Position: Business Unit Director Respiratory and Immunology  (R&I)

Location: Baar, Switzerland

At AstraZeneca, we’re not afraid to do things differently. We’re resetting expectations of what a bio-pharmaceutical company can be. This means we’re opening up new ways to work, pioneering cutting edge methods and bringing unexpected teams together. We pride ourselves on making sure that each decision we make puts patient needs first. This approach means that our people have permission to take the more unusual path. If they can think of a better, smarter way in which we can change lives through science, we want to hear it.

The Role

In this role you will be responsible for establishing the unit as a strong growth driver for the company and delivering life-changing medicines to Swiss patients.

You will ensure the highest quality of sales and marketing strategy, to achieve a market leading position by delivering sales and contribution through leading and motivating your team.

You will work closely with the medical, regulatory, corporate affairs and market access teams to ensure timely access and to advance innovation for patients.

You will be an active member of the Swiss Senior Leadership Team. Together with the Country President and other Leadership Team members you will create and implement strategy and a culture of commitment, innovation and entrepreneurship, that champions Inclusion and Diversity.

What you’ll do

You will lead the delivery of the sales and cost targets and contribution of given brands as well as develop and implement the TA Brand Strategy Plan(s) and the campaign plans to achieve the agreed goals, managing costs and taking actions to timely rectify performance if needed.

You will lead, coach and mentor employees in order to ensure a professional development and motivation of each team member and actively contribute to our Great Place to Work strategy.

Further responsibilities will also include:

• Develop and support strong cross-team collaboration. Develop working relationships with Medical & Market access Department, Regulatory, Corporate Affairs, Finance and HR and ensure everyone contributes to the success of your Business Unit.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of pricing/reimbursement strategy and plan
• Successfully identify, plan and exploit new brand, existing brand or trade opportunities to develop the business in line with marketing strategic direction
• Provide clear recommendations to Senior Management Team on key business strategies such as budget, overall staffing, key personnel changes, key strategic elements, major tactical programs, and any issues having significant business risk
• Develop effective working relationships with global, regional and other local teams in order to ensure coherence between local and global marketing strategy
• Develop and manage relationships with Key External Experts
• Active participation at international meetings and projects where appropriate
• Supervise phasing of Direct Marketing cost, Sales costs, Sales investment and Personal Costs.
• Supervise of monitoring of sales and product performance and proper analysis of business opportunities.
• Supervise of Sales Force Effectiveness process.
• Demonstrate business ethics and ensure active respect of values, business ethics, local laws, policies and Marketing procedures. Ensure 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, ideally including robust understanding and experience in the Swiss healthcare market
• Strong senior marketing and senior sales leadership with a successful track record of growing market share as well as preparing for and successfully launching new products and brands
• Authentic leader, with a sense for culture and characteristics of people and organizations
• Ambitious and entrepreneurial, taking initiative while being creative and flexible
• Creative marketing capabilities together with rigorous commercial business sense. Demonstrates a drive for innovation
• Excellent track record of managing and developing individuals and teams
• Fluent in English, German and /or French are a plus
• High standards in ethical behaviour
• Strategic & Analytical skills
• Excellent Communication skills - verbal & written
• Demonstrated driver of motivation and cross-functional teamwork
• Influencing skills

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.