External.

Otsuka will not be held liable or responsible for any claims, losses, damages or expenses resulting from job recruiting scams. If you suspect a position is fraudulent, please contact Otsuka’s call center at: 800-363-5670. If you believe you are the victim of fraud resulting from a job recruiting scam, please contact the FBI through the Internet Crime Complaint Center at: https://www.ic3.gov,  or your local authorities.

Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Inc., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., and Otsuka Precision Health, Inc. (“Otsuka”) does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities.  All CVs/resumes submitted by search firms to any Otsuka employee directly or through Otsuka’s application portal without a valid written search agreement in place for the position will be considered Otsuka’s sole property.  No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired by Otsuka as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.