Rare Disease Business Manager

Rare Disease Business Manager

Drive innovation in Rare Disease, build strategic partnerships, and help transform outcomes for patients with complex and underserved conditions. Join a high-impact role at AstraZeneca that brings together science, strategy, and stakeholder engagement to address significant unmet patient needs.

ABOUT ASTRAZENECA

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

Join a high-performing team empowered to challenge convention and drive meaningful change. Our agility, pace, and scientific focus enable us to identify new opportunities and pioneer innovative solutions that make a difference for patients.

Why AstraZeneca?

At AstraZeneca, we are committed to being a Great Place to Work, where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. Our inclusive culture champions diversity, collaboration, continuous learning, growth, and development. Together, we are pioneering the future of healthcare and creating a lasting impact for patients, society, and our communities.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Job Purpose

As the Rare Disease Business Manager, you will lead the commercial execution of the Rare Disease portfolio by aligning cross-functional efforts across Sales, Marketing, Medical, Market Access, and other relevant functions.

You will be responsible for driving business performance, strengthening relationships with key stakeholders, and embedding patient-centric strategies across priority accounts. This role is critical to supporting disease awareness, improving patient identification and access, ensuring launch readiness, and delivering sustainable growth within a complex Rare Disease environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of the Rare Disease commercial strategy across priority territories and accounts.
• Develop and execute territory and account plans aligned with brand objectives, patient needs, and business priorities.
• Build trusted relationships with healthcare professionals, Key External Experts, patient pathway stakeholders, payers, and relevant healthcare institutions.
• Collaborate closely with Sales, Marketing, Medical, Market Access, and other functions to ensure integrated and effective execution.
• Support disease awareness, patient identification, referral pathway optimization, and access initiatives in collaboration with relevant internal teams.
• Identify barriers across the patient journey and contribute to appropriate solutions that improve patient outcomes and access to care.
• Support launch readiness and the effective introduction of new indications, treatments, and patient solutions.
• Monitor market dynamics, stakeholder insights, competitive developments, and business performance to identify opportunities and adjust plans accordingly.
• Lead or support educational and stakeholder engagement initiatives in line with company policies and applicable regulations.
• Manage allocated budgets and external vendors while ensuring operational excellence and an appropriate return on investment.
• Identify new business opportunities and contribute to the development of long-term portfolio and market-shaping plans.
• Embed patient centricity in business planning and decision-making.
• Ensure full compliance with company policies, industry regulations, ethical standards, and local requirements.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Essential Criteria

• A university degree in Pharmacy, Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, Biology, Life Sciences, or another relevant field. ( scientific background is required for this kind of position given the complexity of the pathology – ideally medical background)
• A minimum of five years of experience within the pharmaceutical or healthcare industry, preferably in a multinational organization.
• Experience in Rare Disease is mandatory.
• Previous experience in a commercial, sales, marketing, key account management, or business management role. ( experience in people management is crucial )
• Proven success in commercial execution, territory management, account planning, or cross-functional project leadership.
• Strong understanding of complex patient journeys and the stakeholder ecosystem within the healthcare sector.
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships with healthcare professionals, Key External Experts, payers, and healthcare institutions.
• Strong business acumen, analytical thinking, and the ability to translate insights and data into clear action plans.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, influencing, and presentation skills.
• Strong collaboration skills and the ability to operate effectively within a cross-functional and matrix organization.
• A patient-centric mindset with the ability to identify unmet needs and contribute to appropriate solutions.
• Proficiency in English.
• Willingness and flexibility to travel as required.

Preferred Criteria

• Previous experience in Rare Disease or managing highly specialized treatments.
• Experience with Market Access strategies, reimbursement pathways, and payer engagement.
• Understanding of local healthcare systems, patient referral pathways, and access challenges.
• Experience in launch preparation, market shaping, and new product introduction.
• Experience developing strategic account plans and patient journey maps.
• Knowledge of diagnostic pathways, patient identification, and multidisciplinary care models.
• Ability to build innovative partnerships and work with diverse external stakeholders.
• Strong analytical capabilities and experience translating market insights into actionable commercial plans.
• Familiarity with compliance requirements and regulatory approval processes for commercial and promotional activities.

If you are passionate about making a meaningful difference for patients with Rare Diseases and are ready to lead with purpose, strategy, and collaboration, we encourage you to apply.

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.