Director, Portfolio Lead Intercontinental Pharma / Specialty (m/f/d)

Intercontinental Portfolio Lead

Reports to: AVP Intercontinental Business Operations

Position Summary

The Intercontinental Portfolio Lead is a critical leadership role within the Intercontinental (IC) Regional Team, responsible for driving franchise performance, execution excellence, and strategic alignment across the Pharma/Specialty portfolio. The Portfolio Lead will ensure effective translation of strategy into execution, accelerate launch readiness, and deliver sustained performance across markets, while serving as the primary interface between Global Franchises and the Intercontinental Region. In addition, the Portfolio Lead is accountable for leading 12 high-impact cross-regional strategic initiatives, focused on advancing capabilities, improving execution models, and unlocking growth across Intercontinental markets.

The role requires deep enterprise and commercial strategic expertise, a hands-on execution-focused leadership approach, and a strong understanding of the Intercontinental business. Success requires strong analytical skills to generate insights and actionable plans, exceptional influencing skills with tact and diplomacy, and a proven track record of business leadership, collaboration, and delivering results in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Position Responsibilities

Franchise Leadership & Regional Stewardship

• Act as the IC lead and spokesperson for the Pharma/Specialty franchise
• Lead and coordinate the IC franchise community and squads across regions
• Drive alignment of strategy, priorities, and execution across markets and sub-regions (CMOs/RCLs in AP, EEMEA, and LATAM)
• Represent IC perspectives in global discussions and governance
• Act as the primary interface between Global Franchises and Intercontinental, building strong partnerships across global, regional, and local stakeholders

Strategy Execution & Performance Management

• Consolidate global strategies into clear, actionable regional priorities
• Monitor, consolidate, and report business performance across the portfolio
• Identify risks and opportunities and drive proactive course correction
• Ensure disciplined execution against financial and strategic objectives

Launch Excellence & Portfolio Acceleration

• Coordinate regional efforts for launch readiness and launch excellence
• Drive lifecycle management priorities and portfolio optimization
• Support execution across both launch and in-line assets

Strategic Initiatives & Capability Building

• Lead 12 cross-regional strategic projects such as localizations, commercial business development, above-market partnerships, and capability deployment in coordination with cross-functional teams (Access, Policy, BD, DHH)

Required Experience and Skills

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience across marketing, sales, access, commercial operations or related experiences in pharmaceutical or management consulting company
• Bachelor's degree required; Advanced degree (MBA, MSc, or equivalent) preferred
• Proven track record in commercial strategy and execution, launch excellence and/or portfolio management, leading complex, cross-functional initiatives
• Exposure to multiple markets and diverse healthcare systems

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Depth of Therapeutic Area expertise in Pharma/Specialty, coupled with the Intercontinental region experience (Market experience is a strong plus (P&L and people management))
• Depth of Marketing, Market Access understanding and P&L management, as well as a fundamental understanding of the Intercontinental business
• Leadership and Impact: Proven track record of high-performance launches and driving business results
• Collaboration & Influence without authority: Strong collaboration skills, both within commercial teams and cross divisional teams including R&D and manufacturing, medical affairs, Outcomes Research and Access
• Communication: Ability to clearly articulate messages/information across the enterprise and to all levels, including highest levels of senior leadership
• Strategic Thinking: Proven ability to analyze complex data and create clear patient and customer centric strategies
• Challenging Status Quo: Ability to push past internal obstacles to drive initiatives forward

Travel

• Position requires up to 30-50 % travel

Location

• Preference is for this role to be based in Lucerne, Switzerland (Intercontinental HQ). Relocation support can be provided to the successful candidate, if required.
• The role may also be based in the United States, in Rahway or Upper Gwynedd. Only U.S.-based local candidates will be considered for U.S.-based positions, and no visa or relocation support to the United States will be provided.