Therapy Area Head-Neuroscience

SA01 (FCRS = SA001) Novartis Saudi Arabia Ltd; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 650,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Novartis Saudi Arabia Ltd. seeks a high-impact Therapy Area Head- Neuroscience in Riyadh to set strategy, accelerate portfolio growth, and deliver sustained business and patient impact.

You will lead Sales, Marketing, and cross-functional teams with full P&L accountability, shaping Neuroscience across the Saudi market. The role requires a proven track record in pharmaceutical leadership, successful launches, strategic planning, and strong executive communication.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of pharmaceutical commercial experience, including 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 is preferred, with a strong track record of execution excellence.
• Demonstrated P&L ownership, strategic planning, forecasting, and investment discipline.
• Strong executive communication, influence, and negotiation skills.
• Strong strategic, analytical, and decision‑making capability.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the country Neuroscience strategy across the portfolio, pipeline, and external growth opportunities.
• Lead Sales, Marketing, and cross-functional teams to deliver growth, profitability, and market-share objectives.
• Own P&L, including budgeting, forecasting, investment priorities, and resource allocation.
• Drive portfolio performance and launch readiness through strong execution and customer engagement.
• 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.
• Build a high-performing organization through coaching, accountability, succession planning, and capability development.
• Represent Neuroscience on the Country Leadership Team and contribute to enterprise-level strategy and decisions.

Skills

Executive communication

Strategic thinking

Negotiation

People management

Cross-functional collaboration

Sales leadership

Market access

Product launches

Job description

Job Description Summary

Therapy Area Head- Neuroscience Location : Riyadh Are you ready to lead a high-impact business and shape the future of Neuroscience in Saudi Arabia? We are seeking an experienced commercial leader to set the Neuroscience strategy, accelerate portfolio growth, and deliver sustainable business and patient impact. This senior leadership role carries full P&L accountability and leads Sales, Marketing, and cross-functional teams.

Job Description Major accountabilities:

• Define and execute the country Neuroscience strategy across the portfolio, pipeline, and external growth opportunities.
• Lead Sales, Marketing, and cross-functional teams to deliver growth, profitability, and market-share objectives.
• Own P&L, including budgeting, forecasting, investment priorities, and resource allocation.
• Drive portfolio performance and launch readiness through strong execution and customer engagement.
• 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.
• Build a high-performing organization through coaching, accountability, succession planning, and capability development.
• Represent Neuroscience on the Country Leadership Team and contribute to enterprise-level strategy and decisions.

Requirement:

• At least 10 years of pharmaceutical commercial experience, including 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 is preferred, with a strong track record of execution excellence.
• Demonstrated P&L ownership, strategic planning, forecasting, and investment discipline.
• Strong executive communication, influence, and negotiation skills.
• Strong strategic, analytical, and decision‑making capability.

Skills Desired

• Asset Management
• 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 Trends
• Negotiation
• People Management
• Product Launches
• Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)
• Profit and Loss (P&L)
• Sales
• Sales Techniques {+ 4 more}

Improving the lives of people living with disease takes more than innovative science. It takes a focus on the needs of people and a community committed to meeting them. It takes a team of people like you. Working together. Learning together. Thriving together. Discover how you can join us in changing people’s lives.