Rare Diseases BUD, South Cone

Be Part of Something Truly Transformative

At AstraZeneca Rare Disease, we are driven by a singular purpose: to transform the lives of people living with rare diseases. Every decision we make starts with patients, their families, and the communities that support them.

This is an opportunity to lead a high-impact business where scientific innovation, patient advocacy, and commercial excellence come together to address some of the world's most complex and underserved medical conditions. Rare diseases affect millions globally, yet many patients continue to face delayed diagnoses, limited treatment options, and significant unmet needs.

As a leader within Rare Disease, you will have the opportunity to shape strategy, influence healthcare systems, build high-performing teams, and help ensure that groundbreaking therapies reach the patients who need them most.

Why Join AstraZeneca Rare Disease?

Make a meaningful difference Lead a business that directly contributes to improving outcomes for patients living with rare diseases and advancing standards of care across the South Cone region.

About the Role

The Rare Diseases BUD is accountable for the overall leadership, strategic direction, and commercial performance of the Rare Disease portfolio across the Southern Cone geography. This individual will lead and develop a high-performing team, ensuring the successful execution of business priorities while fostering a culture of collaboration, compliance, innovation, and patient focus.

The role requires a visionary business leader capable of translating strategy into execution, maximizing portfolio performance, developing organizational capability, and creating sustainable value for patients, healthcare systems, and AstraZeneca.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Business Performance

• Define and lead the Rare Disease business strategy for the Southern Cone region, ensuring alignment with cluster and global objectives.
• Develop, execute, and measure integrated brand and portfolio strategies that deliver short- and long-term business goals.
• Drive sustainable business growth through effective portfolio management, resource allocation, and customer engagement strategies.
• Identify market opportunities, risks, and competitive dynamics to inform strategic decision-making.

Commercial Excellence

• Own sales performance and commercial execution across the Rare Disease portfolio.
• Ensure effective implementation of brand strategies and field force excellence across geography.
• Monitor and optimize key performance indicators, driving accountability and high performance throughout the organization.
• Foster a culture of customer-centricity and continuous improvement.

People Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop the Rare Disease Business Unit team through effective performance management and talent development practices.
• Build organizational capabilities and succession pipelines to ensure long-term business success.
• Create an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performing culture that supports employee growth and engagement.
• Inspire teams through clear vision, purpose-driven leadership, and effective communication.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Build strong partnerships with Medical, Market Access, Regulatory Affairs, Finance, HR, Supply Chain, Compliance, and other key stakeholders.
• Ensure effective cross-functional execution of strategic initiatives and business priorities.
• Represent the Rare Disease Business Unit within leadership forums and strategic decision-making processes.

Financial & Operational Management

• Lead budget planning, resource allocation, and financial management activities.
• Ensure optimal use of resources aligned with strategic priorities and business objectives.
• Monitor investment effectiveness and deliver strong return on investment while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

Compliance, Quality & Governance

• Promote a culture of ethics, compliance, integrity, and accountability across the organization.
• Ensure all activities are conducted in accordance with AstraZeneca policies, industry regulations, and local legal requirements.
• Ensure compliance with all processes under Rare Disease Business Unit responsibility, including medical samples management procedures where applicable.
• Ensure adherence to Quality Management System (QMS) standards and continuous improvement practices.
• Ensure quality events and product complaints are reported and managed in accordance with company procedures and local requirements.

Patient-Centric Leadership

• Champion a patient-first mindset across all business activities.
• Identify opportunities to enhance customer experience and improve patient outcomes.
• Collaborate with external stakeholders, healthcare professionals, and advocacy communities to support the rare disease ecosystem.

Essential Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Medicine, Marketing, or a related field.
• Significant leadership experience within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, specialty care, or rare disease sector.
• Experience within Rare Disease, Specialty Care, Immunology, Oncology, Respiratory, or other highly specialized therapeutic areas.
• Proven success leading commercial organizations and delivering business results in complex healthcare environments.
• Strong strategic thinking, business planning, and execution capabilities.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Deep understanding of the pharmaceutical market, healthcare systems, and market access environment within Southern Cone countries.
• Strong financial acumen and budget management experience.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and people leadership skills.
• High level of integrity and commitment to compliance and ethical standards.
• Fluent Spanish and advanced English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading regional or multi-country organizations.
• MBA or advanced degree.
• Track record of successfully launching innovative therapies and driving market access initiatives.
• Experience engaging with patient advocacy groups and healthcare policy stakeholders.

What AstraZeneca Offers

At AstraZeneca, we believe our people are our greatest strength. We foster an environment where innovation thrives, diverse perspectives are valued, and employees can do their best work while making a meaningful impact on patients' lives.

Join us in redefining what is possible for people living with rare diseases and help shape the future of healthcare.

Are you ready to lead with purpose and transform lives? Apply today.

Date Posted

Closing Date

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity.  We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills.  We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.  We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics.  We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.