Business Unit Head

Business Unit Head

Full-Time 80000 - 100000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the Neuroscience Business Unit, driving strategy and commercial excellence.
  • Company: Ipsen Ltd, a global biopharmaceutical company focused on transformative medicines.
  • Benefits: Inclusive culture, career development, and a chance to make a real impact.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of healthcare while leading high-performing teams.
  • Qualifications: 10+ years in pharma, strong leadership, and strategic skills required.
  • Other info: Join a diverse team committed to innovation and patient-centric solutions.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 ÂŁ per year.

About Ipsen: Ipsen is a mid-sized global biopharmaceutical company with a focus on transformative medicines in three therapeutic areas: Oncology, Rare Disease and Neuroscience. Supported by nearly 100 years of development experience, with global hubs in the U.S., France and the U.K, we tackle areas of high unmet medical need through research and innovation. Our passionate teams in more than 40 countries are focused on what matters and endeavour every day to bring medicines to patients in 88 countries. We build a workplace that champions human‑centric leadership and fosters a culture of collaboration, excellence and impact. At Ipsen, every individual is empowered to be their true selves, grow and thrive alongside the company’s success. Join us on our journey towards sustainable growth, creating real impact on patients and society!

Role Overview: The Business Unit Head, Neuroscience UK is responsible for defining and delivering the commercial strategy for Ipsen’s Neuroscience portfolio across the UK. This pivotal leadership role will drive revenue, profitability, market share growth and long‑term business impact, while ensuring Ipsen’s purpose and patient‑centred priorities are fully embedded in how the business operates. The BUH will lead high‑performing sales and marketing teams, shape Ipsen’s external value proposition, and work horizontally across all functions as a core member of the UK&I Leadership Team.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Lead the vision, strategy, and execution plan for the Neuroscience Business Unit, setting ambitious and sustainable growth objectives.
  • Drive commercial excellence by shaping Ipsen’s value proposition for customers, using insights to benchmark competitive performance and identify opportunities.
  • Build, develop, and inspire high‑performing Sales and Marketing teams (approx. 3-5 direct reports), ensuring coaching, capability development and adoption of a biotech mindset.
  • Ensure cross‑functional alignment across Medical, Market Access, Corporate Affairs, Finance and other key stakeholders, enabling integrated execution and shared accountability.
  • Champion innovation and transformation, leveraging data, analytics and external trends to optimise commercial levers, patient impact and organisational agility.
  • Identify future market drivers and early business trends, making informed and proactive recommendations to mitigate risk and accelerate performance.
  • Uphold Ipsen’s ethical standards, compliance requirements and patient‑centred approach in all decision‑making and commercial activities.

Candidate Profile:

  • Life sciences degree or equivalent.
  • Minimum 10 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry with at least 5 years in senior commercial leadership roles.
  • Strong knowledge of the UK healthcare environment landscape and pharmaceutical commercial models.
  • Proven track record in developing strategy, leading teams and delivering strong P&L or product performance.
  • Advanced competence in Marketing & Sales and Market Access, with strong financial acumen.
  • Inclusive, collaborative leader with excellent communication and influencing skills; able to navigate a complex matrix and drive horizontal leadership.
  • Agile, insights‑driven, accountable and comfortable leading transformation and change.
  • Committed to developing talent, with a strong coaching mindset.

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels heard, valued, and supported; where we embrace “The Real Us”. The value we place on different perspectives and experiences drives our commitment to inclusion and equal opportunities. When we include diverse ways of thinking, we make more thoughtful decisions and discover more innovative solutions. Together we strive to better understand the communities we serve. This means we also want to help you perform at your best when applying for a role with us. If you require any adjustments or support during the application process, please let the recruitment team know. This information will be handled with care and will not affect the outcome of your application.

Business Unit Head employer: Ipsen Pharma (SAS)

Ipsen Ltd is an exceptional employer that champions human-centric leadership and fosters a collaborative culture, making it an ideal place for professionals seeking to make a meaningful impact in the biopharmaceutical industry. With a commitment to employee growth and development, Ipsen empowers its teams to thrive while driving innovation in transformative medicines across the UK. The company values diverse perspectives and experiences, ensuring that every individual feels valued and supported in their journey towards sustainable growth and excellence.
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Contact Detail:

Ipsen Pharma (SAS) Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Business Unit Head

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those at Ipsen. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by knowing your stuff! Research Ipsen’s Neuroscience portfolio and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! You need to communicate your vision and strategy clearly. Think about how you would lead the Neuroscience Business Unit and be ready to share your ideas.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Ipsen team.

We think you need these skills to ace Business Unit Head

Commercial Strategy Development
Sales Leadership
Marketing Excellence
Financial Acumen
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Data Analytics
Market Access Knowledge
Team Development and Coaching
Communication Skills
Influencing Skills
Agility in Transformation
Understanding of UK Healthcare Environment
P&L Management
Ethical Standards Compliance

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Business Unit Head role. Highlight your experience in leading teams and driving commercial strategies, especially in the pharmaceutical industry. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission at Ipsen!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about neuroscience and how you can contribute to our patient-centred approach. Be genuine and let your personality come through – we love to see the real you!

Showcase Your Leadership Skills: In your application, emphasise your leadership experience and how you've inspired high-performing teams in the past. We’re looking for someone who can drive collaboration and innovation, so share specific examples of your successes!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details about the role and our company culture there!

How to prepare for a job interview at Ipsen Pharma (SAS)

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you thoroughly understand Ipsen's Neuroscience portfolio and the current trends in the UK healthcare landscape. Familiarise yourself with their products, recent news, and how they position themselves against competitors. This will show your genuine interest and help you answer questions confidently.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Style

As a Business Unit Head, you'll need to demonstrate your leadership capabilities. Prepare examples of how you've built and inspired high-performing teams in the past. Highlight your coaching mindset and how you've developed talent within your teams, as this aligns with Ipsen's values.

✨Align with Their Values

Ipsen places a strong emphasis on patient-centric priorities and ethical standards. Be ready to discuss how you’ve upheld these principles in your previous roles. Share specific instances where you made decisions that prioritised patient impact and compliance.

✨Prepare for Cross-Functional Collaboration

Since the role requires working across various functions, think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with different departments. Discuss how you ensured alignment and shared accountability in your previous projects, as this will resonate well with Ipsen's collaborative culture.

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