Senior Product Specialist Meta+ - Rare Disease

Role Overview

Senior Product Specialist Meta+ - Rare Disease at AstraZeneca, based in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This is a full-time position reporting directly to the Sales Manager.

Company Overview

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of prescription medicines for serious diseases. The company is undergoing significant transformation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, driven by commitment to advancing healthcare, innovation, and sustainable growth aligned with Saudi Vision 2030. AstraZeneca is accelerating expansion of its geographical footprint in rare diseases following the acquisition of Alexion in 2021. Rare diseases is a high-growth therapy area with rapid innovation and significant unmet medical need; over 7,000 rare diseases are known today, yet less than 1% have an approved treatment.

Role Purpose

Generate clinical demand for rare disease medicines with healthcare professionals by proactively identifying patient targets, presenting value propositions, and recommending patient-centric solutions. Serve the region as a therapeutic area expert while developing strategic and mutually beneficial relationships with healthcare professionals, key external experts, and stakeholders based on deep scientific understanding of rare diseases and therapeutic solutions to deliver life-changing medicines to patients.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Engagement & Promotion

• Engage healthcare professionals in dialogue to promote knowledge about rare disease medicines value proposition, benefits of approved indications, product efficacy and safety profiles, and treatment protocols to support on-label prescribing for appropriate patients using science-driven balanced messages and an appropriate mix of tools and channels, both face-to-face and digital.
• Proactively identify new patient and patients on therapy targets.
• Demonstrate strong in-depth clinical, technical, and scientific knowledge in relevant disease states and product mechanisms of action.
• Ensure rare disease products are optimally utilized in line with national and local guidelines and product license.

Market Development & Strategy

• Improve identification and diagnosis of patients and manage market development objectives, strategies, tactics, and action plans within the stated territory.
• Work with the Sales Manager and/or Franchise Manager to develop and implement a strategy and actions to meet promotional objectives.
• Deploy and adapt the AZ account management strategy to the local market, including tactics and execution.
• Manage allocated budget.

Key Opinion Leader Development

• Establish a key opinion leader (KOL) network.
• Identify and develop KOLs within the territory.
• Liaise with cross-functional medical, marketing, market access, and diagnostic teams to develop long-term relationships and advocacy with KOLs, HCP accounts, and other appropriate external stakeholders.

Disease Awareness & Education

• Increase disease awareness with key target groups.
• Organize workshops and other educational events to facilitate knowledge sharing among relevant healthcare professionals.
• Work with healthcare professionals to identify and test high-risk patients for the relevant diseases.

Sales & Performance Management

• Consistently achieve or exceed sales objectives in the assigned region.
• Provide accurate and timely tracking and reporting of sales activities.
• Share insights and information to strengthen brand positioning, promotional efforts, and access to treatment.

Compliance & Ethics

• Demonstrate business ethics and ensure active respect of values, business ethics, local laws, policies, and marketing procedures.
• Ensure all activities and responsibilities are carried out in compliance with high standards of ethics and integrity required by the Code of Conduct, supporting policies and standards, and company values to protect and enhance long-term performance and reputation.
• Perform other duties within the position's scope as assigned by line manager.

Qualifications & Experience

• University degree with preference for Medical Sciences or Pharmacy.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in hospital business, preferably in niche markets or orphan drugs.
• Experience in neurology field, preferably in rare disease.
• Sales experience in rare diseases preferred.
• Experience working with an overall rare disease portfolio.
• Proven track record for delivering consistent, top-tier sales results.
• Experience in project management.

Skills & Competencies

• Passion for science and commitment to making a positive personal impact.
• Curiosity and learning agility.
• Strong influencing skills to engage key stakeholders in complex clinical environments, including mid- and senior-level specialty care professionals and key accounts in the medical community.
• Proactive and solution-oriented approach.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Collaborative and inclusive working style.
• High ethical standards.

Additional Information

• Only candidates based in KSA will be considered.
• AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity and is committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds.
• The company welcomes and considers applications from all qualified candidates regardless of their characteristics and complies with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment and recruitment, as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.