Marketing Strategy Lead Rare Disease

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Marketing Strategy Lead Rare Disease

🔹 Company: UCB

🔹 Location: Shanghai, Shanghai, China

🔹 Job Type: On-site

🔹 Category: Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-03

🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Developing winning Rare disease portfolio strategies and market launch plans
• Establishing sound brand strategies and customer engagement plans
• Building and maintaining long-term partnerships with Key opinion leaders
• Responsibility for rare disease portfolio business planning and long-range plan development

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset with a strong focus on portfolio management and brand building within the rare disease space.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Develop a winning Rare disease portfolio strategy and set the conditions for a successful market launch

✅ Establish sound brand strategy and initiatives with external lenses and customer-centric approach, design multichannel customer engagement plans to drive commercial excellence

✅ Build and maintain long-term partnership with Key opinion leaders, collaborate with cross-functional teams in execution excellence, innovative initiatives, expand access to deliver business target

✅ Responsible for rare disease portfolio business planning, long range plan development, bridge with global commercial organizations

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of cross-functional collaboration and requires strong project management skills to align teams around common goals.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Not specified

Experience: 8-10 years+ pharma marketing/medical experience, brand ownership a plus

Required Skills:

• Solid analytical skills and ability to transfer insights to effective commercial portfolio strategies
• Experience in marketing campaign (multi-channel) design, execution, strong KOL engagement
• Creative thinker, willing to challenge the status quo; pro-active, propose new ideas and initiatives
• Cross functional communication and project management skills (align people around one goal; track progress, review and give constructive feedback for better outcome)
• Adaptability, resilience

Preferred Skills:

• Fluent English/Mandarin and strong presentation skills

ASSUMPTION: Given the strategic nature of this role, candidates should possess a strong analytical mindset and proven experience in brand management within the pharmaceutical industry.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Industry standard for a senior marketing role in Shanghai, China: ¥500,000 - ¥800,000 per year

Benefits:

• Not specified; typical benefits for a role of this level may include health insurance, retirement plans, and performance-based bonuses

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)

ASSUMPTION: Salary range is estimated based on industry standards for similar roles in Shanghai, China. Actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's experience and negotiation.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

Company Size: 5,001-10,000 employees

Founded: 1928

Company Description:

• UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company, focusing on neurology and immunology
• UCB aims to transform patients' lives by pushing the boundaries of what is possible in severe disease treatment
• UCB values innovation, collaboration, and a human-centric approach to healthcare

Company Specialties:

• Neurology
• Immunology
• Healthcare Innovation Beyond Medicine

Company Website: http://www.ucb.com

ASSUMPTION: UCB is a well-established pharmaceutical company with a strong focus on innovation and patient-centric care. This role offers an opportunity to work in a global environment with a clear mission to improve the lives of patients with severe diseases.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Senior Marketing Role

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Global Marketing Lead for Rare Diseases

Work Arrangement: On-site, based in Shanghai, China

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to work on multiple brands and portfolios within the rare disease space
• Opportunities to collaborate with global teams and gain international experience
• Potential to progress into a more senior leadership role within the company

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a high degree of responsibility and autonomy, with opportunities for growth and development within the company.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Corporate office

Office Location(s): RafflesCity office in Shanghai, China

Geographic Context:

• Shanghai is a major commercial hub and financial center in China
• The city offers a vibrant cultural scene, diverse dining options, and numerous entertainment venues
• Shanghai has a humid subtropical monsoon climate, with mild winters and hot, humid summers

Work Schedule: Standard office hours, with potential for flexibility based on team needs and project deadlines

ASSUMPTION: This role is based in a dynamic and multicultural city, offering a mix of traditional Chinese culture and modern urban living.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and resume screening
• Phone or video call with the hiring manager
• On-site or virtual interview with a panel of interviewers
• Final round interview with the Global Marketing Lead for Rare Diseases

Key Assessment Areas:

• Strategic thinking and portfolio management skills
• Brand management and customer engagement strategies
• Cross-functional collaboration and project management skills
• Adaptability, resilience, and cultural fit

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare examples of your past achievements in brand management, portfolio strategy, and KOL engagement
• Demonstrate your understanding of the rare disease market and UCB's mission and values

ATS Keywords: Pharma marketing, brand ownership, analytical skills, marketing campaign design, KOL engagement, creative thinking, project management, adaptability, resilience, fluent English, fluent Mandarin, presentation skills

ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is likely to be competitive, and candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their strategic thinking, brand management skills, and cultural fit with UCB's mission and values.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, Veeva)
• Marketing automation tools (e.g., Marketo, HubSpot)

ASSUMPTION: This role requires proficiency in standard office software and marketing automation tools, as well as the ability to learn and adapt to new technologies as needed.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Inspired by patients
• Driven by science
• Collaborative and innovative

Work Style:

• Strategic and forward-thinking
• Cross-functional and collaborative
• Adaptable and resilient

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How have you demonstrated your ability to develop winning portfolio strategies in the past?
• Can you provide an example of a successful brand engagement campaign you've led?
• How do you approach building and maintaining long-term partnerships with Key opinion leaders?

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their alignment with UCB's values and work style, as well as their ability to thrive in a collaborative and innovative work environment.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple brands and portfolios within the rare disease space
• Balancing global and local market needs and priorities
• Adapting to a dynamic and evolving market landscape
• Working in a fast-paced and high-pressure environment

ASSUMPTION: This role presents both strategic and tactical challenges, requiring candidates to be adaptable, resilient, and able to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is more focused on portfolio strategy and brand management within the rare disease space, compared to broader marketing roles
• UCB's focus on neurology and immunology sets it apart from other pharmaceutical companies with a broader therapeutic focus
• This role offers opportunities for international collaboration and growth within a global organization

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should consider the unique aspects of this role and UCB's focus on rare diseases and patient-centric care when comparing it to other marketing roles in the pharmaceutical industry.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing a comprehensive portfolio strategy for a newly acquired rare disease asset
• Launching a multi-channel brand engagement campaign for an established rare disease product
• Expanding access to a rare disease therapy through innovative partnerships and collaborations

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic and tactical nature of this role, requiring candidates to balance long-term portfolio management with day-to-day brand management and customer engagement.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the current portfolio landscape for rare diseases at UCB and the key priorities for this role?
• How does this role collaborate with global teams, and what opportunities are there for international travel and exposure?
• What are the key challenges facing the rare disease market, and how does UCB differentiate itself from competitors?
• How does UCB support the professional development and growth of its employees in this role?
• What is the work-life balance like for someone in this role, and how does UCB support work-life balance for its employees?

ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to help candidates better understand the role's responsibilities, the company's culture, and the opportunities for growth and development.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare examples of your past achievements in brand management, portfolio strategy, and KOL engagement
• Demonstrate your understanding of the rare disease market and UCB's mission and values
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.