Sr. Director, Global Franchise Head Gastroenterology & Rare Disease

Alfasigma; Union (NJ); Remote; USD 202,000 - 269,000; Full time

Job summary

Alfasigma is seeking a Sr. Director, Global Franchise Head for Gastroenterology & Rare Disease to define and execute the global therapeutic area strategy, leading brand planning, resource allocation, and cross-functional collaboration with R&D, Medical Affairs, and Commercial teams.

The role focuses on maximizing long-term franchise value, delivering sustainable growth, and building a high-performing team across global markets with regional partners.

Qualifications

• Significant international pharmaceutical experience in Marketing, Franchise Leadership, or General Management.
• Proven track record in Gastroenterology and Rare Diseases.
• Experience defining and executing Therapeutic Area strategies.
• Strong strategic thinking with execution excellence.
• Experience leading cross-functional, matrix-based global organizations.
• Strong people leadership and talent development capabilities.
• Excellent influencing, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Define and co-lead the long-term Gastroenterology & Rare Disease Therapeutic Area Strategy with R&D, leveraging key stakeholders across Medical Affairs, Business Development, Market Access, and Commercial functions.
• Translate scientific, competitive, and market insights into where to play and how to win franchise strategy.
• Align pipeline development, lifecycle management opportunities, licensing opportunities, and commercial priorities.
• Drive cross-functional decision-making to maximize asset value.
• Establish a sustainable franchise vision that extends beyond brands, indications, and disease areas.
• Define and implement best-in-class global brand plans across Gastroenterology & Rare Disease assets.
• Lead franchise budgeting and investment prioritization processes.
• Identify growth opportunities and manage lifecycle strategies across the portfolio.
• Partner with BD and R&D to maximize external innovation opportunities.

Skills

International pharma experience

Gastroenterology

Rare diseases

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional leadership

Job description

Sr. Director, Global Franchise Head Gastroenterology & Rare Disease

Alfasigma is a privately held global healthcare company founded over 75 years ago in Italy, where it remains headquartered today in Bologna and Milan. The Group operates in over 100 markets spanning Europe, North and South America, Asia, and Africa.

Over three years ago, we embarked on a transformative journey to become a truly global innovative healthcare company with a leading focus on Gastrointestinal (GI) health. We have experienced remarkable growth, nearly doubled our revenues, expanding geographically, and integrating several key acquisitions. We have also evolved our portfolio, expanded into rare and specialty segments, and strengthened our pipeline and people's capabilities.

But our journey is far from complete! In fact, this is just the beginning of a bold new chapter in Alfasigma's history. We are committed to advancing innovation and leveraging our deep expertise to provide better health and a better quality of life for patients and consumers worldwide and expand our reach across diverse markets.

Scope of the Role

The Global Franchise Head Gastroenterology & Rare Disease is responsible for defining and executing the global Gastroenterology & Rare Disease Therapeutic Area Strategy to maximize long-term franchise value and patient impact. This role leads the development of global brand strategies, ensures excellence in brand planning and execution, drives resource allocation decisions, and partners closely with Research & Development, Medical Affairs, and key commercial functions to build a sustainable and differentiated Gastroenterology & Rare Disease franchise.

The role has full accountability for delivering the franchise growth ambition through effective portfolio prioritization, strategic investment decisions, and leadership of the Global Gastroenterology & Rare Disease Marketing Team.

Your Role

• 
  

  1. Therapeutic Area Strategy & Franchise Leadership

  
  

  Define and co-lead the long-term Gastroenterology & Rare Disease Therapeutic Area Strategy with R&D, leveraging key stakeholders across Medical Affairs, Business Development, Market Access, and Commercial functions.

  
  

  Translate scientific, competitive, and market insights into a clear "where to play" and "how to win" franchise strategy.

  
  

  Ensure alignment between pipeline development, lifecycle management opportunities, licensing opportunities, and commercial priorities.

  
  

  Drive cross-functional decision-making to maximize the value of current and future Gastroenterology & Rare Disease assets.

  
  

  Establish a sustainable franchise vision that extends beyond individual brands, indications, and disease areas.

  
  


• 
  

  2. Brand Strategy & Execution Excellence

  
  

  Ensure the development and implementation of best-in-class global brand plans across all Gastroenterology & Rare Disease assets.

  
  

  Establish clear brand ambition, positioning, value propositions, and strategic priorities.

  
  

  Monitor execution of global brand plans and ensure strong alignment between global strategy and local implementation.

  
  

  Define relevant KPIs and performance metrics to track strategic progress and execution quality.

  
  

  Drive continuous improvement in commercial effectiveness and launch excellence.

  
  


• 
  

  3. Commercial Ambition & Resource Allocation

  
  

  Define the 3-year franchise ambition, including sales, market share, and profitability objectives.

  
  

  Develop robust business cases and investment scenarios to support growth objectives.

  
  

  Lead franchise budgeting and investment prioritization processes.

  
  

  Allocate resources across products, indications, markets, and strategic initiatives to maximize return on investment.

  
  

  Ensure the appropriate balance between short-term performance delivery and long-term franchise value creation.

  
  

  Identify and prioritize growth opportunities across the Gastroenterology & Rare Disease portfolio.

  
  

  Lead lifecycle management strategies to optimize value throughout the product lifecycle.

  
  

  Evaluate new indication opportunities, evidence-generation priorities, and franchise expansion initiatives.

  
  

  Partner with Business Development and R&D teams to assess and maximize external innovation opportunities relevant to the Gastroenterology & Rare Disease strategy.

  
  

  Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of Global Brand Managers.

  
  

  Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and execution excellence.

  
  

  Build strong cross-functional partnerships across Global and Local organizations.

  
  

  Ensure effective talent development, succession planning, and capability building within the franchise team.

  
  

  Inspire and align stakeholders around a shared franchise vision and strategic priorities.

  
  

Who Are You

• Significant international pharmaceutical experience in Marketing, Franchise Leadership, or General Management.


• Proven track record in Gastroenterology, Rare Diseases, Specialty Care, and/or Specialty Pharmaceuticals.


• Demonstrated success in defining and executing Therapeutic Area strategies.


• Strong strategic thinking combined with execution excellence.


• Experience leading cross-functional, matrix-based global organizations.


• Strong people leadership and talent development capabilities.


• Excellent influencing, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

What's in It for You

You will be part of a truly global team with high exposure to Alfasigma's Leadership Team, where your impact will be substantial and highly valued. Your personal development will be taken seriously, and your growth will go hand in hand with the growth of the company. We believe that innovation can be translated in many ways, including your own professional development.

At Alfasigma, we foster a culture where the courage to innovate is key to our success.

Our commitment to people and patients is at the heart of everything we do. We value diversity and welcome individuals with unique perspectives and experiences. We believe that open-mindedness, collaboration, and a shared passion for innovation are essential to achieving meaningful progress.

Join Alfasigma and become part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to shaping the future of healthcare and improving outcomes for patients living with gastrointestinal and rare diseases.

Location: This position can be based anywhere in the European Union where Alfasigma's Global Headquarters are located, as well as occasional international travel when needed.

Why Join Alfasigma:

At Alfasigma, we foster a culture where the courage to innovate is key to our success.
We offer a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and extensive opportunities for professional growth and development.

Our commitment to people and patients is at the heart of everything we do. We value diversity and welcome individuals with unique perspectives and experiences. We believe that open-mindedness, collaboration, and a shared passion for innovation are essential to achieving meaningful progress.

Join Alfasigma and become part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to shaping the future of the pharmaceutical industry.