Disease Area Lead, Oncology - Bulgaria

About this role

Responsibilities

• Strategic and Commercial Planning
• Own and drive the overall oncology franchise strategy and long-term growth agenda, in alignment with the Franchise Head, Oncology Balkans
• Lead business and strategy planning, including forecasting, market analysis, and pricing and reimbursement strategy, ensuring critical success factors for Bulgaria are met
• Lead the creation of innovative and highly effective strategic brand plans grounded in a deep understanding of the patient journey
• Develop clear country value propositions for patients and healthcare professionals, ensuring full alignment with the Global brand team strategy
• Provide strategic direction and ensure high-quality execution through Brand Managers and cross-functional teams, anticipating marketplace changes and maximising growth opportunities
• Lead or oversee all product launches and line extensions within the franchise
• Oversee budget management for all brands within the franchise
• Cross-Functional and Franchise Leadership
• Lead and align cross-functional teams across Medical, Market Access, Sales, Diagnostics, and Regulatory to deliver franchise priorities through a single, coherent franchise vision
• Implement a cross-functional account planning and customer engagement strategy, regularly evaluating effectiveness and exploring innovative approaches
• Build and maintain strong external relationships within the oncology community, including with KOLs, patient organisations, and healthcare systems
• Source and engage external agencies and suppliers, in conjunction with Procurement and Brand Manager(s), to enhance brand and franchise performance
• Sales Management
• Agree and deliver on growth, sales, and operational targets for the franchise
• Work with Key Account Managers to identify and prioritise strategically valuable accounts and develop account strategies aligned with franchise direction and the national regulatory environment
• Monitor business plan implementation and KAM sales performance to ensure profitability and KPIs are achieved as planned
• People Leadership and Capability Building
• Build a high-performing franchise team through active coaching, mentoring, and structured capability development for Brand Manager(s) and Key Account Manager(s)
• Develop and implement people plans that ensure both immediate franchise success and long-term talent development
• Promote a culture of diversity, lifelong learning, collaboration, and psychological safety, enabling individuals to reach their full potential and contribute to shared success
• Manage manpower costs effectively within the franchise
• Compliance
• Ensure all franchise activities comply with the AZ Code of Ethics, Global External Interactions Policy, Privacy Policy, external regulations, and internal policies
• Monitor and reinforce compliance by team members and third parties, and promptly address and report instances of non-compliance
• Complete all required training, including product examinations, on time

Requirements

• University degree in Medicine, Pharmacy, or a Life Sciences discipline, with a minimum of 5 years' relevant experience in an innovative pharmaceutical company
• Proven people leadership experience, including directly managing, coaching, and developing team members such as Brand Managers and Key Account Managers
• Proven experience leading cross-functional teams and operating effectively within matrix organisations across Medical, Market Access, Diagnostics, Sales, and Regulatory
• Proven ability to drive change and lead teams through complex, fast-moving commercial environments
• Strong understanding of the Bulgarian healthcare system, including reimbursement pathways and market access dynamics
• Ability to integrate scientific knowledge with external and internal insights to develop patient-centred brand strategies, communicate complex clinical information effectively, and build lasting stakeholder relationships
• Proven ability to develop localised marketing solutions that translate global strategy into local market needs
• Ability to set and achieve strategic franchise goals, lead forecasting processes, and define sales, cost, and operational targets
• Ability to provide high-quality input to Senior Management and oversee organisational processes and budgets
• Strategic and creative thinking, with proven leadership, communication, presentation, and negotiation skills
• Fluency in Bulgarian and English, both written and spoken
• Valid driving licence
• Desirable Requirements
• Experience in Oncology, Oncology Brand Management, or another specialty or innovative therapy area, with strong commercial experience across marketing and/or sales functions
• Experience in omnichannel and/or digital marketing
• Experience in sales or sales management
• Learning agility and resilience
• Strong patient orientation and a collaborative, inclusive working style
• Experience in market access and/or policy-shaping projects
• What To Expect