Acino is a Swiss pharmaceutical company, leader in advanced drug delivery technologies. We have a clear focus on selected emerging markets in the Middle East, Africa, the CIS Region and Latin America, and operate in some of the most dynamic countries of the world. We value courage, commitment, trust and empathy and provide an environment that supports initiative and effort. We are proud to be action-oriented and open-minded, with a strong focus on quality and product availability, even in remote and hard to reach areas of the world.


This role will be based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and will report to the Commerical Excellence Director, META.
The role will be leading the strategic direction, business performance, and market expansion of the specialty care portfolio in the region. This role is critical in driving growth for products that address therapeutic areas such as infectious diseases, rare diseases, and specialty pharmaceuticals. The Franchise Head will focus on enhancing access capabilities and ensuring effective commercialization while collaborating with cross-functional teams. The position requires recent experience in KSA and Gulf markets to navigate complex regulatory environments and optimize market access strategies.


Your responsibilities will be:
Drive Strategic Growth

• Develop and implement regional strategies for the specialty care portfolio, ensuring alignment with global and country-specific objectives.
• Lead the execution of regional marketing plans, optimizing product growth and addressing market access challenges.
• Provide strategic input into business development projects, evaluating partnerships and market expansion opportunities in KSA and Gulf markets.
• Oversee successful product launches and life-cycle management to meet the needs of patients and healthcare providers.

Build Strong Brand Equity

• Drive the development and execution of brand strategies to strengthen brand equity in specialty therapeutic areas.
• Ensure the brand’s value proposition is effectively communicated, resonating with healthcare professionals and key stakeholders.
• Collaborate with marketing teams to enhance brand differentiation and ensure consistency across markets.
• Monitor brand performance and market perception, making adjustments to strategies as needed.

Enhance Access Capabilities

• Lead initiatives to improve market access for specialty products, focusing on pricing, reimbursement, and regulatory requirements in KSA and Gulf markets.
• Collaborate with local teams to develop and implement strategies that address access challenges and enhance product availability.
• Build relationships with key stakeholders, including payers and health authorities, to facilitate access to specialty medications.

Inspire to Lead

• Mentor and coach country teams, fostering a culture of high performance, accountability, and continuous development.
• Empower teams with the strategies and resources needed to achieve regional success and drive commercial outcomes.
• Promote cross-functional collaboration between marketing, sales, medical, and market access teams for cohesive execution.

Promote Change

• Lead product commercialization and life-cycle management, promoting adaptability in response to evolving market dynamics.
• Champion innovative approaches and digital transformation to ensure portfolio competitiveness.
• Advocate for continuous improvement and the adoption of new initiatives to drive growth.

Drive Customer Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with healthcare professionals, KOLs, and regulatory bodies to strengthen market positioning.
• Support local teams in executing customer-centric marketing strategies and product launches that drive engagement and adoption.
• Ensure the portfolio’s value proposition resonates with external stakeholders and addresses healthcare needs effectively.

Communicate Effectively

• Serve as a key liaison between country teams and regional/global leadership, ensuring clear alignment on objectives and initiatives.
• Provide actionable insights and feedback to guide local teams in achieving regional goals.
• Present portfolio performance and strategic direction to senior leadership, offering insights and recommendations.

Catalyze Digital Empowerment

• Promote the integration of digital tools and analytics to enhance decision-making and market execution.
• Lead the implementation of omnichannel marketing strategies to ensure comprehensive customer engagement.
• Drive digital initiatives to optimize sales and marketing effectiveness.

Business Acumen

• Monitor and analyze franchise performance across the region, using insights to make strategic adjustments and drive growth.
• Ensure efficient allocation of resources and that marketing investments deliver measurable value.
• Leverage data-driven decision-making to align business outcomes with growth objectives.

Coaching for Development

• Lead the development of country teams through regular coaching and capability-building initiatives.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and development, promoting best practice sharing across the region.
• Mentor key talents within the region to build leadership and enhance commercial team capabilities.

Your Profile:

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, Pharmacy, or related fields; an advanced degree (e.g., MBA) is preferred.
• 12+ years of experience in specialty care preferably including infectious diseases, commercial management, or related fields within the pharmaceutical industry, with recent experience in KSA and Gulf markets.
• Proven track record in driving commercial growth and managing cross-functional teams in complex environments.
• Access Capabilities: Strong understanding of market access dynamics, pricing, and reimbursement processes in KSA and Gulf markets.
• Brand Management & Equity Building: Expertise in developing and executing strategies to build strong brand equity in specialty therapeutics.
• Leadership & Coaching: Strong leadership skills, with experience in mentoring and developing high-performing teams.
• Strategic Thinking: Demonstrated ability to develop and execute regional strategies aligned with global and local goals.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Ability to work effectively across sales, marketing, medical, and market access teams.
• Business Development: Expertise in managing alliances and providing strategic input into business development projects.
• Analytical Skills: Strong ability to monitor business performance, use data-driven insights, and make informed strategic adjustments.
• Digital Empowerment: Experience leading digital transformation initiatives and omnichannel strategies.
• Communication & Stakeholder Management: Excellent communication and influencing skills, with a proven ability to engage with internal and external stakeholders.
• Fluency in English is required; proficiency in Arabic and/or Turkish is an advantage.

This is the opportunity to join a very dynamic organization, where decisions are taken fast and where you can actively participate in shaping our future. If this sounds exciting, we would love to hear more about you!