GCC Franchise Head Rare Disease

at  AstraZeneca

ROLE SUMMARY

AstraZeneca is accelerating the expansion of our geographical footprint in rare diseases following the acquisition of Alexion in 2021. Rare diseases are a high-growth therapy area with rapid innovation and significant unmet medical need. Over 7,000 rare diseases are known today, yet less than 1% of them have an approved treatment.
As we begin to build our position as a Rare Disease leader, we seek a Rare Diseases Franchise Head to join our Commercial Team in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Franchise Head is a full-time position, providing a single point of contact for the designated Disease Area community within AZ in the cluster.
The Franchise Head will work very closely with cross functional teams as well as the Business Unit Director to deploy and adapt the AZ Commercial strategy to the local market, including tactics and execution.
The Franchise Head Reports to GCC Business Unit Director and member of GCC RD leadership team.
The Franchise Head will lead the Rare Diseases cross functional team (with direct report of Marketing and Sales), focused on commercial planning and execution maximizing the impact of F2F and virtual engagement to achieve or exceed commercial goals. The Franchise Head will ensure robust analysis and planning to ensure successful launch of new products within franchise via coaching, leading and developing the team, ensuring strong engagement across franchise and collaboration across the cross-functional teams. The position is also responsible for participating in strategic planning process.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Leads all aspects of commercial activities for the franchise, including Marketing and Sales strategy & execution, new patient / patients on therapy targets identification, empowering cross-functional collaboration, and strong patient-centric approach.
• Develops local RD franchise strategy (based on Global strategy) and localized Brand plans including launch plan development & management, performance reviews; ensures strategic integration of expanding portfolio and synergies across portfolio. Successfully identify, plan, and exploit new brand, existing brand, or trade opportunities to develop the business in line with marketing strategic direction. Supervise of using of all sources of market data to develop market models which allow product strategies to be optimised.
• Develops local forecast with solid understanding of P&L, assumptions, insights / trends and solid resource and budget management to deliver on P&L. Drives execution of the brand plans & brand KPIs through close collaboration with cross functional partners. Plans, monitors, and reports team activities accurately and in time, in line with AZ standards, so that relevant KPIs are attained and achieved.
• Develops relevant communication & campaign material, manages external agencies, and ensures sign-off.
• Lead, coach, mentor the team to ensure a professional development of each team member enabling to reach its objectives and to create the highest possible value to the company. Develop and support strong cross-team collaboration.
• Develops and manage relationships with KEEs in collaboration with Medical and senior management. Works with government affairs partners, ensures policy shaping activities and market access to support growth of portfolio.
• Engages proactively above market with global/regional team and other markets to facilitate best practice learnings and ensure quality deliverables.
• Demonstrates business ethics and ensure active respect of values, business ethics, local laws, policies, and Marketing procedures. Ensures all activities and responsibilities are carried out in compliance with the high standards of ethics and integrity required by the Code of Conduct, supporting Policies and Standards and Company Values to protect and enhance long term performance and reputation.

ESSENTIAL FOR THE ROLE

• Significant pharmaceutical commercial experience with a strong performance track record with 12+ years of experience.
• Minimum bachelor’s degree in pharmacy/or scientific field is required.
• GCC Relevant Market experience especially in UAE, Kuwait and Saudi.
• Strong launch experience with proven track record with successfully launching new products and brands. Creative marketing capabilities together with rigorous commercial business sense.
• Strong senior marketing and senior sales leadership with a successful track record of managing sales managers and brand managers with 3+ years of leadership experience.
• Excellent track record of leading and developing teams. Demonstrated driver of motivation and cross-functional teamwork.
• High standards in ethical behaviour.
• Strategic, analytical & negotiation skills.
• Desired experience working in a multicultural or international environment.

DESIRABLE FOR THE ROLE

• Above Market Experience will be an asset
• Master’s degree in business administration
• Rare disease experience, preferably in Haematology, Nephrology, Genetic and Metabolic disorders
• Specialty and oncology experience is desirable