Associate Director, Medical Strategic Operations (Field)

Sumitomo Pharma America; United States; Remote; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Sumitomo Pharma America is seeking a senior professional to lead Field Medical operations in the United States. You will ensure an effective field organization and align medical activities with broader operations, driving consistency and efficiency across teams.

The role requires deep experience with Veeva CRM, strategic planning, and cross-functional collaboration. Travel up to 25% and periodic on-site meetings are expected, supporting diverse therapeutic areas.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in science/healthcare/business; advanced degree preferred.
• 8+ years in pharmaceutical grants (sponsorships, medical education) and/or Medical Affairs operations.
• Willingness to travel, domestic and international.

Responsibilities

• Lead Field Medical operations and implement an effective US field organization.
• Align Field Medical with operations to ensure consistent field execution.
• Create efficiencies through central Field Medical communications and processes.
• Guide cross-functional programs and projects; onboard/train new hires on Veeva CRM.
• Partner with stakeholders on medical initiatives and congress planning.

Skills

Field Medical Operations

Veeva CRM

Project Management

Cross-functional Collaboration

Strategic Planning

Communication Skills

Travel Readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in science/healthcare/business

Advanced degree preferred (PharmD/PhD/MS)

Tools

Veeva CRM

MS Office

Job description

Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd., is a global pharmaceutical company based in Japan with operations in the U.S. (Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc.), focused on addressing patient needs in oncology, urology, women's health, rare diseases, cell & gene therapies and CNS. With several marketed products and a diverse pipeline of early- to late-stage investigational assets, we aim to accelerate discovery, research, and development to bring novel therapies to patients sooner. For more information on SMPA, visit our website https://www.us.sumitomo-pharma.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

This position reports to Sr. Director, Medical Strategic Operations and is part of Medical Affairs, which will focus on Operations from a Field Medical perspective. The role is responsible for all aspects of operations for Field Medical - Field working practice document, Veeva (CRM) management, Insights Process & Reporting, and special cross-functional initiatives.

Essential Functions Required for Job

• Guide and ensure the implementation of an effective Field Medical organization in the United States.
• Provide a strategic framework for alignment of Field Medical and operations to support consistency in execution across the field medical teams.
• Create efficiencies and consistencies through central operations for field medical: Optimize communications to convey important information across teams.
• Optimize processes for teams such as value metrics, measures of impact, and insights.
• Identify future capabilities required for customer engagement in the changing landscape
• Provide guidance and advisement to cross-functional programs and projects
• Participate in field visits with MSLs to obtain insights and leverage customer-centric strategies and services
• Responsible for maintaining, updating and educating field medical colleagues on the working practice document (WPD), ensuring activities are adherent to policies and processes
• Partner and collaborate with relevant internal stakeholders on implementation of medical initiatives.
• Onboard and train new hires on non-therapeutic topics, policies and Veeva CRM.
• Provide guidance and counsel to Field Medical associates and stakeholders to ensure all activities are conducted according to policies and standards.
• Ensure the identification and implementation of effective field-related technology/digital/IT enablers and lead technology enhancements.

Additional Responsibilities

• Partner with the Congress Lead to support the execution of medical activities at congresses for all therapeutic areas. The focus will be on pre-planning, strategic targeting, diversified engagement, efficient tool utilization, maximizing on-site time, and thoughtful debrief and follow-up.
• Partner with Strategic Operations Lead on special initiatives requiring cross-functional collaboration and alignment.
• Support other colleagues across Strategic Operations to balance workload during peak times to include statement of work (SOW) development, contracting, purchase order requests, and accurate financial reporting.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (general & technical)

• Strong project leadership, project management, and time management skills.
• Excellent communication and diplomacy skills.
• Clinical experience or strong scientific research background in Urology, Women's Health, or Oncology.
• Deep experience in systems, including Veeva CRM is required.
• Understanding of drug development and product lifecycle.
• Ability to translate HCP insights into themes and actions.
• Demonstrated ability to work cross functionally and cross collaboratively
• Demonstrated ability to lead strategically, drive performance, build alignment, inform, negotiate and collaborate
• Commitment to continuous improvement and high performance.
• Applies an agile mindset to adapt quickly to evolving therapeutic landscapes, scientific data, and organizational priorities.
• Proven enterprise mindset including innovative, solution-oriented, critical thinking with a performance driven approach.
• Ability to work across multiple therapeutic areas.
• Experience in congress planning activities
• Experience in vendor management

Education & Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's degree science/healthcare/business required, advanced degree preferred (PharmD, PhD, MS)
• Minimum 8+ years of pharmaceutical industry-based Grants (sponsorships, medical education) and/or Medical Affairs operations related to biopharmaceutical functions.
• Ability to travel
• Bachelor's degree in a related field required.

Travel Requirements

• Ability to travel as-need (~25% of the time)

Primarily remote role with periodic on-site meetings in office. Must be able to travel domestically and internationally as needed.

Mental/Physical Requirements

Fast-paced environment handling multiple demands is involved. Must be able to exercise appropriate judgment as necessary. Requires a high level of initiative and independence. Excellent written and oral communication skills required. Requires ability to use a personal computer for extended