Astellas Canada – Learning Programs Manager

At Astellas, we strive to become a cutting-edge, value-driven life science innovator. This means working at the forefront of healthcare change to turn innovative science into VALUE for patients.

What sets us apart is our focus on patients, our pioneering innovation, our collaborative culture, and the passion of our talented people.

Making a positive impact on patients’ lives is the purpose behind everything we do. At Astellas, we are relentless in our pursuit of scientific progress and in tackling unmet medical needs, demonstrated by our legacy in oncology, overactive bladder and transplant and our impressive pipeline in women's health, blindness and regeneration, genetic regulation, immuno-oncology, mitochondria, and targeted protein degradation.

About Us

We are a global pharmaceutical company headquartered in Japan, with a team of more than 14,000 managing operations in approximately 70 countries around the world. We are in the Top 30 global biopharma company based on global revenues and are predicted to be one of the Top 10 Cancer Drug Makers of 2024 by Fierce Pharma.

In Canada, we are growing to meet the exciting opportunities realized by our legacy brands and rich pipeline of innovative treatments.

We are looking for candidates who will thrive in our entrepreneurial and empowering environment where talent and leadership flourish. Do your values align with our Astellas Way - patient focus, ownership, results, openness, and integrity? Then we would love to hear from you.

From the first day in role, everyone at Astellas has a responsibility for creating a brighter future for patients around the world. We nurture exceptional relationships with our employees to allow them to thrive, foster innovation, and deliver exceptional business results. We work to create a culture where our people feel empowered to pursue brave ideas and ambitious outcomes, to have the confidence to be accountable for a higher standard of performance and embody a competitive and solutions-oriented mindset.

Our expertise, science and technology make us a pharma company. Our open and diverse culture is what makes us uniquely Astellas.

Astellas Pharma Canada (APCA) is currently searching for a Learning Programs Manager reporting to Lead, Operational Excellence.

Description:

The Learning Programs Manager is accountable for the strategic development, implementation, and evaluation of accredited and unaccredited educational programs for healthcare professionals for each marketed brand.

Essential Job Duties

Medical Education Excellence:

• In collaboration with Marketing, Medical Affairs, and APCA cross-functional partners, leads the implementation of high quality, innovative and strategic non-promotional learning programs for healthcare professionals, including external (Continuing Health Education, Other Learning Activities, sponsored Congress Activities, Speaker Training) activities to address learning gaps identified through the annual needs assessment and ensure alignment with overall organizational business objectives and brand plan.

• Proactively responds to trends and/or shifts in the external medical education environment to predict and maximize positive impact to Astellas.

• Maintain working knowledge of Astellas key products/disease states and educational needs within designated therapeutic areas.

• Serves as recognized Medical Education expert and acts as point person by maintaining and communicating up to date knowledge of industry standards and best practices as well as subject matter expertise in national and provincial accreditation bodies and standards.

Project Management Activities:

• Lead the strategic development and implementation of learning programs with a strong understanding of how these activities support the overall brand strategy.

• Proactively monitors progress of all learning programs to ensure (i) milestones are delivered on target and (ii) timely and effective updates are communicated to key internal stakeholders (such as Medical Affairs colleagues and APCA cross-functional teams). Manage external vendors / agencies and ensure deliverables and timelines are as per project plan.

Quality and Compliance:

• Support and tracks all processes/logistics related to accreditation of APCA Learning Programs, where applicable.

• Collects and analyses of value outcomes for all learning programs; Monitors appropriate overall metrics and effectiveness measures and communicate results to internal stakeholders.

• Critically evaluates vendors for capacity to develop highest quality, innovative programs consistent with principles of adult learning. Assesses vendors to ensure the learning program activities are of the highest scientific rigor, well designed and delivered in a timely, cost-efficient manner and in compliance with regulatory requirements.

• Maintain and demonstrate high level knowledge of Astellas SOPs, Innovative Medicines Canada guidelines and Canadian Professional Education Association Guidelines and is responsible for ensuring all APCA Learning Program activities are in compliance with internal guidelines and industry best practices.

Collaboration:

• Partner with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) and allied health-care professionals (HCPs) to lead/support the development of high caliber Learning programs that enhance Astellas’ leadership in each therapeutic area.

• Maintain strong relationships with cross-functional partners, including Marketing, Medical Affairs, Ethics & Compliance and Sales, to understand educational gaps and needs, brand strategies and gain insights and feedback to ensure stakeholders are fully aware of educational strategy and funded activities.

Quantitative Dimensions:

• Directly responsible for managing APCA Learning Program activities and related budgets.

• Support the development of health professional education and learning program strategic and operational planning activities.

Organizational Context:

• Reports to Lead, Operational Excellence.

• Individual Contributor.

• Interacts with internal customers, KOLs/HCPs, and external vendors.

Required Qualifications:

• University degree in a healthcare or science discipline

• Minimum of three (3) years’ experience in the innovative pharmaceutical industry.

• CME/CHE experience.

• In depth knowledge of Innovative Medicines Canada Code, guidelines, and Canadian CME accreditation process both Nationally and Provincially.

• Demonstrated proficiency in developing collaborative relationship with healthcare professionals.

• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively in a cross functional team environment.

• Advanced ability to manage multiple projects within established timelines and budgets.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, written and verbal communication skills, presentation skills.

• Familiarity with all aspects of the drug development process.

• Complex problem-solving skills.

• Advanced negotiation skills.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office.

Preferred Qualifications:

• CHE Training Certification. Bilingualism (English/French)

• Travel Required 15% to 20%

Additional Information

Astellas Pharma Canada welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the hiring process.

Astellas Pharma Canada requires full Vaccination against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Reasonable accommodation to this policy may be granted for a valid accommodation request under human rights legislation.

No telephone inquiries, in-person applications, or agencies please. While we appreciate all applications, only candidates under consideration will be contacted.

*LI-CH1

Category Canada

Astellas is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment.

EOE including Disability/Protected Veterans