Leading the commercial development and profitable management of the GI Cancer therapeutic area is the core of this leadership role, with full accountability for commercialisation and driving performance to achieve revenue and financial targets. The Head of Franchise, Sales & Marketing will mentor, encourage, and develop the Commercial team to innovate and compete effectively in-market. This role reports to the Head of Oncology for the UK and is a key leader in the Oncology Business Unit.
Responsibilities
Accountable for all aspects of commercial activities, including data-driven marketing strategy/execution and field team activities that meet brand objectives and improve the patient experience
Ensure local market launch readiness for new products and indications within the therapeutic area, including focusing the organisation on launch execution and delivery
Champion the evolution of omni-channel and digital strategies and execution in collaboration with cross-functional partners (IBEX, Data Analytics, IT)
Lead and deliver brand and franchise strategies, delivering industry-leading plans that are based on robust insights and innovative approaches
Use strong critical thinking to assess a range of variables including market trends and opportunities, competition, and research progress to craft compelling near- and long-term commercial strategies
Adapt and deliver in an ecosystem where the rapid pace of science, data readouts and regulatory approvals is commonplace and complex healthcare delivery and evolving drug and diagnostic testing payment models exist
Full P&L responsibility for the brand/therapeutic area, ensuring key financial and brand metrics are met
Use local insights to inform the indication/brand forecasts as part of the annual and mid-term planning cycles and adjusting Latest View
Lead a team of commercial leaders and other team members, ensuring a focus on performance and personal development that is aligned to innovative commercialisation, including the capabilities to support the evolution in the go-to-market strategy
Act as career mentor for key talent within the respective business area, building, inspiring, and retaining a successful team
Develop and model cross-functional leadership and ensure alignment of the organisation with other cross-functional teams (ex. Medical, Market Access & Diagnostics) to build a focused, ambitious, and collaborative business
Act as a strategic and experienced business leader who is an active member of the Oncology Leadership Team (OLT), contributing to key initiatives and above-brand projects within the local market
Understand cross-brand and therapeutic area dynamics that impact the commercialisation of the AZ Oncology pipeline and proactively work with peers to leverage synergies
Requirements
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Bachelor's degree in business or life sciences
Broad commercial experience in Oncology (or other relevant affiliated experience) with significant demonstrated success across various stages of the brand lifecycle, including pre-launch planning, launch execution, HTA validation, and long-term business planning
Solid grasp of ongoing paradigm changes and future trends in healthcare commercialisation
P&L management experience and ability to build a financial narrative
Demonstrated expertise in strategy development and tactical implementation
Strong understanding of healthcare systems within the United Kingdom, including NHS structures and clinical pathways
Proven experience leading and developing high-performing teams with second-line leadership (strongly preferred) with good examples of cross-functional effectiveness and impact
Consistent track record of successful external engagements and capacity to build and influence external environment
Strong communication skills and positive interpersonal skills with capacity to encourage, mentor, and develop others
Nice to have:
MBA / Ph.D.
Experience across multiple oncology tumour areas and/or rare diseases
Experience in regional or global commercial roles
Experience working within alliance or partnership models
Demonstrated change leadership in complex organisations
Good knowledge of UK governance, compliance and ABPI Code requirements
Important Details
Advert Closing Date: 29 October 2026
Closing Date: 29 October 2026
About the Company
AstraZeneca is dedicated to being a Great Place to Work, empowering employees to push the boundaries of science and unleash their entrepreneurial spirit to make a difference to medicine, patients, and society. The OBU UK is a key contributor to the continued and future growth of the Oncology business, seeking dedicated commercial leadership for its franchises to maximise the potential of its leading Oncology portfolio and deliver commercial excellence. The company's ambition is to eliminate cancer as a cause of death through scientific discovery and collaborations. AstraZeneca UK is committed to accelerating the UK's position as a global centre of excellence in life sciences, redefining healthcare through fast and equitable access to effective medicines and high-quality care, and delivering balanced leadership that prioritises healthy people, society, and the planet. Its head office in Pancras Square offers a platform to transform the lives of patients as the country’s leading biopharmaceutical company, bringing AstraZeneca UK closer to customers, partners, and collaborators in the UK’s healthcare environment, and developing greater collaboration with the wider AstraZeneca footprint.
