Associate Director, Real World Data Science

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd; Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 169,000 - 253,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical benefits

401(k) match

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Job summary

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd in Rockville, MD is seeking an Associate Director of Real-World Data Science to lead analyses and HEOR efforts across products. You will supervise study protocols, develop robust analyses of claims, EHR, and trial data, and guide vendors while ensuring scientific validity and regulatory alignment.

The role demands advanced health economics expertise, programming skills, and the ability to push innovative data approaches to demonstrate value for payers, providers,

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in outcomes research methods and analyses.
• Strong expertise in non-interventional study designs and statistics.
• Proficiency in SAS and AWS; R preferred; ML/AI experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead analytical studies and programming for RWE plans to support evidence generation.
• Collaborate with Value Evidence and Global Medical Affairs across products.
• Apply traditional or novel methodologies, including AI/ML, in analyses.
• Co-lead study protocol development and database query guidelines.
• Support pharmacoeconomic and real-world data needs across departments.
• Co-lead study protocols, reports, and vendor management as needed.
• Oversee data licensing, platform needs, and external vendors.
• Identify databases (US and international) for licensing to research questions.
• Participate in external partnerships and disseminate results to stakeholders.
• Present analytics to internal/external groups, including regulators and conferences.
• Contribute to publications with internal communications teams.
• Support advisory meetings to gather payer and physician feedback.
• Identify projects aligned with economic and quality strategies.
• Assist in developing product dossiers for formulary submissions.
• Manage budgets allocated to assigned projects.
• Assist in educational materials for internal/external audiences.
• Maintain awareness of data sources and ensure research compliance.

Skills

Outcomes research

Non-interventional designs

Statistical analysis

SAS

AWS

R

ML/AI applications

Data analysis

Education

PhD in Health Economics

Masters in Health Economics

Tools

SAS

AWS

R

ML/AI tools

Job description

The Associate Director of Real-World Data Science is an expert in analysis and methods, providing leadership within Otsuka’s OPDC, reporting to the Data and Analytics team. This position demands expertise in research design, and data analysis, including traditional and AI/ML methodologies, that can be applied to health economics research. A visionary approach to managing and optimizing research Real World Data, platforms, processes, and data systems is desired. The successful candidate will possess advanced skills in health economics research, programming and data analysis, focusing on leveraging large healthcare datasets, including claims, electronic health records (EHR), and clinical trial data, data linking/ tokenization, to support value evidence generation.

The responsibilities for this role include collaborating closely with Value Evidence (VE) team and across therapeutic areas to execute HEOR projects and strategies, encompassing pharmaceuticals, devices, and digital health solutions using traditional as well as novel data sources and methodologies. The Associate Director will support successful execution through robust data analyses, project management, and dissemination of HEOR and real-world evidence, late-stage studies to stakeholders. Additionally, the role is critical in producing high-quality research and data to enhance the scientific understanding and the potential value and real-world impact of Otsuka products for payers, healthcare providers, patients, and caregivers.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership : Partner with Value Evidence Strategy to design and lead analytical studies and programming for RWE analysis plans to support value and scientific evidence generation.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration : Work closely with Value Evidence and Global Medical Affairs teams to support value and scientific evidence generation across Otsuka’s product portfolio.

• Data Analysis and Innovation : Apply fit for purpose traditional or novel methodologies, including AI/ML methodologies, in data and statistical techniques, stay current with new analytical approaches, and collaborate with subject matter experts to design and deliver medically relevant and scientifically valid projects.

• Protocol Development : Co-lead study protocol development and database query guidelines for internal dataset, overseeing internal analyses to support studies.

• Pharmacoeconomic Support : Serve as the interface to support pharmacoeconomic and real-world data needs across various departments.

• Study Management : Co-lead in the preparation and review of study protocols and reports for internal datasets, including statistical analysis plans, and manage associated vendors as appropriate.

• Data Licensing and Vendor Oversight : Manage department-specific data licensing and platform needs, overseeing vendors and ensuring compliance with licensing terms.

• Database Identification : Identify appropriate databases (US and ex-US) for licensing to address research questions and align with therapeutic area strategy.

• External Partnerships : Participate in establishing external partnerships and work on all scientific aspects of projects involving these partnerships.

• Presentation and Communication : Present analytics for health outcomes projects and information to internal and external groups, including regulatory authorities, key opinion leaders, and at medical and outcomes research conferences.

• Publications : Participate in publication planning and execution, coordinating with Otsuka Scientific Communications personnel and VES.

• Advisory Meetings : Support preparation of medical or payer advisory meetings to solicit feedback on Otsuka products and therapeutic areas.

• Project Execution : Identify and support projects that directly support the economic and quality strategy for Otsuka products.

• Formulary Submissions : Support in the development of product dossiers and other projects to support different aspects of formulary submissions.

• Budget Management : Manage budget resources allocated to assigned projects.

• Education and Awareness : When appropriate, assist in developing educational material for internal and external audience including payer communication field tools.

• Compliance and Best Practices : Maintain awareness of current strategies, issues, and new data sources, ensuring compliance with all guidelines and best practices for scientific research.

Qualifications / Required

Knowledge/ Experience and Skills:

• Experience and Expertise: 3-5 years of experience in outcomes research methods and analysis, with strong expertise in non-interventional study designs and statistical analyses.
• Industry Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of the healthcare industry, including pharmaceutical R&D, clinical research, commercialization, health technology assessment bodies, managed care marketplace, hospital systems, and integrated systems of care.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in statistical programming (SAS and AWS environment required; R preferred), with experience in ML/AI applications.
• Research and Analytical Skills: Ability to independently develop research hypotheses, study protocols, and statistical analysis plans, with knowledge of epidemiology, economics, psychometrics, and medical writing.
• Data Utilization: Strong understanding of administrative claims data, electronic medical records, hospital inpatient data, and survey data, including their applications and limitations.
• Project Management: Proven ability to manage complex projects involving multiple external vendors, with excellent project management skills.
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Excellent interpersonal skills, superior presentation skills, and the ability to manage conflict constructively with minimal supervision.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Experience working with and overseeing external contractors and vendors, with the ability to understand and respond to customer/payer requests and develop value dossier
• Travel Requirements: Willingness to travel approximately 10%, including international travel, for conferences, corporate locations, and stakeholder meetings.

Educational Qualifications

• PhD or Masters in Health Economics, Outcomes Research, Health Services Research, Public Health or related discipline
• Three (PhD) to five (Masters) years of relevant experience

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 $169,222.00 - Maximum $253,000.00, 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.

Application Deadline : This will be posted for a minimum of 5 business days.

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.

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 [e-mail].

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.