Lead, Transplant Brand, India

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We're seeking passionate individuals who thrive in dynamic environments, embrace new ideas and aren't afraid to take intelligent risks. People who act with unwavering integrity and are deeply committed to making a tangible impact.

Working Environment and Location

• This position is onsite in CITY, STATE or CITY, COUNTRY    
• This position is hybrid and will require you to be onsite X days per week/month/quarter
• This position is a field-based opportunity in CITY, STATE
• At Astellas we recognize the importance of work/life balance, and we are proud to offer a hybrid working solution allowing time to connect with colleagues at the office with the flexibility to also work from home. We believe this will optimize the most productive work environment for all employees to succeed and deliver. Hybrid work from certain locations may be permitted in accordance with Astellas’ Responsible Flexibility Guidelines.

Working Hours

Purpose and Scope

The Lead, Transplant Brand – India is responsible for leading and managing the transplant portfolio in India. The role focuses on defining the brand direction, driving business growth, and ensuring strong execution of all brand activities. This role ensures that the needs of doctors, patients, and the healthcare system are well understood and addressed through simple, effective, and compliant actions. The role represents the brand within cross-functional teams and ensures alignment across sales, medical, and market access teams. The role is also responsible for improving patient access and strengthening Astellas’ position in transplant therapy in India through strong planning, collaboration, and consistent execution.

The Lead represents the consolidated brand voice in cross-functional teams (E.g. Sales, Commercial Excellence, Market Access, Compliance, Regulatory and Medical Team) and ensures impactful evidence communications are incorporated in the Operational Plans. The Lead will ensure prioritization of Operational Plan activities to demonstrate the value of Astellas’ products to relevant external stakeholders including but not limited to HCP and patients. The Lead is responsible for seeking global alignment of OP activities across brands. This role requires in-depth understanding of the Indian Pharma environment and close partnership with cross functional stakeholders to optimize insight translation into marketing strategies and tactics that support the Brand Strategy. 

This position requires excellent interpersonal and matrix leadership skills to support effective partnerships with key internal and external stakeholders including global/regional/local commercial teams, Regional/International markets Brand Strategy team/Medical Leads, and external stakeholders (such as KEE).

Role and Responsibilities

Brand Strategy and Planning

• Lead the development of the annual brand plan for transplant products in India
• Define clear priorities, focus areas, and key actions for the brand
• Use market insights, business data, and customer feedback to guide decisions
• Regularly review and update plans based on market changes and performance

Brand Ownership and Leadership

• Take full ownership of brand performance and growth
• Act as the main point of responsibility for all brand-related decisions
• Ensure balance between short-term results and long-term growth
• Provide clear direction to internal teams on brand priorities

Execution of Brand Activities

• Ensure effective execution of all marketing and promotional activities
• Work closely with the sales team to implement plans in the field
• Monitor quality and timeliness of all activities
• Identify gaps and take corrective actions quickly

Market Understanding

Develop strong understanding of:

• Transplant therapy landscape in India
• Treatment practices and HCP behaviour
  • Patient journey and challenges
  • Track competitor activities and market trends
  • Use insights to improve brand plans and execution

  Scientific and Medical Alignment

  • Work closely with medical affairs to ensure all communication is accurate
  • Support development of scientific content for healthcare professionals
  • Ensure all materials and activities follow compliance guidelines
  • Present scientific information in a clear and practical way

  Stakeholder Engagement

  • Build strong relationships with key transplant HCPs and centers
  • Support engagement with hospitals and institutions
  • Participate in scientific meetings and discussions
  • Represent the brand in relevant forums when required

Continue:Role and Responsibilities

Patient Access and Market Access Collaboration

• Work with market access team to manage PSPs in transplant therapy
• Develop & Support innovative initiatives to improve patient reach and continuity of treatment

Evidence and Insights Generation

• Support generation of local data such as real-world evidence and surveys
• Work with medical and other teams on research and studies
• Use data to strengthen brand communication and decisions
• Ensure effective use of insights across teams

Cross-functional Collaboration:

• Work closely with Sales, Medical Affairs & Regulatory, Market Access, Commercial excellence, supply chain, finance and Legal/Compliance for alignment and smooth execution across all functions.
• Support internal training and communication

Performance Management

• Track brand performance including sales and key business metrics
• Monitor effectiveness of initiatives and activities
• Identify risks and opportunities early & Take actions to improve results

Budget and Resource Management

• Manage the brand budget responsibly & Allocate resources based on priorities
• Track spend and ensure effective use of investments

Compliance and Ethics

• Ensure all activities follow company policies and local regulations
• Maintain high standards of integrity and ethical conduct

Ensure accuracy and compliance in all communications

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy or Biotechnology, MBA preferred
• 8–12 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry
• Experience in Specialty Brands preferred.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking, problem solving and decision-making skills
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal relationship & collaboration skills within cross-functional teams
• Ability to recognize problem situations and use both formal and informal methods to find solutions and make independent decisions on complex problems.
• Thorough understanding of UCPMP guidelines. Strong sense of ethics, compliance and integrity
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills