Research Strategy Lead, Oncology Research Intelligence (IO) (Sr. Director)

Join Astellas' Oncology Research Team

Do you want to be part of an inclusive team that works to develop innovative therapies for patients? Every day, we are driven to develop and deliver innovative and effective new medicines to patients and physicians. If you want to be part of this exciting work, you belong at Astellas!

Astellas Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company conducting business in more than 70 countries around the world. We are committed to turning innovative science into medical solutions that bring value and hope to patients and their families. Keeping our focus on addressing unmet medical needs and conducting our business with ethics and integrity enables us to improve the health of people throughout the world.

This position is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Remote work from certain states may be permitted in accordance with Astellas' Responsible Flexibility Guidelines. Candidates interested in remote work are encouraged to apply.

Purpose and Scope

The Research Strategy Lead, Oncology Research Intelligence reports to the Head of Competitive Intelligence (CI) & Research Program Management (RPM). This role is a strategic role within the CI & RPM in Oncology Research, responsible for developing actionable strategies in key therapeutic areas such as immuno-oncology (IO) or tumor-targeted therapies in Oncology. This role integrates deep scientific expertise with strategic thinking to shape a future-ready oncology research pipeline. Through rigorous internal and external landscape analysis, the Research Strategy Lead informs research direction, portfolio differentiation, and early innovation targeting. The Research Strategy Lead collaborates closely with the Strategy Integration Lead, Oncology Research Leadership, and other cross-functional stakeholders to ensure research and portfolio alignment, enhancing the impact, agility, and future-readiness of the oncology pipeline.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Portfolio Guidance :

• Lead the development of therapeutic area-specific research strategies grounded in both internal capabilities and external innovation signals in alignment with Astellas' long-term relevant Primary Focus (PF) area goals.
• Deliver actionable insights and foresight to the Head of CI & RPM, Oncology Research Leadership and PF Leadership Team to guide prioritization, differentiation, and long-term planning based on deep insights into competitive dynamics, scientific trends, and unmet needs.
• Translate macro-level strategy into clear scientific focus areas, roadmaps, and research hypotheses for research teams.
• Act as a strategic thought partner to the Head of CI & RPM, integrating intelligence into portfolio prioritization, resource planning, and innovation decisions.
• Lead horizon scanning efforts to identify emerging opportunities and risks to maintain a future-ready research organization.

Competitive Intelligence & Strategic Foresight :

Operational Excellence & Intelligence Infrastructure :