Senior Brand Manager – Rare Disease
by AstraZeneca in Medical Devices & Biotechnology
The Senior Brand Manager – Rare Disease (Gulf Markets) is a full-time position within the Commercial Team based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, responsible for developing and implementing rare disease brand strategies across Gulf Markets. Reporting to the Franchise Head and working closely with the Gulf Franchise Head, the role supports AstraZeneca’s expansion in rare diseases following the acquisition of Alexion in 2021. Rare diseases represent a high-growth therapy area with rapid innovation and significant unmet medical need, with over 7,000 rare diseases known globally and less than 1% having an approved treatment. The Senior Brand Manager leads the brand planning process for the assigned portfolio, defining brand positioning within the competitive landscape including key messages, programs, and initiatives, and adapting global AZ brand strategy to local market needs through tailored tactics and execution plans. Responsibilities include developing and coordinating implementation of marketing programs, managing costs, ensuring launch readiness and planning pre- and post-launch activities, building a solid marketing mix through appropriate channels, and designing programs to enhance customer experience. The role requires deep understanding of the patient journey to design tailored programs addressing diagnostic and management gaps, particularly patient finding activities, and shaping the ecosystem for diagnosis and management of complex disorders. The manager leads forecasting during business planning, contributes to market research planning, monitors KPIs via a brand dashboard, and develops and implements KOL management and KEE management plans. The position manages advertising and support agencies in implementing global communication tools and developing local marketing and promotional materials for field teams, supports execution of promotional events from concept to content delivery, and ensures compliance with the Code of Conduct, Company Values, Marketing procedures, local laws, and ethical standards. The role requires a minimum of 8 years of pharmaceutical experience, including 5 years in Specialty Brand Marketing, proven new product launch experience leading cross-functional teams from 12 months pre-launch through post-launch, experience in rare diseases, orphan drugs, and potentially haematology, nephrology, neurology, or rare endocrine therapy areas, with availability for travel within Gulf Markets and experience influencing at senior level.
