VP Head of Commercial & Partner Excellence International

VP, Head of Commercial & Partners Excellence International

Location: Paris or London

Summary & Purpose of the Position

The VP, Head of Commercial & Partners Excellence International is responsible for shaping and driving the commercial and partner strategy, ensuring its full execution across all International markets, and positioning the International organization as a commercial powerhouse. He/She drives a meaningful impact for customers and patients by strengthening overall commercial, partner, launch and trade excellence and maximizing business operations. In collaboration with GPPS and affiliates, he/she contributes to the effective execution of brand plans and improves brand performance through brand excellence, implements metrics, tools and actions to track and enable performance, drives optimization, and implements a launch readiness process. He/She provides additional support, capabilities and guidance to enable International to deliver tangible outcomes for customers and Ipsen associates, and facilitates the exchange of practices and information between global and local teams on commercial, partner, launch and trade excellence initiatives.

Main Responsibilities & Technical Competencies

Customer & Business Excellence

• Drive tracking, analysis, and implementation of performance improvement plans in line with business and brand plans.
• Lead and improve standardized performance‑tracking frameworks and metrics across all affiliates.
• Build critical commercial capabilities across the International organization, including Field Force excellence, brand management, and marketing competencies.
• Strengthen and optimize business operations and customer excellence across International, ensuring alignment with brand strategies and global priorities.
• Lead the deployment of key commercial initiatives in collaboration with Global Commercial, Medical, and Corporate Affairs & Value Access.
• Facilitate effective global‑to‑local and local‑to‑global exchange of insights, best practices, and strategic information.

Partners Excellence

• Define and align the overall partner strategy at regional and global levels, ensuring an optimal network of distributors and partners.
• Drive profitable and sustainable business growth through strong, value‑adding external partnerships.
• Optimize existing partnerships while developing new collaborations, including distribution and promotion agreements.
• Explore new business models (e.g., CSO, co‑promotion) to expand Ipsen’s reach, even in direct‑presence markets.
• Oversee contractual relationships with external partners, setting negotiation standards and promoting best practices across regions.
• Establish the governance framework for partnerships and lead the Partnership Committee to drive consistent business and performance planning.
• Lead the regional community of partner managers, ensuring unified standards and high‑quality execution.
• Ensure excellence in partner management across International by setting and implementing standards (RFP, due diligence, remuneration models, incentive schemes, KPIs, etc.).
• Support the One Ipsen ambition by fostering partner excellence and building the capabilities and behaviors needed for International to become a commercial powerhouse.
• Anticipate and monitor changes in import/export requirements and pharmaceutical regulations impacting partnerships.

Launch Excellence

• Lead flawless, compliant execution of product launches in close partnership with GMs, Regional Heads, and Global Asset Teams and engaging with SBE launch excellence team.
• Collaborate with SBE team to embed end‑to‑end launch excellence in each market, aligning all functions—Commercial, Medical, Access, Public Affairs, and Patient Advocacy.
• Partner with SBE and Medical Launch Excellence teams to deliver fully integrated 360° launch planning and execution.
• Monitor launch performance in close collaboration with SBE, proactively identifying and resolving issues (e.g., segmentation, targeting, mapping) to ensure KPIs and launch objectives are met.
• Ensure clear follow‑up and delivery of all cross‑functional launch action items.
• Continuously benchmark and integrate external best practices to elevate launch excellence across International.

Trade Excellence

• Lead Trade Excellence and guide the team in defining and executing the overarching trade strategy.
• Ensure robust Local Demand Management (LDM) across International, securing continuous and optimal product distribution while strengthening supply‑chain reliability.
• Partner closely with local teams to understand market dynamics, challenge assumptions, and drive consistent LDM practices across geographies.
• Lead the Supply Chain and Finance communities on LDM topics, ensuring alignment with financial objectives and global supply priorities.
• Monitor demand flows, identify risks—including abnormal order patterns and potential parallel trade—and implement corrective actions.

Technical Competencies

Commercial Strategy & Operations

• Expertise in designing and implementing global commercial strategies.
• Strong capability in KPI development, performance tracking, and data‑driven decision‑making.
• Proficiency in CRM systems and account management processes.

Launch & Marketing Excellence

• Advanced knowledge of global‑to‑local launch frameworks and readiness planning.
• Ability to lead brand planning, forecasting, and market segmentation.
• Skilled in patient journey mapping and strategic marketing imperatives.

Partnership Management

• Strong negotiation and contractual management skills for complex partnerships.
• Experience in optimizing partnership structures and implementing incentive models.
• Familiarity with innovative business models.

Compliance & Governance

• Deep understanding of pharmaceutical regulations and trade compliance.
• Ability to implement governance standards and mitigate operational risks.

Data & Digital

• Proficiency in business analytics, competitive intelligence, and forecasting tools.
• Knowledge of digital transformation trends, including AI and automation in commercial models.

Behavioural Competencies Required

Drive Vision and Strategy

• Seeing ahead to future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies.
• Painting a compelling picture of the vision and strategy that motivates others to action.

Business Insights

• Applying knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the organization's goals.
• Making decisions based on data, facts, and figures, and considering different perspectives and the patients' voice.

Global Perspective

• Taking a broad view when approaching issues, using a global lens.
• Seeing the bigger picture, thinking holistically about markets, future trends, and strategy.

Manage Complexity

• Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
• Developing and evaluating alternative scenarios and solutions, focusing on decisions with real impact.

Cultivate Innovation

• Creating new and better ways for the organization to be successful.
• Questioning the status quo, adopting new approaches, and integrating diverse perspectives.

Entrepreneurial

• Identifying opportunities and turning them into value‑creating ventures.
• Demonstrating curiosity, boldness, and tenacity in the face of challenges.

Influences

• Using compelling arguments to gain support and commitment of others.
• Anticipating and balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders, seeking win‑win partnerships.

Collaborates

• Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Removing organizational barriers and focusing on continuous improvement.

Excellence in Execution

• Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
• Achieving results, even under tough circumstances, with clear KPIs and accountability.

Ensures Accountability

• Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments.
• Taking personal accountability for decisions, actions, successes, and failures.

Customer & Patient Focus

• Building strong customer/patient relationships and delivering customer‑centric solutions.
• Integrating the patient voice into everything we do.

Knowledge & Experience (essential)

• Extensive experience in international commercial operations, general management, business development, and partnership management within the pharmaceutical or life sciences sector.
• Proven track record in leading cross‑functional teams and driving commercial excellence initiatives across multiple markets.
• Strong background in launch excellence, market access, and optimizing complex partner networks.
• Experience with digital transformation, data analytics, and innovative business models in a global context.

Education / Certifications (essential)

• Advanced degree in Business Administration, Life Sciences, Pharmacy, or related field.

Education / Certifications (preferred)

• MBA, Executive Education, or relevant professional certifications (e.g., Lean Six Sigma, Project Management, Commercial Excellence programs).

Language(s) (essential)

• Fluent in English (spoken and written).

Language(s) (preferred)

• Proficiency in additional languages relevant to Ipsen’s international markets (e.g., French, Spanish, German, etc.).