Therapy Area Head-Neuroscience

Role Overview

Therapy Area Head – Neuroscience at Novartis, based in Riyadh. This senior leadership role carries full P&L accountability for the Neuroscience business unit and shapes the future of the therapy area in Saudi Arabia.

Role Purpose

Lead a high-impact Neuroscience business by setting strategy, accelerating portfolio growth, and delivering sustainable business and patient impact across the region.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Planning

• Define and execute the country Neuroscience strategy across the portfolio, pipeline, and external growth opportunities.
• Translate the five-year business ambition into focused annual plans and measurable priorities.
• Anticipate market, customer, policy, and competitor developments, adapting the strategy as needed.

P&L & Commercial Execution

• Own P&L, including budgeting, forecasting, investment priorities, and resource allocation.
• Drive portfolio performance and launch readiness through strong execution and customer engagement.
• Demonstrated P&L ownership, strategic planning, forecasting, and investment discipline.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead Sales, Marketing, and cross-functional teams to deliver growth, profitability, and market-share objectives.
• Build a high-performing organization through coaching, accountability, succession planning, and capability development.

Enterprise Engagement

• Represent Neuroscience on the Country Leadership Team and contribute to enterprise-level strategy and decisions.

Qualifications & Experience

• At least 10 years of pharmaceutical commercial experience.
• Five or more years in a sales or marketing leadership role.
• Saudi Arabia or GCC market experience preferred.
• Experience with Neuroscience or Rare Disease a plus.
• Successful launch experience preferred, with a strong track record of execution excellence.

Skills & Competencies

• Executive communication, influence, and negotiation skills.
• Strong strategic, analytical, and decision-making capability.
• Asset Management, Business Development, Business Strategies, Change Agility, Commercial Excellence, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Customer-Oriented, Digital Marketing, Go-to-Market Strategies, Healthcare Industry, Influencing Skills, Inspirational Leadership, Key Account Management, Market Access, Marketing Strategies, Market Share, Market Trends, Negotiation, People Management, Product Launches, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Profit and Loss (P&L), Sales, Sales Techniques.