Director, Field Training & Development (Rare/Ultra-Rare Disease)

Position Summary:

The Director of Training & Development leads a small team and is responsible for the strategy, design, and execution of all training initiatives for the Rare Renal division focused on rare and ultra-rare diseases. This role ensures that field teams and internal stakeholders are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to support patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers in a highly specialized and rapidly evolving therapeutic landscapes. This people leader collaborates cross-functionally to deliver scientifically accurate, compliant, and impactful training programs that enhance field readiness, elevate customer engagement, and drive organizational excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

Training Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute a comprehensive training strategy aligned with brand, field, and medical goals across the ultra-rare/rare disease portfolio.
• Lead the design and delivery of training across onboarding, advanced skill development, scientific education, and launch readiness.
• Lead a team of training managers and coach and develop that team

Curriculum Design & Content Development

• Oversee creation of scientifically robust, compliant training materials covering disease state education, product knowledge, competitive landscape, diagnostic pathways, patient journey, and ecosystem dynamics.
• Build advanced modules tailored to the unique challenges of ultra-rare diseases, including limited prevalence, diagnostic delays, and specialized centers of excellence.
• Partner with Medical Affairs to ensure training content reflects the most current evidence, clinical guidelines, and investigational data.

Field Readiness & Launch Excellence

• Lead the development of national training meetings (NTMs), POAs, launch training, and skill-building workshops.
• Drive assessment strategies to measure competency, retention, and field application, leveraging metrics to guide continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with Commercial, Medical, Access, and Marketing to ensure seamless cross-functional alignment during launch and annual business cycles.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Serve as the primary training partner for Brand Leads, Medical Directors, Patient Advocacy, Market Access, and Sales Leadership.
• Build a group of internal/external experts (KOLs, patient organizations, advisory boards) to gather insights that inform training needs and curriculum design.
• Partner with other FT&D Functions (Field Leadership Development, Market Access and Operations) to produce best quality work.

Operational Excellence

• Manage training budget, vendor relationships, platforms (LMS), and technology tools to ensure high-quality and scalable training solutions.
• Ensure all training content adheres to regulatory, legal, and compliance standards specific to pharmaceutical promotion and rare disease communications.
• Monitor emerging industry trends, regulatory changes, and competitive intelligence to proactively evolve training programs.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in Life Sciences, Education, or related field preferred.
• 8+ years in pharmaceutical training, field development, or medical education; rare or ultra-rare disease experience strongly preferred.
• Proven experience leading major product launches, preferably in specialty or rare disease markets.
• Successful leadership of a training or sales team
• Strong scientific acumen with the ability to translate complex clinical data into accessible training content.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives in highly matrixed environments.
• Expertise in curriculum design, adult learning principles, and training technologies.

Preferred Attributes:

• Experience working with highly specialized therapeutic areas
• Strong facilitation and presentation skills, including the ability to engage scientific and non-scientific audiences.
• Strategic thinker with strong project management, prioritization, and vendor-management capabilities.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment supporting patients with high unmet need.

Competencies
Accountability for Results - Stay focused on key strategic objectives, be accountable for high standards of performance, and take an active role in leading change.
Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving - Make decisions considering the long-term impact to customers, patients, employees, and the business.
Patient & Customer Centricity - Maintain an ongoing focus on the needs of our customers and/or key stakeholders.
Impactful Communication - Communicate with logic, clarity, and respect. Influence at all levels to achieve the best results for Otsuka.
Respectful Collaboration - Seek and value others' perspectives and strive for diverse partnerships to enhance work toward common goals.
Empowered Development - Play an active role in professional development as a business imperative.

Minimum $186,489.00 - Maximum $278,875.00, plus incentive opportunity: The range shown represents a typical pay range or starting pay for individuals who are hired in the role to perform in the United States. Other elements may be used to determine actual pay such as the candidate's job experience, specific skills, and comparison to internal incumbents currently in role. Typically, actual pay will be positioned within the established range, rather than at its minimum or maximum. This information is provided to applicants in accordance with states and local laws.

Application Deadline: This will be posted for a minimum of 5 business days.

Company benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, company provided basic life, accidental death & dismemberment, short-term and long-term disability insurance, tuition reimbursement, student loan assistance, a generous 401(k) match, flexible time off, paid holidays, and paid leave programs as well as other company provided benefits.

Come discover more about Otsuka and our benefit offerings; https://www.otsuka-us.com/careers-join-otsuka.

Disclaimer:

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the people assigned to this position. It is not intended to include every job duty and responsibility specific to the position. Otsuka reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.