Join Our H&EP Team
Fulfilling our company’s mission to save and improve lives around the world inspired the formation of the H&EP team. H&EP focuses on developing commercially sustained business models that expand access to our medicines and vaccines in low- and middle-income countries (L&MICs). We are a high-visibility, externally facing team working across franchises, markets, and corporate functions to operationalize scalable, sustainable solutions.
Role Summary
We are seeking a hands-on Associate Director, Strategic Operations & Commercial Solutions (m/f/d) to serve as the VP’s primary strategic and operational partner while leading Commercial Solutions & New Launch Execution across priority L&MIC markets. The role will initially focus on establishing effective executive support and operational rhythms for this new and dynamic team and then quickly transition to lead the design, activation, and execution of commercial partnership solutions and new product launches. The ideal candidate will combine rigorous strategic thinking, strong program management, and hands-on execution experience in large, matrixed organizations, preferably in life sciences, healthcare, or technology. The position can be based in Switzerland or in any country within the EMEA time zone.
Time Allocation (Typical)
- Executive partnership & strategic operations: ~60%
- Commercial solutions, partnerships & new launch execution: ~40%
Key Responsibilities
Executive Partnership & Strategic Operations (~60%)
- Act as the VP’s primary strategic and operational partner: manage priorities, prepare executive-ready briefings, and ensure follow-through on decisions and commitments.
- Plan and drive preparation for senior leader meetings (internal and external): create agendas, pre-reads, talking points, and action logs; track and close follow-ups.
- Maintain a forward-looking view of milestones, deadlines, and risks; proactively surface issues and recommended actions to the VP.
- Represent the VP in selected internal and external meetings within agreed parameters; escalate or make decisions as appropriate.
- Build and sustain ways of working across the enterprise: create and maintain team operating rhythms (meeting cadences, reporting templates, governance mechanisms) and performance dashboards that improve clarity, enable faster decision-making, and reduce friction across franchises and markets.
- Improve team effectiveness by identifying and removing operational bottlenecks, converting strategic intent into executable work plans with clear owners and milestones, and recommending resource trade-offs to protect the team’s highest-value work.
Commercial Solutions & New Launch Execution (~40%)
- Lead design and activation of commercial partnership models that unlock sustainable access in L&MICs—engaging health systems, private-sector partners, NGOs, and financing bodies.
- Drive end-to-end project execution for new product launches in priority markets: scoping, planning, cross-functional alignment (Market Access, Medical, Regulatory, Finance, Regional Commercial), launch readiness, and post-launch review.
- Negotiate and structure partnership agreements that align incentives, clarify roles, and create clear pathways to scale and sustainability.
- Build and maintain project tracking systems and KPIs to provide leadership with real-time visibility into status, decisions, and risks.
- Conduct rigorous market and situational analyses—synthesizing commercial, epidemiological, financing, and competitive data—to prioritize opportunities and inform recommendations.
- Manage external partner relationships throughout the project lifecycle: maintain momentum, resolve escalations, and ensure alignment on objectives and timelines.
Team Leadership & Stakeholder Management
- Coach, mentor, and support team members; identify capability gaps and help shape hiring and onboarding to build a high-performing team.
- Coordinate cross-functional and cross-regional stakeholder engagement to ensure organizational readiness and accountability for initiatives.
- Serve as a thought partner on team strategy, reputation, and organizational dynamics—bringing recommendations and options for key stakeholder conversations.
Qualifications
- 7+ years of professional experience with a strong mix of strategy and operations in large, matrixed organizations; experience in life sciences, healthcare, or technology preferred.
- Demonstrated experience in strategy-to-execution roles: program management, new product launch, or commercial strategy in multiple L&MIC markets.
- Prior experience supporting senior leaders (e.g., Chief of Staff-like responsibilities), or operating in a strategic planning/senior coordination capacity.
- Proven ability to lead external partnership engagements—from scoping to execution—and to align different internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong analytical skills, including commercial opportunity assessments, scenario analysis, and structured problem solving.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English (additional languages are beneficial; ability to synthesize complex topics into executive-ready materials).
- High emotional intelligence, political savvy, discretion, and the ability to build relationships across levels and geographies.
- Comfortable working in ambiguous and fast-evolving environments.
- Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
Preferred
- Experience building governance structures, performance dashboards, and operating rhythms for new teams or functions.
- Demonstrated success launching products or scaling partnerships in frontier or high-growth markets.
- Working knowledge of regulatory and commercial considerations in life sciences/healthcare.
Working Conditions & Other Notes
Flexibility to support meetings across time zones and occasional travel to partner or market sites may be required.
Why Join Us
- High-impact role shaping commercial access and launch strategies at enterprise scale in frontier markets.
- Significant exposure to senior leadership and external partners, with the opportunity to build and operationalize a new, high-performing function.
- Collaborative, mission-driven environment committed to measurable impact.
Apply online using the form below. Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.