Director, Disease Area Strategy Lead

Company: Initial Therapeutics, Inc.
Location: Washington
Posted on: June 2, 2025

Job Description:

Join Amgens Mission of Serving PatientsAt Amgen, if you feel like youre part of something bigger, its because you are. Our shared missionto serve patients living with serious illnessesdrives all that we do.Since 1980, weve helped pioneer the world of biotech in our fight against the worlds toughest diseases. With our focus on four therapeutic areas Oncology, Inflammation, General Medicine, and Rare Disease we reach millions of patients each year. As a member of the Amgen team, youll help make a lasting impact on the lives of patients as we research, manufacture, and deliver innovative medicines to help people live longer, fuller happier lives.Our award-winning culture is collaborative, innovative, and science based. If you have a passion for challenges and the opportunities that lay within them, youll thrive as part of the Amgen team. Join us and transform the lives of patients while transforming your career.Director, Disease Area Strategy LeadWhat you will doLets do this. Lets change the world. As we increase our investment in discovery research and early pipeline development, this role is critical to drive commercial strategy at the earliest stages of innovation. This position requires a leader who understands the intersection of science, strategy, and commercial executionensuring that Amgens early-stage investments are positioned for long-term success.The Director, Disease Areas Strategy Lead (DASL) will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Amgens portfolio by providing commercial insights to early-stage research, pipeline programs, and external business development opportunities.In this role you will be responsible for the following:

• Partnering with Senior Leadership to define Amgens early pipeline commercial strategy to ensure investments in research and early development align with long-term business objectives and patient needs.
• Partnering closely with R&D, global marketing, and corporate development teams to assess external innovation and business development opportunities, ensuring alignment with Amgens portfolio strategy.
• Supporting portfolio investment decisions for relevant therapeutic areas in coordination with the Enterprise Portfolio Governance function.
• Developing commercial frameworks and business cases to inform progression decisions for early-stage assets, integrating insights from market dynamics, patient needs, and competitive intelligence.
• Building a best-in-class commercial function for early pipeline strategy, ensuring Amgen maintains a leadership position in bringing first-in-class and best-in-class therapies to market.Key activities and accountabilities include the following:Early Pipeline Strategy & Portfolio Prioritization
  • Create and leverage frameworks for evaluating and prioritizing early-stage assets across Amgens portfolio.
  • Support the assessment of commercial viability and differentiation of assets in early development, ensuring alignment with evolving market needs and payer landscapes.
  • Partner to shape long-term portfolio strategy in collaboration with R&D, finance, and business development teams.
  • Preparation of business cases along with other execution-based deliverables to business needsCommercial Partnership with Research & Early Development
    • Provide commercial input to research-stage investment decisions, ensuring a clear path to differentiated and commercially viable products.
    • Collaborate with R&D to develop target product profiles (TPPs) that reflect strong commercial positioning.
    • Establish strong cross-functional partnerships with R&D, corporate strategy, finance, and global marketing teamsBusiness Development & External Innovation
      • Partner with Amgens Business Development team to evaluate in-licensing, partnerships, and acquisitions for early-stage assets.
      • Support the commercial due diligence process on external opportunities, integrating scientific innovation with market insights.Enterprise Portfolio Governance & Investment Strategy
        • Play a role in the Portfolio Governance process, ensuring that commercial insights drive R&D investment decisions.
        • Align early-stage investments with Amgens strategic growth objectives and therapeutic area priorities.What we expect of youWe are all different, yet we all use our unique contributions to serve patients. The professional we seek is a strategic leader with these qualifications.Basic Qualifications:Doctorate degree and 4 years of marketing and/or commercial experienceOrMasters degree and 7 years of marketing and/or commercial experienceOrBachelors degree and 9 years of marketing and/or commercial experiencePreferred Qualifications:
          • Masters of Business Administration
          • MD or PhD in a life sciences-related field (e.g., molecular biology, immunology, pharmacology)
          • 8+ years of commercial experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, with significant time spent in marketing, commercial strategy, and/or pipeline development
          • Prior experience in management consulting (McKinsey, Bain, BCG) focused on strategy, commercial development, and business development in the life sciences industry
          • Deep experience in commercial development for pipeline assets, including product positioning, market assessment, and competitive analysis
          • Demonstrated expertise in business development, including due diligence and partnership evaluations
          • Experience working in cross-functional leadership roles across commercial and R&D teams
          • Strong track record in enterprise portfolio strategy, including investment decision-making and pipeline prioritization
          • Excellent leadership and people management skills with a proven ability to develop and mentor hard-working teams
          • Prior biopharmaceutical leadership experience overseeing commercial strategy, commercial development, and marketing functions
          • Deep knowledge of global biopharma market dynamics, payer trends, and competitive landscapes
          • Experience engaging with executive leadership and board-level stakeholders on commercial and R&D investment decisions
          • Strong analytical, financial, and strategic thinking skills with the ability to translate complex data into actionable insightsWhat you can expect of usAs we work to develop treatments that take care of others, we also work to care for your professional and personal growth and well-being. From our competitive benefits to our collaborative culture, well support your journey every step of the way.The expected annual salary range for this role in the U.S. (excluding Puerto Rico) is posted. Actual salary will vary based on several factors including but not limited to, relevant skills, experience, and qualifications.In addition to the base salary, Amgen offers a Total Rewards Plan, based on eligibility, comprising of health and welfare plans for staff and eligible dependents, financial plans with opportunities to save towards retirement or other goals, work/life balance, and career development opportunities that may include:
            • A comprehensive employee benefits package, including a Retirement and Savings Plan with generous company contributions, group medical, dental and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts
            • A discretionary annual bonus program, or for field sales representatives, a sales-based incentive plan
            • Stock-based long-term incentives
            • Award-winning time-off plans
            • Flexible work models, including remote and hybrid work arrangements, where possibleApply now and make a lasting impact with the Amgen team.careers.amgen.comIn any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.Application deadlineAmgen does not have an application deadline for this position; we will continue accepting applications until we receive a sufficient number or select a candidate for the position.As an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people around the world, Amgen fosters an inclusive environment of diverse, ethical, committed and highly accomplished people who respect each other and live the Amgen values to continue advancing science to serve patients. Together, we compete in the fight against serious disease.Amgen is an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other basis protected by applicable law.We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
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Keywords: Initial Therapeutics, Inc., Alexandria , Director, Disease Area Strategy Lead, Executive , Washington, Virginia