Head of Business Excellence

JOB TITLE

  Head of Business Excellence

L Location: Riyadh

ABOUT ASTRAZENECA

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. But we’re more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies.

ROLE SUMMARY

In AstraZeneca Saudi, we turn ideas into life changing medicines. Working here means thinking big and working together to make the impossible a reality. We’re passionate about the potential of science to address the unmet needs of patients across the Kingdom. We commit to those areas where we believe we can really change the course of medicine and bring big new insights to life.

In our ever-changing environment, finding the right blend between innovation and new ways of working while maintaining focus on core principles for impactful customer interactions is more important than ever. In short, launch success and operational excellence are central to long-term success for patients, for society overall, and for the AZ in Saudi.

What you’ll do

• Develops Saudi pre-launch frameworks, sets launch guidelines in line with brand global and local strategy and defines and tracks pre/post launch KPIs, ultimately securing that the launch brands maximizes the potential of each asset to the benefit of patients and AstraZeneca.
• Outlines the commercial capabilities needed for future success, ensures these capabilities are developed across Saudi business units/functions, and owns the assessment of execution quality for these capabilities.
• Leads Sales Force Effectiveness (SFE) to optimize field team structure, sizing, targeting, and performance, Integrates insights to inform strategic decisions at above-brand level.
• The vision for Innovation & Business Excellence Function is to support the AstraZeneca 2030 Ambition with a relentless focus on securing pre-launch excellence, execution excellence, future-proofing affiliate performance with elevated world-class capabilities, and transforming care pathways across Saudi Arabia.
• As Innovation & Business Excellence Manager, the overall responsibility is twofolds: Orchestrate above-brand Insights & Analytics including brands performance trackers/dashboards for SLT monthly performance review meetings, and drive Launch Excellence & ensure AZ Saudi team launch capabilities at top industry standards. This role has direct line management for the existing I & A manager & manages the entirety of launch excellence process, this role partners closely with SFE Function ,brand teams, market access, medical, finance, and global/regional counterparts.

Launch Excellence & Analytics:

• Lead the affiliate Insights & Analytics function to collect, synthesize, and translate above-brand insights for senior leadership decision-making on strategic directions.
• Build triangulated diagnostic views by integrating commercial performance data, SFE reports, market research, channel analytics, and external data sources to identify opportunities and risks.
• Establish standardized insight generation cadences (e.g., monthly business pulse, quarterly strategic reviews) and deliver clear, actionable recommendations to influence portfolio and resource allocation.
• Maintain governance for data quality and promote a culture of evidence-based decision-making across the affiliate.
• Embed AZ launch framework ( LaunchPAL) and outline brand-aligned launch guidance in partnership with brand leads and cross-functional teams.
• Define and track pre-launch KPIs and Launch Readiness Indicators; conduct Launch Readiness Reviews with local teams, escalating risks and mitigation plans.
• Coordinate cross-functional launch workshops; set resource guidance and conduct resource assessments aligned to brand plans and medium-term planning.
• Post-launch, lead performance and diagnostic assessments to catalyze uptake, share best practices, and adjust strategy based on local insights and execution feedback.

During the pre-launch phase, the Business Excellence Manager is responsible for:

• Embedding the AZ launch framework and ensuring brand-specific guidance is implemented across Saudi teams.
• Driving use of affiliate launch tools and trackers; monitoring progress across key areas.
• Setting and tracking pre-launch KPIs and conducting Launch Readiness Reviews in partnership with brand and functional leads.
• Outlining brand capability plans aligned to launch needs and ensuring teams have the required skills at point of launch.
• Providing guidance on field resources, sizing, and structure; conducting resource assessments based on business plans and submissions.

During the post-launch phase, the Innovation & Business Excellence Manager is responsible for:

• Conducting post-launch reviews with brand teams and cross-functional stakeholders to ensure actions are taken to further catalyze uptake.
• Performing triangulation analyses between performance metrics and diagnostics leveraging SFE reports and other affiliate data to track launch progress, drive actions, and share best practice.
• Reviewing medical and commercial resourcing to ensure key customers are engaged with the needed frequency and quality of interactions.
• Leading above-brand diagnostic reporting and securing needed adjustments to strategy at the affiliate level.

The Business Excellence Manager reports to the Commercial Operations Director, Saudi Arabia, and supports Saudi Brand Teams and cross-functional partners, while engaging with Regional and Global Business Excellence and Insights teams for alignment and best-practice sharing.

PRIORITIES AND DELIVERABLES – Saudi Affiliate Near-term priorities:

• Define and institutionalize above-brand insight generation and executive-ready reporting cadence to inform strategic choices and resource allocation.
• Set Saudi launch KPIs and LRIs; conduct launch workshops and readiness reviews for upcoming launches; outline brand-specific capability plans to ensure skills at point of launch.

Post-launch performance:

• Drive ongoing performance and diagnostic assessments to secure strong launch trajectories across prioritized brands.
• Review medical and commercial resourcing; ensure priority accounts and HCPs are engaged with the right frequency and content across channels.

Lead go-to-market (GTM) work to inform field team and hybrid roles structure for portfolio evolution; implement coaching and account working programs in partnership with line managers

Only Applications in KSA will be considered.

Essential for the role

• Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree in business, health sciences, or related field preferred.
• Proficiency with analytics and SFE tools; strong data literacy and ability to translate insights into decisions.
• Ability to work effectively across different functions and cultures; familiarity with Saudi market dynamics and healthcare system.
• Compliance and Governance:

Uphold AstraZeneca’s Code of Ethics, compliance standards, and local regulatory requirements. Ensure data privacy, consent, and appropriate use of customer data in all SFE and insights activities. Maintain rigorous governance for KPI definitions, reporting accuracy, and audit readiness.

• Significant experience in the biopharma industry, with strong preference for roles in franchise head leadership, commercial excellence, or marketing management, strong understanding of SFE function is a plus.
• Track record of successful launches and performance improvement, diverse knowledge of AZ brands & TAs experience is a plus but not mandatory depending on portfolio.
• Proven ability to drive performance with accountability for outcomes; experience leveraging P&L drivers and resource optimization.
• Strong influencing skills and collaborator management, including interactions at senior level.
• Experience outlining and pulling through brand strategy into executable plans and measurable KPIs.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and lead teams in a complex matrix organization, including direct line management and indirect leadership.
• People management experience.

Why AstraZeneca?

At AstraZeneca we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients, and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration, and always committed to lifelong learning, growth, and development. We’re on an exciting journey to pioneer the future of healthcare.

So, what’s next?

• Are you already imagining yourself joining our team? Good, because we can’t wait to hear from you.
• Are you ready to bring new ideas and fresh thinking to the table? Brilliant! We have one seat available, and we hope it’s yours.

Where can I find out more?

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Date Posted

Closing Date

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity.  We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills.  We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.  We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics.  We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.