Biogen
Therapy Area Commercial Lead, Rare Disease
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Therapy Area Commercial Lead, Rare Disease
Commercial Therapy Area Lead, Rare Disease – UK & Ireland
About This Role
In the highly visible role of Commercial Therapy Area Lead, Rare Disease, you will lead Biogen’s cross-functional Rare Disease team across the UK and Ireland, with direct accountability for both marketing and commercial field teams.
Biogen has an established presence in rare diseases, with a significant launch currently underway alongside a developing pipeline of licensed and clinical-stage medicines. These programmes address unmet patient needs across four distinct disease areas. Further commercial launches are anticipated through 2027 and beyond, making this a critical period for Biogen’s Rare Disease business.
This position involves:
- Shaping and delivering the UK and Ireland go-to-market strategy, ensuring alignment between local priorities and global strategy.
- Supporting a cohesive “one team” approach across internal teams and external partners.
- Reporting to the Head of Commercial UK, UK.
- Contributing to broader portfolio strategy while ensuring delivery of financial, compliance, and organisational objectives.
This role offers the unique opportunity to:
- Influence the direction of a strategically important therapy area within Biogen UK and Ireland.
- Drive future commercial launches and strengthen execution.
- Contribute significantly to enhancing patient outcomes for those with rare diseases.
This is a hybrid role, requiring 50% of time spent onsite at Maidenhead offices.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership and Strategy
- Provide overall leadership for UK and Ireland sales and marketing activities within the Rare Disease therapy area, ensuring launch success and delivery accountability.
- Develop and implement go-to-market strategies for pre- and post-launch phases, aligning them with European and global plans.
- Define and drive portfolio strategy, including pricing, competitive intelligence, and commercial objectives.
- Set performance objectives and deliver P&L leadership for the Rare portfolio, ensuring financial and operational excellence.
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Team Development & Execution
- Build, develop, and lead a high-performing team, setting clear objectives and development plans to support successful launch execution.
- Foster cross-functional collaboration across Sales, Marketing, Market Access, Medical, and External Affairs to orchestrate delivery of the Rare business.
- Lead strategic and tactical planning processes to ensure sustainable growth and consistent alignment with stakeholder priorities.
Market Engagement & Partnerships
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with healthcare professionals, key opinion leaders, and stakeholders.
- Represent the UK and Ireland business in leadership forums and ensure compliance with all pertinent codes, policies, and regulatory requirements.
- Work closely with Field Force Effectiveness to enhance field capability and performance.
Compliance & Culture
- Uphold high standards of execution and compliance across all operations.
- Support a culture of professional conduct, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Champion patient-centred strategies across the team, ensuring carefully curation of meaningful, impactful interactions.
Key Qualifications & Experience
Core Competencies
- Proven experience as a leader in biotechnology/pharmaceuticals, with a focus on rare disease.
- Strong track record in:
- Leading product launches and shaping portfolio strategy in complex markets.
- Managing specialised secondary care products and developing opinion leader engagement.
- Directing cross-functional teams (e.g., Medical Affairs, Sales, Marketing).
- Navigating competitive markets with cost containment demands.
- Driving commercial performance through data-driven decision-making and market insights.
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Experience & Leading Capabilities
- Leadership of large teams in a hierryarchical, fast-moving organisation.
- Customer-focused mindset, with pr Leidengaag for building strong relationships with hijectomy stakeholders (e.g., KOLs, prescribers, specialists).
- Ability to communicate a compelling vision and lead effectively through operational and strategic shifts.
- Deep market understanding, aligning local requirements with global strategy while complying with all regulatory frameworks.
Education & Credentials
- Bachelor’s degree in Science (or equivalent) preferred, with higher business qualification (e.g., CIM diploma).
- Strong preference for rare disease experience, evidence of multi-product launches and market navigation across competitive spaces.
Personal Attributes
- Flexibility, agility, and a growth mindset.
- Strong change management capability to support organisational transitions.
- A collaborative and inclusive leadership style.
Why Work at Biogen?
Mission-Driven, High-Impact Environment
- Pioneering culture: A commited mid-sized biotech balancing stability and growth, offering unparalleled opportunities to innovate and develop.
- Strategic contributions: Every role directly advances life-changing medicines, aligned with our ethos of Caring Deeply. Achieving Excellence. Changing Lives.
Inclusion, Belonging & Growth
- Committed to diversity and belonging, fostering teams that reflect our communities and serve our patients.
- A supportive culture that empowers performance, learning, and development.
Equal Opportunity Commitment
- All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of background, in keeping with Biogen’s global diversity and inclusion principles.
Biogen is an E-Verify Employer in the United States.
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