SUMMARY OF THE POSITION
Join Us to Make a Real Impact
Ipsen is a dynamic and growing global specialty-driven biopharmaceutical company focused on innovation and specialty care.
We aim to make a sustainable difference by significantly improving patients’ health and quality of life and providing them with effective therapeutic solutions for unmet medical needs through differentiated and innovative medicines in Oncology, Neurosciences and Rare Diseases.
The patient is at the heart of everything we do, and we also care for our employees because they are the ambassadors who truly make the difference. We attract and develop bold, agile, entrepreneurial individuals who take full ownership of their decisions—leaders drawn by a purpose to make a direct impact through their work in people’s lives.
We offer employees a wealth of fulfilling challenges & growth opportunities, and the chance to contribute within a fast-moving organisation—an organisation that is genuinely game-changing.
About the Role
As the Global Marketing & Launch Excellence Director, you will be a strategic partner across our global and affiliate organizations, driving significant impact and spearheading organizational transformation. In this pivotal role, you will champion excellence in launch readiness, brand planning, and marketing capabilities across our three Therapeutic Areas. You will lead the optimization of the Ipsen Way to Launch framework, ensuring our teams are fully equipped for successful product launches. Your leadership will orchestrate the launch readiness process at both global and local levels, tracking progress and monitoring KPIs. Additionally, you will drive the Global & Local Brand Planning process and foster a culture of knowledge sharing across teams. By elevating Marketing excellence, you will develop best-in-class marketing capabilities while managing complex, high-impact projects in a global matrix environment.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
As Global Marketing & Launch Excellence Director, you will act as a strategic partner across Ipsen’s global and affiliate organizations, helping drive excellence in launch readiness, brand planning, and marketing capabilities. This role requires strong leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to manage complex, high-impact projects in a global matrix environment.
1. Launch Excellence
Lead and optimize the Ipsen Way to Launch framework across therapeutic areas
Coordinate launch readiness activities across Global & Local cross-functional Brand Teams, (Marketing, Medical, Market Access, Regulatory, Public Affairs, Supply, etc.).
Organize and facilitate Launch Readiness meetings, ensuring stakeholder accountability and effective tracking of progress and KPIs
Identify risks and implement course corrections where needed, escalating red flags to leadership.
Challenge and advise Asset Leads on strategic planning quality and launch preparedness when needed.
2. Brand Planning & Marketing Excellence
Oversee the Global & Local Brand Planning processes from development to execution, in collaboration with Global & Local cross-functional teams.
Ensure strategic alignment and co-creation of Global Brand Plans with affiliates, supporting dissemination post-GBOC endorsement.
Align GBP timelines and deliverables with cross-functional stakeholders, co-lead strategic touchpoints and activation reviews with top management.
Continuously assess and improve strategic planning processes, templates and expected outcomes ..
Promote knowledge sharing and collaboration between global and local teams.
3. Marketing Capability Building – Ipsen Business Academy
Lead the development and deployment of the Ipsen Business Academy, aimed at building best-in-class marketing capabilities.
Drive the strategic design of training programs (in partnership with external agencies), ensuring operational and strategic marketing excellence.
Present and align the Academy roadmap with senior leadership; and move from pilot to phased global rollout.
Ensure the Academy supports broader organizational transformation in marketing culture, skills, and performance.
KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES & EXPERIENCE
Must-Have Experience:
7–10 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry in marketing / commercial roles.
Proven launch track record with at least 4–5 specialty care product launches, preferably at a global or regional level.
Strong strategic and operational marketing experience.
Experience working in or closely with global teams and affiliates.
Excellent ability to lead cross-functional projects and influence senior stakeholders
Fluent in English, both written and spoken.
Preferred Background:
Experience in marketing capability or brand planning roles is a strong plus.
Familiarity with global brand planning frameworks and operational excellence tools.
Strong leadership, communication, and project management skills.
Education:
University degree required; advanced degree (MBA, MSc, etc.) preferred.
Continued learning and development mindset, with a focus on strategic marketing and leadership growth.
TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES REQUIRED
Fluent in English written and verbal communication
Strategic Marketing principles and frameworks
Leadership / Stakeholder management
Project Management
Ability to influence in a complex multi-matrix environment
