Business Unit Head

Business Unit Head

Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Ipsen

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the Neuroscience Business Unit, driving strategy and commercial excellence.
  • Company: Ipsen, a leading pharmaceutical company focused on patient-centred priorities.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership opportunities, and a chance to make a real impact.
  • Other info: Join a collaborative culture that values innovation and talent development.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of healthcare while leading high-performing teams in a dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: Life sciences degree and 10+ years in the pharmaceutical industry required.

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

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‑centric 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.

Business Unit Head employer: Ipsen

Ipsen is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and development, particularly in the dynamic field of neuroscience. With a strong commitment to innovation and a patient-centred approach, employees are empowered to lead high-performing teams and drive meaningful change within the healthcare landscape. The collaborative work culture fosters inclusivity and encourages professional advancement, making Ipsen a rewarding place to build a career in the UK.

Ipsen

Contact Details:

Ipsen Recruitment 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 industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend relevant events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that Business Unit Head role.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for those interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand Ipsen’s Neuroscience portfolio and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. We want you to shine!

Tip Number 3

Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to share examples of how you've built and inspired high-performing teams in the past. We love hearing about your coaching mindset and how you’ve driven transformation.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. We’re here to support you every step of the way in landing that dream job.

We think you need these skills to ace Business Unit Head

Commercial Strategy Development
Sales Leadership
Marketing Expertise
Market Access Knowledge
Financial Acumen
Team Development and Coaching
Cross-Functional Collaboration

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that align with the Business Unit Head role. Highlight your leadership experience in the pharmaceutical industry and any relevant achievements that showcase your ability to drive revenue and market share growth.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about the neuroscience field and how your background makes you the perfect fit for Ipsen. Be sure to mention your understanding of the UK healthcare landscape and your approach to leading high-performing teams.

Showcase Your Leadership Style:In your application, give us a glimpse into your leadership style. We want to know how you inspire and develop teams, as well as how you ensure cross-functional alignment. Share examples of how you've championed innovation and transformation in previous roles.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Ipsen!

How to prepare for a job interview at Ipsen

Know Your Stuff

Make sure you’re well-versed in Ipsen’s Neuroscience portfolio and the UK healthcare landscape. Brush up on recent trends, challenges, and opportunities in the industry. This will not only show your passion but also demonstrate that you can hit the ground running.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Think about specific instances where you inspired high performance or drove change. Be ready to discuss your coaching mindset and how you develop talent within your teams.

Align with Their Values

Ipsen places a strong emphasis on patient-centred priorities and ethical standards. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve upheld similar values in your previous roles. Share stories that highlight your commitment to compliance and patient impact.

Think Commercially

Demonstrate your financial acumen by discussing how you’ve driven revenue and profitability in past roles. Bring insights into how you’ve shaped value propositions and benchmarked competitive performance. This will show that you understand the commercial landscape and can contribute to Ipsen’s growth objectives.