Commercial Director , Surgical Device

About Astellas:

At Astellas we are a progressive health partner, delivering value and outcomes where needed. We pursue innovative science, focussing initially on the areas of greatest potential and then developing solutions where patient need is high, often in rare or under-served areas and in life-threatening or life-limiting diseases and conditions.

We work directly with patients, doctors, surgeons and health care professionals on the front line to ensure patient and clinical needs are guiding our development activities at every stage.

We work closely with regulatory authorities and payers to find new ways to ensure access to new therapies and technology. We deliver the latest insights and real-world evidence to inform the best decisions for patients and their care givers, to ensure the medicines and solutions we develop continue to provide meaningful outcomes.

Beyond medicines, we support our stakeholder communities to drive initiatives that improve awareness, education, access and ultimately standards of care.

About This Job:

This is a great new opportunity for you to become part of our Rx+® business, supporting the whole patient journey beyond drug development (overall medical care, including diagnostic, preventive, therapeutic and prognostic care).

As the Commercial Director UK & Europe, you will have responsibility for our Image Guided Precision Surgery product. Joining this small, new team will give you the perfect opportunity to utilise your solid commercial background in launching medical devices (preferably surgical devices), helping to shape and grow this business. 

You will have responsibility for developing and leading the UK/European team to build, shape and implement commercial strategy, driving continuous growth for the Image Guided Precision Surgery Program. You should be comfortable in a tactical role to start, growing strategically as the product gets closer to launch and ‘Go to market’ strategy.

Read more about Rx+ at Astellas here  https://www.astellas.com/en/innovation/rx-plus

Key activities are noted below:

• Establish and lead a team in targeted markets and determine go to market strategy/ launch phasing in collaboration with Global Brand Lead & Regional Business Development (BD) Lead
• Partner with Regional BD Lead to establish, manage, and negotiate terms for the co-promotion agreements with external partners, including the ongoing relationship
• Develop short term (annual) budget and long-range forecasts of in market sales
• Collaborate with internal functions to support sales operating mechanisms including contract negotiation, market access and medical support 
• Conduct market research with HCPs and/or other stakeholders to capture user insights, competitive intelligence and go to market strategies
• Implement the global brand strategy for the product and Launch Plan in collaboration with cross functional teams. Participate in Global Commercial Brand Team to share best practice, ensure launch readiness & program reviews
• Translate global brand strategy into regional tactics and resource planning including core campaigns, marketing collaterals & tools as well as HCP programs. Co-develop internal/ external stakeholder communication and engagement strategy

Essential Knowledge & Experience:

• Strong sales, marketing, and medical device experience from within the Healthcare market
• Knowledge and commercial experience from the UK/Major EU markets with a track record of Launch excellence and go to market success
• Evidence of managing and negotiating partner agreements, working with Business development
• Able to work with ambiguity in a compliant manner in a changing environment with an understanding of regulatory requirements surrounding Medical Devices
• Proven ability to influence, (appropriately) challenge and engage diverse senior stakeholders
• Experience of market research and budgeting/forecasting 
• Fluent in written and verbal business English (additional Western European language skills useful but not essential)

Education/Qualifications:

• Bachelors or equivalent professional qualification and/or proven expertise.

Additional information:

• This is a full time, permanent position with a UK location and we provide a hybrid working environment