📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Director, Global Brand Strategy (Global Commercial Lead)
🔹 Company: Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical
🔹 Location: Novato, California, United States
🔹 Job Type: Hybrid (Flex - 2-3 days onsite per week)
🔹 Category: Biotechnology Research
🔹 Date Posted: May 30, 2025
🚀 Job Overview
🚀 Key Aspects:
1. Lead commercial initiatives for pipeline programs
2. Collaborate with global and regional stakeholders
3. Develop and implement global commercialization strategies
4. Manage brand identity and annual brand planning process
5. Work in a fast-paced, challenging, and dynamic commercial environment
🚀 Assumptions:
- This role requires strong collaboration, strategic thinking, and adaptability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
- Successful candidates will have a proven track record in commercial strategy, market research, and brand management.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Responsibilities:
1. Collaborate closely with global and regional stakeholders on commercialization launch preparations for assigned program(s)
2. Identify and execute on insights/market research needs to inform effective decisions
3. Proactively monitor the competitive market landscape
4. Deliver impactful brand and/or market development strategies
5. Drive commercial leadership on cross-functional launch teams
6. Ensure commercial considerations are included in program core team decisions
7. Oversee all aspects of global brand development and ongoing management of global brand identity for commercialized assets
8. Lead the annual brand and tactical planning process for the assigned program(s)
9. Lead projects on specific program(s) as appropriate/required by the group
🚀 Assumptions:
- This role requires strong analytical and communication skills, as well as the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
🎯 Required Qualifications
🎯 Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in business and/or science; advanced degree preferred (e.g., MBA, MS, Ph.D.)
🎯 Experience:
- 8+ years of bio/pharmaceutical commercial experience
🎯 Required Skills:
1. Proven ability to work in a multidisciplinary team with a high degree of collaboration
2. Strong patient focus
3. Demonstrated ability to think strategically and act creatively to develop and align teams to brand strategy
4. Proven experience working with and managing external partners
5. Excellent analytical skills with respect to identifying market trends, market sizing, competitive landscape, and ability to link implications to business strategy
6. Comfortable with change and ambiguity, and able to be strategic as well as tactical
🎯 Preferred Qualifications:
- Prior region and/or global marketing or commercial strategy experience
- Prior management consulting experience
- Rare disease commercial experience
🚀 Assumptions:
- Successful candidates will have a strong background in commercial strategy, market research, and brand management, with a focus on rare diseases.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
💰 Salary Range:
- $235,900 - $291,400 USD per year
💰 Benefits:
1. Generous vacation time and public holidays observed by the company
2. Volunteer days
3. Long term incentive and Employee stock purchase plans or equivalent offerings
4. Employee wellbeing benefits
5. Fitness reimbursement
6. Tuition sponsoring
7. Professional development plans
🚀 Assumptions:
- The salary range is based on the office location and applicant’s geographic location. Actual individual pay is determined by demonstrated experience and internal equity alignment.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
🔍 Industry: Biotechnology Research
🔍 Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees
🔍 Founded: 2010
🔍 Company Description: Ultragenyx is dedicated to advancing innovative medicines for rare and ultrarare diseases, with a focus on debilitating genetic diseases. They have a diverse portfolio of approved therapies and products, and a robust clinical pipeline.
🔍 Company Specialties: rare disease and ultra-rare disease
🔍 Company Website:
Ultragenyx
🚀 Assumptions:
- Ultragenyx's focus on rare and ultrarare diseases requires a strong commitment to patient care and a deep understanding of these conditions.
📊 Role Analysis
📊 Career Level: Senior-level role with significant strategic and leadership responsibilities
📊 Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Senior Vice President, Global Commercial Strategy
📊 Work Arrangement: Hybrid (Flex - 2-3 days onsite per week, with the potential for more depending on business needs)
📊 Growth Opportunities: As Ultragenyx continues to grow and expand its portfolio, there are opportunities for career progression within the global brand strategy team and across the organization
🚀 Assumptions:
- This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to take on additional responsibilities and advance their career within the organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
🌍 Office Type: Hybrid (Flex - 2-3 days onsite per week)
🌍 Office Location(s): Novato, California, United States
🌍 Geographic Context: Novato is located in Marin County, California, approximately 30 miles north of San Francisco. It offers a mix of urban and rural living, with easy access to outdoor activities and a strong sense of community.
🚀 Assumptions:
- The hybrid work arrangement allows for flexibility and a better work-life balance, while still fostering a collaborative work environment.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
💼 Typical Process:
1. Online application submission
2. Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
3. Onsite or virtual interview with the hiring team
4. Final interview with the Senior Vice President, Global Commercial Strategy
💼 Key Assessment Areas:
1. Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
2. Ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional team
3. Understanding of the rare disease landscape and Ultragenyx's mission
4. Cultural fit and alignment with Ultragenyx's values
💼 Application Tips:
1. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
2. Research Ultragenyx's mission, values, and recent news to demonstrate your understanding of the organization
3. Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills, collaboration, and adaptability
💼 ATS Keywords: Global Brand Strategy, Commercial Strategy, Market Research, Rare Disease, Biotechnology, Pipeline Programs, Cross-functional Teams, Stakeholder Management, Strategic Thinking, Brand Management
🚀 Assumptions:
- The interview process is designed to assess the candidate's strategic thinking, collaboration, and cultural fit for the role and Ultragenyx.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
🛠️ Tools/Technologies:
1. PowerPoint
2. Excel
3. SharePoint
4. Market research tools and software
5. Project management tools (e.g., Asana, JIRA, Trello)
🚀 Assumptions:
- Proficiency in PowerPoint, Excel, and SharePoint is required for this role. Familiarity with market research tools and project management software is also beneficial.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
👔 Company Values:
1. Patient-centricity: Putting patients first in all decisions
2. Courage: Taking bold action to drive meaningful impact
3. Collaboration: Working together to achieve more
4. Inclusion: Embracing diversity and fostering an inclusive environment
5. Integrity: Acting with honesty and transparency
👔 Work Style:
- Strategic and tactical, with a focus on both long-term planning and day-to-day execution
- Comfortable with change and ambiguity in a fast-paced environment
- Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence and persuade stakeholders
👔 Self-Assessment Questions:
1. How do you approach working with cross-functional teams to achieve common goals?
2. Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt to significant change or ambiguity in a project or role?
3. How do you ensure that your work aligns with the company's values and mission, even when faced with competing priorities?
🚀 Assumptions:
- Candidates should be able to demonstrate a strong alignment with Ultragenyx's values and a willingness to embrace the company's work style.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
⚠️ Challenges:
1. Managing multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
2. Collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders
3. Navigating a complex and evolving rare disease landscape
4. Balancing short-term tactical needs with long-term strategic planning
🚀 Assumptions:
- These challenges require strong organizational skills, adaptability, and a strategic mindset to overcome.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
📈 Comparison Points:
1. Global Brand Manager (Pharmaceuticals): This role focuses more on managing established brands within a pharmaceutical company, while the Director, Global Brand Strategy role at Ultragenyx involves leading commercial initiatives for pipeline programs.
2. Market Research Manager: This role is more focused on conducting and analyzing market research, whereas the Ultragenyx role requires a broader skill set, including strategic planning, stakeholder management, and brand management.
3. Commercial Strategy Manager (Biotechnology): This role may involve similar strategic planning and stakeholder management responsibilities, but the Ultragenyx role is specific to rare and ultrarare diseases and requires a deep understanding of this unique therapeutic area.
🚀 Assumptions:
- These roles share some similarities, but the Ultragenyx role is distinct due to its focus on rare and ultrarare diseases and the need to manage pipeline programs.
📝 Sample Projects
📝 Project Examples:
1. Developing a global brand strategy for an upcoming rare disease therapy, including market research, competitive landscape analysis, and stakeholder engagement
2. Managing the annual brand planning process for an established rare disease therapy, including budgeting, resource allocation, and tactical planning
3. Leading a cross-functional team to develop and execute a launch strategy for a new rare disease therapy, including market access planning, pricing strategy, and promotional tactics
🚀 Assumptions:
- These projects require strong strategic thinking, collaboration, and project management skills to successfully execute.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
❓ Interview Questions:
1. Can you describe a time when you had to develop and implement a global brand strategy for a new product or therapy?
2. How do you approach working with cross-functional teams to ensure that all stakeholders' needs are considered and addressed in the brand strategy?
3. Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt your brand strategy due to changes in the market landscape or competitive dynamics?
4. How do you ensure that your brand strategy aligns with the company's overall mission and values?
5. Can you describe a time when you had to manage a complex brand planning process, including budgeting, resource allocation, and stakeholder engagement?
🚀 Assumptions:
- These questions are designed to assess the candidate's strategic thinking, collaboration, and adaptability in a brand management context.
📝 Next Steps for Applicants
📝 To apply for this position:
1. Submit your application through this link:
[Application Link]
2. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
3. Prepare for phone or video screen with the hiring manager, focusing on your strategic thinking, collaboration, and adaptability
4. Research Ultragenyx's mission, values, and recent news to demonstrate your understanding of the organization
5. Prepare for onsite or virtual interview with the hiring team, focusing on your problem-solving skills, cultural fit, and alignment with Ultragenyx's values
6. Follow up with the hiring team after your interview, expressing your interest in the role and asking any remaining questions
🚀 Disclaimer:
- This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
