Job Description:
The Regulatory Affairs Director Is a Member Of The Global Regulatory Affairs Organization And Has Two Critical Roles
As a Therapeutic Area Head in the RA regional office, is responsible for working with the local regulatory affairs department in Asia Pacific and head office-based “liaisons” to define and implement the regional strategy for products / projects in the assigned therapeutic area. The position is responsible for providing region or country input into the global regulatory strategy and identifying regional requirements for successful regulatory filings for new products/indications, including the opportunity for placement of clinical trials within the region. The position supports (either directly or through staff) product variations, including labeling changes, supplements, and amendments; Product License Renewals and providing regional affiliates with timely responses to Health Authority inquiries; as well as regulatory support to all affiliates in the region for the pharmaceutical sector business.
As RA Head of the pharmaceutical sector in One J&J Southeast Asia, and a member of the One J&J SEA RA Council, ensures cross sector RA collaboration to achieve product registration, regulatory compliance, regulatory talent development and retention, and providing overall regulatory support of the business in the SEA region. The position, in working with counterparts in Consumer and Medical Devices, is a leader in designing and implementing transformational changes which include leveraging cross sector / multi country opportunities in developing and retaining regulatory talent, bringing efficieny to processes, and influencing regulatory intelligence and policies to achieve the goals and objectives of One J&J SEA organization. The position has the potential to be head of One J&J SEA RA Council, with overall oversight of cross sector RA, and in this capacity, will have a dotted line reporting to the SEA President.
Additional Roles Include
managing interactions with manufacturing sites as required to ensure the availability of proper standard export packaging components for product registration.
Working with regulatory policy professionals as well as local affiliates to keep track of changes in country regulatory requirements and provide regulatory intelligence to head office.
Ensures adequate preparation for health authority meetings, and attends and provides presentations to health authorities, where necessary
Develops RA talent and builds up talent success plan
The position resides in Asia Pac region.
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES for Regulatory Affairs Director, Asia Pacific
Provides direction for the regulatory activities related to products / projects in assigned therapeutic area. Works with “head office-based liaisons” and local operating companies to define and implement the regional and local strategy for assigned products. Manages development and implementation of multi-national /regional regulatory and strategies that optimize development, registration, and lifecycle management of new and marketed products, taking into consideration current and proposed changes in regulatory requirements and standards.
Regulatory Strategy and Expertise
Expedites commercialization of new products, new indications and line extension via participation in the regional cross functional team(s) to provide early regional regulatory inputs to identify barriers and needs to shape global developmental plan.
Provides guidance to local affiliates on development of strategies to accelerate submissions/approvals
Provides input in post-registration activities, including labeling changes
Provide regional implementation and regulatory-based advice on new and updated Core Data Sheets.
Maintains expert knowledge in regional regulatory requirements and ensure that staff is expert in country and product-specific regulatory requirements
Health Authority, Operating Companies, and Business Partner Interactions
Manages regulatory interactions with local operating companies and regional functions
Serves as point of contact with local operating companies
Ensures excellent collaborative relationship with key stakeholders including staff in the region, R&D partners, and senior management in SEA.
Interacts with local operating companies on individual products/processes
Facilitates discussions with local operating companies on regional or global regulatory issues, as required
Provides guidance to local operating companies to determine timing and strategy for regional HA meetings. Participates in preparations for interactions with HAs and assist operating company with these interactions.
Acts as the primary contact with multifunctional regional teams such as Market access, supply chain, legal
Leads regulatory activities on regional cross functional teams
Regulatory Submissions
Provides input to submission tactical planning and timelines including lifecycle submissions (labeling changes, renewals and safety reports).
Ensures maintainenance of generic content plans for submissions in the region, including clinical trials and registration submissions
Coordinates and follows-up on post-approval submissions to ensure that product remains in compliance
Reviews and provides input to critical submission documents.
Delivers on business critical regulatory submissions in accordance with development and/or post marketing priorities and timelines.
• Participates in “Rapid Response Teams” to ensure appropriate and timely responses to HA questions. Provides clarification regarding HA questions and provides input to the strategy for responding to HA questions.
Ensures tracking of submission and approval milestones
Ensures tracking of regional post-approval commitments and ensures appropriate follow-up actions
People Management
• May have people management/oversight responsibilities for regulatory staff, including regulatory staff in LOCs. SEA RA pharma reports on a dotted line to this position.
Provides coaching and guidance to department and local affiliates regulatory staff as appropriate
• Participates in development of a strategy to ensure development of talent; supports, mentors, and fosters talent development.
Additional Responsibilities
Responsible for the management of regional in-licensed registration submissions, including drafting of the license agreement draft
Participates in the development of department processes and procedures. Ensures that defined processes are developed and implemented within the regional regulatory office to track and communicate key regulatory product activities
Updates HQ regulatory staff regarding changes in regional regulatory requirements and seeks to shape a favorable regulatory environment through networking with Industry Group(s).
Provides support to Regional Head to develop metrics for the region.
Required Leadership Competencies (J&J Regulatory Affairs Competency Model)
Applied Technical Knowledge (Expert) Leverages knowledge of the regulatory environment, including compliance, current and proposed laws, regulations and guidance, to develop compliant Regulatory strategies that are aligned with business objectives. Executes Regulatory strategies in compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and organizational requirements necessary to obtain, and maintain, legal market status. Leverages scientific and technical knowledge to provide regulatory input to product lifecycle management and evaluate regulatory impact on products. Exhibits curiosity and passion to continuously learn about new scientific, technological, and Regulatory developments and explains Regulatory impact of risks to business partners.
Business Acumen (Leading) Leverages knowledge of the sector, organization, Regulatory Affairs function, and cross-functional business partners to make informed business decisions and create and execute business strategies. Assesses the impact of current regulatory requirements on the business to assist in the development of innovative Regulatory strategies and/or innovative ways to execute them. Executes results-oriented Regulatory Affairs strategies that are aligned with organizational objectives. Determines the financial implications of Regulatory activities on business results using standard business metrics. Manages projects within timeline and budget requirements.
Decision Making and Prioritization (Expert) Clearly defines and prioritizes decision criteria and considers benefits and risks of each decision and its immediate and future implications. Considers all of the available facts when situations are ambiguous in order to make the best possible decision. Manages multiple and changing priorities based on factors such as time constraints, urgency, and business need. Manages complex or ambiguous situations including integration of large amounts of changing, complex, or ambiguous information. Navigates a complex organizational structure to make effective, complex decisions and achieve strategic and/or project goals.
External Focus (Leading) Leverages knowledge of the healthcare environment and external marketplace to inform Regulatory Affairs strategy and business decisions. Articulates the influence of social, economic and political factors on business and regulatory environment to business partners. Maintains an understanding of the global Regulatory and commercial environment, including Regulatory challenges, competitor products, strategies, and market segmentation to accurately identify trends and opportunities. Leverages an understanding of cultural differences to collaborate with stakeholders in other regions and countries.
Leading and Influencing (Leading) Leverages an understanding of others’ motivations, needs, and concerns to establish trust and credibility and influence others. Shapes the Regulatory environment by influencing external stakeholders within local and/or regional regulatory agencies, industry groups, standards committees, and/or political/government agencies. Demonstrates conviction, proactivity and persistence when influencing internal and external stakeholders with or without direct authority or formalized structure. Creates compelling negotiating positions that build support and consensus among key stakeholders. Leverages internal and external networks to enhance collaboration, information sharing, and form strategic partnerships.
Persuasive Communication (Expert) Delivers and creates tailored communications and presentations that educate and mobilize critical stakeholders and translates complex information into key facts and rational arguments that are influential, meaningful, and actionable. Fully engages others by asking incisive and thought provoking questions, always ensuring mutual understanding. Develops written technical communications that are influential, meaningful, and tailored to the audience and business need, including translating complex or technical information into simplified explanations to promote understanding.
Required Technical Competencies & Knowledge
Regulatory Strategy
Good understanding of the pharmaceutical industry
Detailed knowledge of local laws, regulations and guidances in the region related to full drug life cycle.
Understanding of how laws, regulations and guidances apply to specific projects. Ability to interpret them and understand them in the context of the scientific and commercial environment.
Good understanding of and experience in drug development and/or marketed products.
Ability to anticipate and influence regulatory developments in the region and assess business impact
Understanding of the scientific and medical principles applicable to the therapeutic area and specific products.
Awareness of pricing and reimbursement issues in AP
Understanding of how supply chain decisions impact registrations in AP
HA and Operating Company Interactions
Detailed knowledge of HA structures, how those agencies operate, and how and when to interact with them to generate a successful outcome.
Ability to work with and influence HA actions and outcomes.
Project-related knowledge of commercial/medical business needs.
Broad understanding of scientific data (CMC, clinical and non-clinical)
Regulatory Input Into Other Functions
• Comprehensive understanding of the needs of regional business partners.
Submissions
• Detailed knowledge of laws, regulations, and guidances as they apply to submissions in the region.
• Knowledge of what is needed for dossier components and submissions, how to obtain regional components and how long it will take to gather it. Understanding of documentation requirements.
• Ability to analyze reports to determine whether they meet regulatory requirements, and are consistent with the regulatory strategy.
Labeling
• Knowledge of local labeling requirements.
• Ability to critically review labeling development/labeling revisions and assess impact on relevant countries
• Knowledge of competitive landscape and how other companies are dealing with similar issues in labeling.
• Experience in labeling negotiations with health authorities
Resource Planning and Management
• Understanding of resources, time, expertise, etc. required to complete projects
• Mentoring skills
• Line management skills
Decision-making And Problem-solving
• Must make proposals and negotiate on prioritization and trade-offs on a project level.
• Provides input to department strategic objectives, goals and performance measures.
• Independence on decision-making regarding regional strategies with supervisor approval.
• Defines operational priorities and tactics. Resolves conflicts in priorities in consultation with supervisor, liaison team leader, business partners and internal customers.
• Presents issues and solutions to senior management in the region and Health Authorities.
• Determines risk-management strategies for projects.
• Makes informed decisions by soliciting input from others where needed.
• Makes complex decisions in situations with multiple, ambiguous objectives and constraints.
Decisions and problem-solving require interpretation of applicable country-specific and company procedures, policies, standards, and regulations in drug regulation and personnel practices, but will not be explicitly circumscribed by these.
Independence/Autonomy
Operates independently in a complex environment. Independent in daily activities, with very limited managerial oversight. Sets long-term work priorities for self in consultation with supervisor and regulatory liaison team leader. Position makes determination of routine work issues.
Reporting Relationships
Reports to Pharma Regional Regulatory Head.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR OTHERS (If Applicable)
May have direct line supervisory responsibility. Will have dotted line oversight for local operating company regulatory affairs staff in One J&J SEA.
Contributes to training of department staff members.
Internal
(1) One J&J SEA - Regulatory, Managing Director and/or Hospital Leads, SLT
(2) Within Global Regulatory Affairs
RSI, GRL, and GRT members, and CDT: as needed by project activities to establish project objectives and strategies and ensure knowledge sharing.
(3) Local Regulatory staff, as needed by project activities to develop and evaluate drug project strategies and objectives and ensure knowledge sharing to enhance product development and registration activities.
Internal: Other functional areas: Policy, CMC, etc.
Interactions with Commercial, Market Access, Supply Chain, Medical Affairs, GCO,Communication, and other Regional Teams as needed for projects
Knowledge, Education, Experience, Communication Skill Requirements
• Minimum of bachelor’s degree or equivalent in pharmacy or life-science or health-related discipline.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant pharmaceutical industry experience, including at least 5 years of regulatory experience
• Hands’ on experience in pharmaceutical product registration in AP countries and familiarity with AP regulatory systems and product registration requirements. Previous experience in preparing documents for health authority submissions (Clinical Trial Application, Chemistry & Manufacturing, and or Registration dossiers)
• Demonstrated leadership and contribution to drug development strategies
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects.
• Demostrated organizational skills
• Ability to communicate to senior level management.
• Working knowledge of regulations
• Experience in HAs interactions.
• Experience specifically in the region is a mandatory requirement
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills – proficiency in written and oral English
• Must be able to develop and maintain excellent working relationships, work successfully within a team environment and as an individual contributor.
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work and thrive in a multi-cultural environment, as well as an ability to work in a matrix environment are required
• Proactive team player, able to take charge and follow-through. Achievement-oriented with a high degree of flexibility and ability to adapt to a changing regulatory environment.
• Proficient use of technology including MS office programs and Internet resources.
• Regional business travel (20%) is required. Occasional international travel (3x/year) may be required.
• Must be able to work flexible hours to accommodate early morning/evening meetings/ teleconferences with different time zones.
Working Conditions/Travel Requirements
• Position is located in the Asia Pac region. Must be able to work flexible hours to accommodate early morning/late evening meetings/teleconferences with different time zones
• Regional business travel (20%) is required. Occasional international travel (3-5x/year) may be required.
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