[Innovative Medicine] R&D, Senior Manager, Project Leader Group, Global Development

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at jnj.com.

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Job Function:

Project/Program Management Group

Job Sub Function:

Project/Program Management

Job Category:

Professional

All Job Posting Locations:

Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan

Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY

The Japan Project Team Leader (PTL) (P8) is a cross-functional R&D leader accountable for actively shaping and executing global asset development strategies through robust integration of Japan insights, working with guidance from TA Lead or senior leaders as needed.

The PTL serves as country counterpart to CDTL and R&D’s empowered country-level leader, ensuring cross-functional Japan considerations are systematically embedded in global decision-making, governance milestones, and delivery plans, additionally to being accountable for project delivery. This role requires strategic leadership, business understanding, stakeholder influence, and excellent execution capabilities by managing complex and uncertain environments for driving broader organizational impact.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Strategic Business & R&D Leadership

• Lead country-level cross-functional Project Teams as an extension of the CDT, ensuring Japan function as integral contributors to global strategy, not only downstream executors.
• Ensure “one local voice” incl. local R&D and commercial alignment to provide input into global CDTs on project strategies for Japan. 
• Generate and position high-quality Japan insights (regulatory, clinical, operational, portfolio, and commercial interface)
• Partner with the CDT and R&D in China/Japan and commercial to translate global strategy into robust, scenario-based country delivery strategies and enable in addition commercial success in Japan, addressing risk, feasibility, and value trade-offs. Ensure execution of country plans, with timely escalation of strategic, resourcing, and risk issues to the CDT and governance forums. Lead critical project issue resolution arising in R&D Japan in alignment with local or regional commercial and global CDTs.
• Maintain clear ownership of country-level R&D governance inputs, ensuring decision traceability and strategic coherence.

2. CDT & Enterprise Stakeholder Integration

• Serve as an important R&D country representative within the CDT, participating as a topic-driven contributor and extended CDT member,
• Act as a strategic interface and accountable for execution among:
  • CDTL, PDL, PML, RPM, CPM
  • Country R&D functions
  • Country non-R&D stakeholders (MAF, NPP, MA, BU)

3. Project Team Leadership & Culture

• Foster a “one team” mindset across country Project Teams aligned to global and local priorities, accountability, and performance standards;
• Provide cross-functional leadership in decision-making, conflict resolution, and strategic trade-offs at the country level;
• Build teams with the right mindset, practices, and learning orientation, balancing rigor with agility and avoiding over-reliance on process for coordination;
• Continuously improve team effectiveness, insight generation, and strategic contribution to the CDT.

4. Governance, Communication & External Representation

• Ensure fit-for-purpose, decision-oriented documentation, including:
  • Strategic insight briefs
  • Provide locally aligned input into the GFLS and ADP for China and Japan
  • Decision logs linked to global governance milestones
  • Clear communication records aligned with CDT and commercial decisions
• Represent R&D externally as appropriate, including scientific forums, health authority interactions, and key stakeholder engagements, consistent with asset strategy and governance expectations.

Ensure consistent and aligned R&D messaging across country, regional, and global stakeholders

REQUIREMENTS:

Experience/Knowledge

• At least 6 years in drug development including experiences of working in cross-functional matrix teams within a global R&D organization;

• Knowledge of global drug development and registration with understanding of pharmaceutical portfolio risk management;

• Working knowledge of China and/or Japan local practice, policy and regulation; and insight into what is required to be successful in the market also from commercial objectives;
• Track records in delivering as part of a cross-functional project team;  

Skills/Capabilities

• Accountable, self-motivated, adaptable, and open-minded, with a strong can-do attitude;
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate complex information, identify key issues, and recommend practical solutions;
• Demonstrates resilience and sound judgement under uncertainty, and takes ownership to drive results;
• Understands business priorities and development strategies, with the ability to connect project decisions to broader organizational goals
• Builds effective partnership and collaborates successfully across teams in a matrix environment;
• Effective stakeholder management, communication, negotiation, and project management skills;
• Demonstrates cultural agility and the ability to work effectively across diverse teams and organizational settings;
• Balances strategic thinking with execution excellence to drive change and deliver impact;
• Fluent in written and spoken English and Japanese.

Qualification/Certificate

• A scientific background with an advanced degree in relevant disciplines (e.g., medical, pharm, regulatory, quantitative sciences, business etc.);
• MD/PhD/PharmD/MBA preferred.

＜For Internal Applicants＞

• Based on your experience and interview evaluation, the position title and level may vary.
• If you are Japan employee, please read “Internal Application Guideline” in Ask GS. Especially if you are less than 18 months in your current role, you are required to obtain application approval from your current manager as well as your respective BUHR. If you are Japan’s employee, you are not able to apply for multiple positions at once.
• For Employee Referral Program (ERP), please read and understand the details of the “Internal Referral Overview” on the Ask GS and you have made a compliant referral.
  

 

 

Required Skills:

 

 

Preferred Skills:

Agile Decision Making, Agility Jumps, Analytics Insights, Business Alignment, Continuous Improvement, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Leadership, Organizational Project Management, Organizing, Program Management, Project Management Methodology (PMM), Project Management Office (PMO), Project Management Tools, Project Reporting, Statement of Work (SOW), Technical Credibility