Head of Rare Diseases

2 days ago

Greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Barrington James Full time $120,000 - $250,000 per year

Job Title:
Head of Rare Diseases, Asia Pacific (APAC)

Location:
Flexible within APAC (e.g., Singapore, Tokyo, Sydney)

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and visionary
Head of Rare Diseases, APAC
to lead regional strategy, operations, and growth initiatives across our rare diseases portfolio. This leadership role is pivotal in advancing patient access, driving commercial excellence, and shaping the future of rare disease care across Asia Pacific.

Reporting to the
Global Head of Rare Diseases
, the successful candidate will collaborate closely with global, regional, and local cross-functional teams to define and execute business strategies tailored to diverse market environments. This role is part of the
APAC Specialty Care Leadership Team
and requires both strategic depth and operational agility.

Key Responsibilities

  • Strategic Leadership & Business Ownership
  • Define and implement the regional business strategy for the rare diseases portfolio, aligned with global priorities while adapting to the specific needs of APAC markets.
  • Drive overall business performance and P&L accountability, ensuring sustainable growth and value creation.
  • Market Development & Access
  • Identify and develop opportunities to expand market presence and improve patient access through partnerships with healthcare systems, advocacy groups, and policymakers.
  • Guide regional market access and pricing strategies to optimize reimbursement outcomes across diverse healthcare landscapes.
  • Launch Excellence & Lifecycle Management
  • Oversee launch readiness and execution for new products, ensuring operational excellence across key markets.
  • Lead portfolio lifecycle management to strengthen performance and maximize long-term potential.
  • Cross-functional & Cross-market Collaboration
  • Partner effectively with global and local teams across Commercial, Medical Affairs, Regulatory, Market Access, and Supply Chain functions.
  • Ensure strong alignment and communication across affiliates to deliver consistent strategy execution.
  • Stakeholder Engagement
  • Build trusted relationships with key opinion leaders, external experts, patient organizations, and strategic partners.
  • Represent the company at regional and international forums to elevate the organization's leadership in rare diseases.
  • People & Culture Leadership
  • Build, mentor, and empower a high-performing regional team. Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and patient-centric culture focused on excellence and innovation.

About You

Education & Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Medicine, Pharmacy, or related discipline.
  • Advanced degree (MBA, MSc, PhD) preferred.

Experience & Expertise

  • Minimum 12–15 years of progressive experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
  • Proven track record in regional leadership roles across APAC, ideally within specialty care or complex therapy areas.
  • Demonstrated experience in P&L management, business planning, and cross-functional leadership.
  • Successful experience leading launches and market development initiatives across multiple countries.
  • Deep understanding of APAC healthcare systems, market access dynamics, and regulatory environments.
  • Experience working in a global–regional–local matrix organization.

Skills & Attributes

  • Strategic thinker with strong analytical and decision-making capabilities.
  • Excellent leadership, communication, and influencing skills across cultures.
  • Collaborative mindset with the ability to align stakeholders and drive execution.
  • Passion for innovation, patient impact, and long-term value creation.
  • Willingness to travel regionally and internationally (approx. 25%).

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