Head of Rare Disease
Reading, United Kingdom Permanent Posted on Jun. 10, 2025 Closing on Jul. 03, 2025Head of Rare Disease
- Location: Reading, UK
- Hybrid Working, 3 days per week in the office
About the job
An exciting opportunity has arisen within Sanofi Specialty Care UKIE for a highly talented individual to work with us as the Franchise Head for our Rare Disease product portfolio. Here you will have end to end accountability for the leadership and performance of the UK and Ireland Franchise. The role will report into GM Specialty Care UKIE & Country Lead UKIE.
We are an innovative global healthcare company, committed to transforming the lives of people with immune challenges, rare diseases and blood disorders, cancers, and neurological disorders. From R&D to sales, our talented teams work together, revolutionizing treatment, continually improving products, understanding unmet needs, and connecting communities. We chase the miracles of science every single day, pursuing Progress to make a real impact on millions of patients around the world.
Purpose of role
- Build a comprehensive strategic Franchise plan in line with the global strategy and local operational plans which is in line with the needs of the patient/public health
- Budget and P&L responsibility for the Franchise. Responsible for delivering the commercial performance in UK & Ireland, ensuring compliance with corporate guidelines, local legislation, and healthcare regulations
- Key stakeholder engagement with KOL’s, Clinical Specialists, Patient Associations, DOH to drive market and patient access strategy
- Lead on the delivery of all aspects of the affiliate brand plan including all strategic market development activities
- Responsible for maintaining strong, effective external professional relationships with key stakeholders in Ireland and internally with other Franchise and Global Function Heads including Medical, Regulatory, Quality, External Affairs, P&C and Supply Chain in line with BU interests
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategic Leadership
- Develop and execute the rare disease business strategy aligned with Sanofi's global and regional objectives
- Identify growth opportunities and drive business performance in the rare disease portfolio
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure successful product launches and lifecycle management
- Team Management & Culture
- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of rare disease specialists
- Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and patient-centricity
- Ensure team alignment with Sanofi's 'Take The Lead' strategy and behaviors
- Stakeholder Management
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key opinion leaders, patient advocacy groups, and healthcare professionals in the rare disease community
- Collaborate with market access teams to ensure optimal pricing and reimbursement strategies for rare disease therapies
- Represent Sanofi in industry forums and conferences related to rare diseases
- Business Development
- Identify and evaluate potential partnerships, collaborations, or acquisition opportunities in the rare disease space
- Work closely with global teams on due diligence and integration of new rare disease assets
- Performance Management
- Set and monitor key performance indicators for the rare disease business unit
- Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and Sanofi's ethical standards
- Manage budget and resources effectively to maximize ROI
Key deliverables
- Accountable for the delivery of the expected commercial and profitability performance of the Franchise
- Ensures effective general management & drives operational effectiveness UK & Ireland
- Ensures effective leadership and management of the Franchise team
- Manages & facilitates the governance in UK & Ireland, ensuring alignment with Country, MCO, Region and Global goals and objectives
- Builds, manages, motivates & empowers teams & project groups. Takes responsibility for developing local talent in anticipation of future business needs
- Effectively collaborates with GM Specialty Care UKIE in relation to all matters regarding franchise portfolio and other topics related to commercial and people
About you
You are ready and able to hit the ground running…..
- You are already proven to lead the delivery of business results and create an engaged, diverse and inclusive culture across a complex team of stakeholders
- You have already held direct Line-Management responsibility for a sizeable team
- You have already worked in a global role and/or have solid overseas experience in a relevant therapeutic area
- You are skilled at Brand P&L ownership, forecasting and budget negotiations
- You understand Sanofi’s ambition for GTM transformation and are skilled in leading organisational change and excellence in execution
- You have an agile mindset and method of Leadership to enable continuous improvement
- You have an ability to communicate in a way that engages and inspires others at all levels of the organisation
- You are skilled at networking and influencing across complex internal and external stakeholder networks
- You are a highly resilient individual – able to lead brilliantly in fast-paced, high-pressure environments whilst balancing your own well-being
- You role-model Sanofi's 'Take The Lead' Behaviours through how you lead and how you act day-to-day: Act before seeking permission, Customers and patients at the centre, Sanofi first, Stretch to go beyond the level we’ve operated at before
Why choose us?
- Bring the miracles of science to life alongside a supportive, future-focused team
- Discover endless opportunities to grow your talent and drive your career, whether it’s through a promotion or lateral move, at home or internationally
- Enjoy a thoughtful, well-crafted rewards package that recognizes your contribution and amplifies your impact
- Take good care of yourself and your family, with a wide range of health and wellbeing benefits including high-quality healthcare, prevention and wellness programs and at least 14 weeks’ gender-neutral parental leave
Visas for those who do not already have the right to work in the UK will be considered on a case by case basis according to business needs and resources.
We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, committed to offering interviews to candidates who request consideration under the Scheme and meet the minimum requirements for this role.
If you have a disability and require adjustments for the interview process, please email us at diversity.recruitmentUKIE@sanofi.com. We are dedicated to ensuring an inclusive and supportive experience for all applicants.
#LI-EUR
Pursue Progress. Discover Extraordinary.
Progress doesn’t happen without people – people from different backgrounds, in different locations, doing different roles, all united by one thing: a desire to make miracles happen. You can be one of those people. Chasing change, embracing new ideas and exploring all the opportunities we have to offer. Let’s pursue progress. And let’s discover extraordinary together.
At Sanofi, we provide equal opportunities to all regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, or gender identity.
Watch 'One day at Sanofi' and check out our Diversity Equity and Inclusion initiatives at sanofi.com
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