Therapy Area Head-Neuroscience

Novartis; Saudi Arabia; On-site; SAR 1,200,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Job summary

Novartis in Riyadh seeks a Therapy Area Head for Neuroscience to lead the country strategy, accelerate portfolio growth, and drive sustainable business and patient impact. This senior leader will own P&L and oversee Sales, Marketing, and cross-functional teams, shaping annual plans and long-term priorities.

The role requires 10+ years in pharmaceutical commercial roles, with 5+ years in leadership, and a strong track record in launches, market access, and strategic execution within the Saudi/GCC

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of pharmaceutical commercial experience, including five or more years in a sales or marketing leadership role.

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

Sales Leadership

Marketing Leadership

P&L Ownership

Strategic Planning

Forecasting

Negotiation Skills

Executive Communication

Analytical Thinking

Portfolio Management

Go-to-Market Strategies

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 Share, Market Trends, Negotiation, People Management, Product Launches, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Profit and Loss (P&L), Sales, Sales Techniques