Job Description

JOB TITLE
Franchise Head META+ - Gulf
ABOUT ASTRAZENECA
AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines for some of the world's most serious diseases. But we're more than one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies.
ROLE SUMMARY
AstraZeneca is accelerating its expansion in Rare Diseases following the acquisition of Alexion. Rare diseases are a high-growth therapy area with significant unmet medical need; over 7,000 rare diseases are known, yet fewer than 1% have approved treatments.
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 Dubai. The Franchise Head is a full-time position, providing a single point of contact for the designated Disease Area community within Gulf 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 Business Unit Director and member of 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
Franchise Leadership and Commercial Execution

• Leads all franchise commercial activities across the Gulf, including Marketing and Sales strategy and execution with a patient-centric approach.
• Develops localized RD franchise strategy anchored in Global strategy, including brand plans, launch plans, performance reviews, and strategic integration of an expanding portfolio with synergies across brands.
• Identifies and executes new brand, existing brand, and trade opportunities; supervises use of market data to build market models that optimize product strategies.
• Owns forecasting and P&L delivery: sets assumptions, tracks insights and trends, and manages resources and budgets.
• Drives brand plan execution and KPIs through cross-functional collaboration; plans, monitors, and reports team activities per AZ standards and timelines.
• Develops communication and campaign materials, manages external agencies, and ensures required sign-off.

Team Leadership and Capability Building

• Leads, coaches, and mentor direct reports (Marketing and Sales) and matrix teams to ensure high performance, development, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Develops and manages relationships with KEEs, in collaboration with Medical and senior leadership; supports government affairs and market access to enable policy shaping and portfolio growth.
• Engages above market with global/regional teams to share best practices and ensure quality deliverables.

Ethics and Compliance

• Demonstrates and enforces high ethical standards; ensures compliance with AZ Code of Conduct, policies, local laws, and marketing procedures.
• Timely reporting (as per procedures) of health/environment/wellbeing incidents, adverse events, and conflicts of interest.

Only Applications in UAE will be considered.
Essential for the role
For Internal Candidates:

• Bachelor's degree in pharmacy or a scientific field.
• 7+ years pharmaceutical with a strong performance track record
• Rare Disease and/or Specialty experience
• Gulf relevant market experience.
• Proven track record of successfully launching new products and indications with creative marketing capabilities.
• Proven leadership skills; stakeholder management; strategic thinking
• Business acumen and analytical skills ability to synthesize and integrate insights to set strategy and tactics.
• High standards of ethical behavior; experience in multicultural/international environments.

For External Candidates:

• Bachelor's degree in pharmacy or a scientific field.
• 12+ years pharmaceutical with a strong performance track record
• More than 5 years of success in strategic marketing, brand planning, and project management.
• Strong senior marketing and/or senior sales leadership with a successful track record of managing sales/brand managers with minimum 3+ years of leadership experience.
• Gulf relevant market experience.
• Proven track record of successfully launching new products and indications with creative marketing capabilities.
• Rare Disease and/or Specialty experience
• Proven leadership skills; stakeholder management; strategic thinking
• Excellent track record of leading and developing teams.
• Business acumen and analytical skills ability to synthesize and integrate insights to set strategy and tactics.
• High standards of ethical behavior; experience in multicultural/international environments.

Desirable for the role
For Internal Candidates:

• Master's degree in business administration.

For External Candidates:

• Regional or Global experience.
• Master's degree in business administration.

Why AstraZeneca?
At AstraZeneca we're dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There's no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients, and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration, and always committed to lifelong learning, growth, and development. We're on an exciting journey to pioneer the future of healthcare.
So, what's next?

• Are you already imagining yourself joining our team? Good, because we can't wait to hear from you.
• Are you ready to bring new ideas and fresh thinking to the table? Brilliant! We have one seat available, and we hope it's yours.

Where can I find out more?
Our Social Media, Follow AstraZeneca on
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Date Posted 05-??????-2025
Closing Date 14-??????-2025
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.

Skills Required