Executive Director – Renal International (Rare Renal)

Job Description Summary

We are looking for an experienced and motivated leader to join our team and support our mission to advance care for people living with rare renal conditions.

As the Executive Director, Rare Renal, you will lead the overall brand strategy for our rare renal portfolio across key International markets. You will shape the long‑term vision, guide strategic planning, and oversee the development and execution of integrated strategies to support successful launches and sustainable growth.

This role focuses on major markets including Germany, Japan, and China, as well as three broader Regions. You will drive the commercialization of current and future rare renal assets, including lifecycle management initiatives.

The Executive Director reports to the Renal International Disease Area Head and works closely with cross‑functional partners in Development, Medical Affairs, Value & Access, and Customer & Market Activation to ensure aligned and effective strategy implementation. The role also serves as a key commercial representative across multiple internal forums.

Location: Basel, Switzerland
#LI-Hybrid

 

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

• International Launch Strategy: Lead the development and implementation of the launch plan for the assigned product and indication, ensuring alignment with overall asset strategy and corporate objectives

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Orchestrate a global / International cross-functional team (Medical, Regulatory, Access, Commercial, Supply, etc.) to deliver seamless launch execution

• Launch Readiness: Assess and drive readiness across core and priority markets, identifying risks and enabling mitigation plans to ensure timely launch execution

• Insight Integration: Leverage market research, competitive intelligence, and stakeholder feedback to refine positioning, messaging, and tactical planning

• International – Local Partnership: Partner closely with regional and country team to ensure pull-through of international strategy, providing guidance and tools to support in-market success

• Milestone Tracking & Governance: Define and track critical launch milestones and KPIs; lead governance updates and ensure timely decision-making across key forums

• Stakeholder Engagement: Effectively communicate Rare Renal vision and strategic goals to senior leaders, including the International Leadership Team (ILT), Country Presidents (CP), and regional heads

• Compliance & Excellence: Uphold the highest standards of compliance and launch excellence throughout all activities

• Collaborate closely with global development to develop Target Product Profile & Integrated Evidence Plan to maximize commercialization & patient access potential for rare renal portfolio indications and LCM in key markets in International

• Accountable for overall commercial budget and alignment with cross functional team

Essential requirements:

• At least 15 years of commercial experience across various functions in countries and above- country, demonstrating a broad and deep understanding of the commercial landscape

• Proven track record of successful launches, with commercial leadership experience and therapeutic area (TA) leadership in markets

• Experience with high-performing / high-growth brands or markets, with a clear understanding of key drivers that influence shifting customer and patient behaviors to ensure successful asset launches

• Proficient in translating scientific data into differentiated brand value propositions, enabling impactful launches across pre-launch through lifecycle management (LCM)

• Strong track record in collaborating and partnering with cross-unit, cross-functional, and key markets to achieve strategic and performance targets

• Recent, significant Profit and Loss (P&L) leadership experience at country level.

Desirable requirements:

• Commercial experience in renal disease area

• Launch experience in Top 11 International Countries

Location: This role is based in Basel, Switzerland.
Benefits: Read our handbook to learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally: Novartis Life Handbook

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve.

Accessibility and accommodation: Novartis is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to all individuals. If, be-cause of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the recruitment process, or in order to receive more detailed information about the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to inclusion.switzerland@novartis.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

 

Skills Desired

Agility, Agility, Asset Management, Business Development, Business Strategy, Commercial Excellence, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Customer Orientation, Digital Marketing, Go-To-Market Strategy, Healthcare Sector Understanding, Influencing Skills, Inspirational Leadership, Key Account Management, Market Access, Marketing Strategy, Market Share, Market Trends, Negotiation Skills, People Management, Priority Disease Areas Expertise, Product Launches, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Product Positioning, Profit and Loss (P&L) {+ 5 more}