Lead, Strategic Operations

Astellas Pharma; Singapore; Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Strategic Operations Lead to drive transformative initiatives across the International Markets. This role requires a seasoned professional with a strong background in the pharma sector or consulting, capable of delivering strategic projects that significantly impact business outcomes. You will collaborate closely with senior leaders, manage multiple projects, and ensure alignment on strategic goals. The position offers a hybrid working model, promoting a healthy work/life balance while empowering you to make a meaningful difference in the organization.

Benefits

Hybrid working model

Work/life balance initiatives

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in the pharma sector or consulting.
• Ability to develop executive-level presentations summarizing complex data.

Responsibilities

• Support the Head of Strategic Operations in establishing responsive business strategies.
• Lead execution of strategic initiatives through business case creation and planning.

Skills

Strategic Planning

Project Management

Financial Analysis

Change Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

MBA or equivalent

Tools

Analytical Tools

Job description

At Astellas, we believe that nurturing exceptional relationships with our employees delivers exceptional business results.

Everyone at Astellas has a responsibility for creating a brighter future for patients around the world. From the first moment, Astellas will inspire you to put this ethos into practice – with a positive, agile company culture and with well-defined ethical principles, values and systems.

Everything we do is led by our company values of integrity, being patient centric, taking ownership, delivering results and communicating openly. These values are essential to Astellas’ relationship with its employees and now is an exciting time to join us as we continue to evolve as a cutting-edge, value driven life sciences innovator.

Purpose of the Position:

As a Strategic Operations Lead within the International Markets Region, the primary objective of the role is to drive the successful planning and execution of strategic and transformation region-wide initiatives across International Markets, which comprises Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Middle-east and Africa regions.

Working as part of a small, high performing team, the Strategic Operations Lead works closely with the International Markets President, the Head of Strategic Operations and the wider Leadership team to deliver on the strategic priorities of the region, such as expanding the company's entry area, searching for new partners, and optimizing the selection and concentration of management resources / preparing exit plans for non-focus countries with low potential.

They are accountable for end-to-end project delivery, including governance, financial and operational analysis, and cross-functional alignment across affiliates. They play a critical role in developing and shaping strategic initiatives and ensuring initiatives are delivered with strategic clarity & operational rigor, enabling significant measurable impact for the region.

Responsibilities

• Support the Head of Strategic Operations in establishing a responsive business strategy that adapts to environmental changes and promotes growth, including expanding entry areas, seeking new partners, and optimizing management resources or exit plans for low-potential countries.
• Lead the execution of multiple strategic initiatives through:
• business case creation and pre-project activities to facilitate strategic change and implementation across the territory.
• financial forecast modeling and strategic Target Operating Model (TOM) design to support decision-making using analytical tools and presentations.
• planning projects through to completion or hand-off to Business As Usual (BAU), following Astellas processes, methodologies, and templates.
• Liaise with key stakeholders to ensure clarity and alignment on strategic goals.
• Build relationships with senior leaders across Astellas, including General Managers, Affiliate Leadership Teams, and cross-functional leaders.
• Deliver strategic projects on time and within the projected business case, identifying resource needs, preparing project roadmaps, and delivering business impact.
• Support reporting and area-wide communication and collaboration to drive value and engagement across affiliates.
• Monitor project-related threats and risks, proposing early corrective actions and escalating as appropriate.
• Lead pre-launch and in-flight project analysis where applicable.
• Manage larger projects throughout their lifecycle, including risk and issue management, decision tracking, and outcome planning.

Requirements

• 7+ years of experience in the pharma sector or consulting.
• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience, with the ability to co-create, structure, and deliver strategic initiatives across teams, divisions, and regions.
• Proven track record of delivering business impact through strategic initiatives.
• Ability to develop executive-level presentations, summarizing complex financial data into clear narratives.
• Experience with project management, change management, financial management, and understanding of key business metrics.
• Deep understanding of key business issues within the Pharma industry.
• Knowledge of strategy, strategic marketing, business development, alliance management, and commercial development.
• Ability to engage and influence senior management without formal authority.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA or equivalent qualification.

Working Environment

At Astellas, we recognize the importance of work/life balance and offer a hybrid working model, allowing time at the office and from home, in accordance with our Responsible Flexibility Guidelines.