Purpose of the Role:
The Brand Manager is responsible for shaping and executing short, medium and long-term marketing strategies for the Ultra Rare Disease portfolio across the MENA region. This role will drive brand growth, optimize market access opportunities, and support patients by ensuring innovative treatments are successfully positioned and adopted. The role requires strong cross-functional collaboration, deep therapeutic expertise, and strong engagement with external stakeholders to achieve revenue, patient access, and portfolio growth objectives.
Responsibilities
1) Strategic Planning & Marketing Insights
- Execute integrated brand and portfolio strategies tailored to diverse MENA markets.
- Conduct market analysis, identify unmet needs, and leverage insights to inform tactical planning.
- Monitor competitive activity and evolving treatment landscapes, providing actionable recommendations.
- Ensure alignment with regional business objectives and global franchise priorities.
2) Regional Market Development
- Adapt global strategies to local market dynamics (Gulf, Saudi Arabia, Levant, North Africa).
- Build a deep understanding of regional healthcare systems, regulatory environments, and rare disease patient pathways.
- Partner with Market Access and Medical Affairs to support pricing, reimbursement, and early access initiatives.
- Engage with policymakers, patient advocacy groups, and KOLs to expand treatment access and awareness.
3) Brand Execution & Operational Marketing
- Lead development of marketing campaigns, promotional activities, and omnichannel engagement programs.
- Drive brand visibility while ensuring strict compliance with Local and regional pharmaceutical regulations.
- Manage brand budget, track ROI of initiatives, and ensure efficient resource allocation.
- Provide training and resources to ensure field force readiness and impactful stakeholder engagement.
4) Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration
- Build and maintain trusted relationships with regional KOLs, HCPs, & patient advocacy groups.
- Partner cross-functionally (Medical Affairs, Regulatory, Commercial) to deliver integrated strategies.
- Support development of disease awareness programs to address diagnostic and treatment gaps in ultra rare diseases.
Required Competencies, Qualifications and Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Medicine, or equivalent; MBA preferred.
- 35 years experience in pharmaceutical brand management, ideally within rare or ultra rare diseases.
- Proven track record in MENA region, with direct exposure to GCC, Saudi Arabia, Levant, and North Africa markets.
- Experience working in multinational pharmaceutical organizations with cross-functional and multicultural teams.
- Strong knowledge of regulatory frameworks, access pathways, and rare disease ecosystems in the region.
Additional Competencies, Qualifications and Experience:
- Strategic thinker with ability to adapt global strategies to local realities.
- Strong business acumen: forecasting, budget management, and lifecycle planning.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and KOL management skills.
- High level of communication, presentation, and negotiation capabilities.
- Ability to work in fast-moving, multicultural environments with resilience and adaptability.
- Proficiency in MS Office and digital engagement tools.
- Fluent in English; Arabic or French is a strong plus
- Previous Interaction and history with Nephrologist, Hematologist, Gastro &/or Geneticists is a plus
