Head of strategic projects

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Role Purpose:

The Regional Head of Strategic Projects & Vaccines / Respiratory & CNS is responsible for driving step-change growth across priority portfolios and markets by combining strategic project leadership with end-to-end regional marketing ownership for Vaccines, Respiratory, and CNS.

The role operates at the intersection of strategy, portfolio leadership, and execution, acting as a trusted advisor to the Divisional Vice President and working in close partnership with the Regional Marketing Director to ensure strong alignment across brand strategy, portfolio priorities, and market execution.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Projects & Country Acceleration

• Lead and implement multi-year acceleration plans across priority countries in alignment with regional and global growth objectives.
• Partner with country GMs and cross-functional teams to diagnose growth levers, identify gaps, track strategic initiatives with high ROI, and manage financial reconciliation including P&L modeling, ROI analysis, and risk mitigation planning.
• Capability mapping and training for commercial readiness.
• Lead external engagement with partners, including consulting firms for strategic diagnostics

Vaccines, Respiratory & CNS Marketing Leadership

• Own the regional portfolio and brand strategy for Vaccines, Respiratory, and CNS across diverse market archetypes
• Define strategic choices across indications, segments, channels, and markets, balancing public and private market dynamics.
• Lead regional brand positioning, lifecycle management, and prioritization in close collaboration with the Regional Marketing Director, Global Brand, Medical, and Market Access teams.
• Drive launch excellence and portfolio optimization through clear strategic frameworks, toolkits, and execution standards.
• Enable strong local execution by partnering with country marketing teams on localization, performance tracking, and capability development.
• Reporting & Governance: the role reports overall to the DVP MEAP and maintains a dotted line reporting relationship to the Regional Marketing Director for TA marketing strategy, brand governance, and execution matters.

Executive Support & Strategic Advisory

• Serve as a thought partner and advisor to the DVP and Regional Director on portfolio strategy, market prioritization, and investment choices.
• Lead preparation of executive-level materials, including strategic reviews, SLT updates, and cross-functional decision forums.
• Synthesize complex inputs into clear, structured, and action-oriented narratives that support leadership decision-making.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Act as a regional integrator across Commercial, Medical, Market Access, Regulatory, Supply Chain, Finance, and Legal.
• Establish and maintain effective governance, cadence, and transparency across strategic initiatives.
• Promote best-practice sharing and capability development across markets, strengthening regional execution maturity over time.

Experience & Core Competencies:

• Consultancy background is required.
• Senior commercial, marketing, or strategy leadership experience in pharmaceuticals, experience in vaccines, or specialty care, ideally across multiple markets is a plus
• Proven track record of leading complex, cross-functional initiatives and delivering tangible business outcomes.
• Experience operating in regional or multi-country roles within emerging and developed markets.
• Strong understanding of portfolio strategy, brand leadership, and launch execution.

The base pay for this position is

N/A

In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.

     

JOB FAMILY:

Project Management

DIVISION:

EPD Established Pharma

LOCATION:

United Arab Emirates > Dubai : Dubai Airport Freezone, Building 5WA, Floor 8

ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS:

WORK SHIFT:

Standard

TRAVEL:

Not specified

MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE:

No

SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES:

Not Applicable