The Associate Director of Health Economics & Outcomes Research (HEOR) is a strategic and technical leadership role within Otsuka's OPDC, reporting to the Data and Analytics team. This position demands expertise in health outcomes research and a visionary approach to managing and optimizing research Real World Data assets, platforms, processes, and data systems. 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, to support value evidence generation.
The responsibilities for this role include collaborating 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 ensure the successful implementation and delivery of programs through robust research design, data analyses, project management, and dissemination of HEOR and real-world evidence, late-stage studies to stakeholders. Additionally, the role involves 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.
Job Description:
- Strategic Leadership: Identify, lead, design, and implement health economics and outcomes research and real-world evidence strategic analysis and value and scientific evidence generation to support clinical, economic, and patient-centered value propositions and reimbursement requirements for Otsuka products and therapeutic areas.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with Value Evidence and Global Medical Affairs teams to develop scientific strategies that optimize internal research opportunities across Otsuka’s product portfolio.
- Data Analysis and Innovation: Apply fit for purpose traditional or novel 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: Develop study protocols and database query guidelines, overseeing internal analyses to support studies
- Pharmacoeconomic Support: Serve as the interface to support pharmacoeconomic and real-world data needs across various departments, defining the payer value proposition of Otsuka’s product portfol
- Study Management: Prepare and review study protocols and reports, 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 health outcomes projects and information to internal and external groups, including regulatory authorities, key opinion leaders, and at medical and outcomes research conferences.
- Publications: Lead assigned publication planning and execution, coordinating with Otsuka Scientific Communications personnel.
- 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: Develop 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 awareness materials on disease, unmet need, and quality of care.
- 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
