Commercial Portfolio Head

Major accountabilities:

Commercial Partnerships and Alliances

• Identify and evaluate partnership opportunities by proactively scanning for external collaborations that can strengthen portfolio value.
• Lead negotiations and structure agreements that align partnership terms with strategic and commercial objectives.
• Manage and sustain strategic alliances to deliver mutual value and adapt to evolving business needs.
• Pilot high-impact projects with the potential to scale at regional or international level.

Digital Marketing Execution

• Activate digital channels to maintain brand visibility and stakeholder engagement in line with business priorities.
• Manage digital content and channels, ensuring assets remain compliant, relevant, and optimized.
• Partner with Therapeutic Area Heads to identify synergies and deploy digital plans that support priority brand performance.

Lifecycle Management

• Build excellence in loss-of-exclusivity planning, preparing brands with tailored pre- and post-LoE strategies.
• Lead brand onboarding from Therapeutic Areas by coordinating assets, budgets, analytics, and stakeholder handovers for a seamless transition.
• Partner with Legal, Value & Access, Supply Chain, and Finance to estimate volume and value erosion following LoE.
• Identify and apply late-stage lifecycle tactics that sustain brand value and reduce post-LoE erosion.
• Streamline portfolio operations by externalizing or retiring assets where appropriate to reduce maintenance effort and cost.

Portfolio Management

• Own budget planning and forecasting to support portfolio priorities and disciplined resource allocation.
• Monitor brand performance and market trends to support data-driven decisions across supported and carry-over products.
• Work closely with Regulatory teams to ensure strong portfolio governance, including risk management plan updates and amendments.
• Manage ad hoc operational requests such as recalls and packaging queries with speed and sound judgment.
• Partner with Supply Chain to minimize stock-outs, reduce write-offs, and support reliable product availability.

Requirements:

• University degree in science or business. Advanced degree in bioscience, medicine, business, and/or management preferred
• More than 5 years' experience in leadership positions within the pharmaceutical or life science industry with proven track-record of P&L and commercial management responsibility
• Deep expertise in end-to-end portfolio management for mature brands, including onboarding, LoE planning, and post-LoE value retention.
• Demonstrated success in partnership development, negotiation, and governance across co-promotion, distribution, or licensing models.
• Experience in regulated digital marketing, including content governance, channel optimization, compliance, and performance analytics.
• Track record of leading cross-functional teams (Legal, Finance, Market Access, Regulatory, Supply Chain, CLS) and navigating complex stakeholder environments.
• Strategic decision-making capability, with clear prioritization frameworks and strong resource optimization across competing portfolio needs
• Enterprise mindset with a focus on long-term portfolio sustainability rather than short-term single-brand wins
• Outcome-oriented leadership style, with a strong focus on KPIs, insight-led action, and continuous improvement
• Saudi market experience is preferred.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive workplace and diverse teams that reflect the patients and communities we serve.