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Your window into Astellas’ world of patient-centered and science-driven healthcare, as told by the experts who bring it to life.
A three-decade journey in pharma—including more than a decade at Astellas across three countries—reveals how thinking several steps ahead, embracing discomfort, and investing in relationships can accelerate career growth and organizational impact.
Rodney Long
Vice President,
Head of US Commercial Oncology,
Urothelial Carcinoma
Rodney Long has a theory about why some careers accelerate faster than others. It's not simply about working harder or being smarter. It's about thinking strategically.
"A lot of people approach their careers like a game of checkers, moving forward one space at a time," says Rodney, Vice President, Head of US Commercial Oncology, Urothelial Carcinoma at Astellas. "I think more people need to think of it as chess."
That strategic mindset has guided Rodney through more than 13 years at Astellas, spanning commercial leadership roles in the U.S., Japan and China. Along the way, he's learned that the most valuable career moves aren't always the ones that look impressive on paper. They're the ones that prepare you for what's next.
Watch Rodney share his career journey and key learnings.
In an industry where therapeutic innovation is accelerating and commercial models are evolving rapidly, pharmaceutical companies need leaders who can navigate complexity across markets, cultures and functions. For Rodney, building that capability meant making moves that others might have not considered.
His first major expatriate assignment with Astellas was relocating to Japan as a Regional Marketing lead. On the surface, it was a lateral move. But for Rodney, the role was a deliberate investment in capabilities and experiences he knew would benefit him later: global perspective, cross-cultural leadership, and the ability to navigate ambiguity in unfamiliar environments.
"Sometimes a lateral move can accelerate your career more than taking a promotion," he reflects.
Each transition Rodney made was intentional, designed to build skills and experiences that would prepare him for roles two or three steps ahead. He approached his career not as a series of titles, but as a progression of readiness.
Rodney's next assignment tested that readiness in ways he couldn't have anticipated. As Oncology Business Unit Head for Astellas China, based in Beijing, he was leading the organization when the COVID-19 pandemic began.
"Along with other senior leaders, I made the decision to stay and help lead the organization through the challenges of COVID-19," Rodney recalls.
The experience was demanding. Business and people's lives were disrupted. Teams were working remotely under unprecedented stress. Healthcare systems were strained. But the decision to stay reflected a core belief that has shaped Rodney's career: meaningful growth often comes from leaning into uncertainty and trusting in yourself.
"Being comfortable with being uncomfortable and taking on the assignments others might shy away from can be one of the fastest ways to accelerate your career and differentiate yourself over time," he says.
For Astellas, having leaders willing to stay and navigate complexity during crisis was essential. For Rodney, the experience deepened his understanding of resilience, adaptability and leading through change.
Yet Rodney's trajectory was shaped by more than unique and challenging assignments. It was equally defined by the genuine, lasting relationships he built along the way.
"Those connections resulted in lasting friendships and exposed me to opportunities I otherwise wouldn't have seen," he says.
Rodney often references the PIE framework: Performance, Image, and Exposure. "Performance is foundational," he explains, "but it has to be matched by how others perceive your capabilities and exposure to those that can accelerate your career trajectory. And if people don't know who you are, in terms of values and behaviors, even strong performance can be overlooked."
For Rodney, career growth sits at the intersection of intentional moves, consistent strong results, and authentic relationships, each reinforcing the other over time.
He built his network organically by investing in people and staying connected across geographies, time zones and functions. His relationships were never transactional, they were built on genuine connection and a deep investment in getting to know people…their interests, what drives them and how I could help them achieve their career goals.
"The relationships I built weren't about hoping they'd help me get a job someday," he says. "I built them because I genuinely cared about the people."
Today, Rodney's approach to career management surprises people. He's candid with his team from the start: "Being on my team or in the same role for three years is more than enough. I don't want anyone to feel they need to stay longer at the expense of their growth. To keep advancing, you need to be exposed to new opportunities and willing to make moves within Astellas that help you achieve your career goals."
It's an unusual stance for a leader, but it reflects Rodney's belief that developing talent isn't about retention at all costs. It's about helping others build careers with momentum and purpose.
"I spend about half my time managing the business and the other half coaching and developing people," he explains.
He actively challenges those he coaches to clarify their goals and strategically think about potential next steps, even when that means encouraging strong performers to pursue opportunities beyond his own team. For an organization like Astellas, where cross-functional collaboration and global capability are essential to creating and delivering greater VALUE faster for patients, that kind of leadership is critical.
Outside of work, Rodney channels his focus into several unexpected pursuits: golf, baking and coffee. An obsessive golfer and an equally determined home baker, he's currently on a quest to perfect artisan sourdough, croissants and latte art for espresso.
These rituals are more than hobbies. They're how he recharges. Despite the highly extroverted demands of his role, Rodney is naturally introverted, a reminder that effective leadership doesn't come in a single personality type.
Looking back, Rodney sees a career built not on a single breakthrough moment, but on a series of deliberate choices. Choices to take the lateral move. To stay when others left. To invest in relationships without expecting anything in return. To think not just about the next role, but the one after that.
His advice is simple, but deliberate: think strategically about your career and plan several moves ahead. Invest in relationships at every stage. And when the moment comes, don't be afraid to take the leap.
"If you're willing to be patient and thoughtful, if you take the time to build relationships and seek out opportunities that stretch you, you might be surprised by where your career can ultimately go," he says.
For prospective employees considering Astellas, Rodney's journey illustrates a culture that values strategic thinking, global experience, and leaders who develop others. It's a place where lateral moves are recognized as career accelerators, where leaders who stay committed during challenging times are valued, and where growth is measured not just by titles, but by readiness for what's next.
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Voices of VALUE is a series spotlighting employees who have grown their careers at Astellas. Through their stories, we explore the diverse pathways, experiences and lessons that shape individual career development and collectively, drive our innovation and success.
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