ultrainnovative – Tackle rare and dynamic challenges
The Associate Director, Business Operations Northern Cluster will be responsible for driving the efficient execution of business operations, ensuring alignment between commercial, medical and other operational functions. The individual will work closely with the VP GM to define strategic priorities, improve processes and oversee day-to-day business activities in a fast paced, dynamic biotech organization that covers the following cluster of countries: UK, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland. This person should have experience with sales & marketing, financial, supply chain and operational processes. In addition, the ideal candidate should have experience establishing legal business entities and launching gene therapy products.
Work Model:Flex: This role will typically require onsite work 2-3 days each week, or more depending on business needs. In many locations, the business will set certain days each week that Flex employees are required to be onsite.
Responsibilities:- Operational effectiveness: Identify efficiencies and implement local solutions to improve productivity and scalability in the cluster.
- Strategic and tactical planning: Support the VP GM in collaborating with all functions to prepare and execute brand plans, new product launch plans, launch readiness metrics & dashboards, quarterly business reviews and long-range planning. Ensure pull-through of identified EMEA initiatives to local markets.
- Go-to-Market Gene Therapy Operations: Collaborate with the EMEA Gene Therapy launch team(s) to prepare and optimize local (site) readiness for gene therapy launches.
- Supply Chain Optimization: Partner with supply chain to enhance and develop product distribution in all markets. Lead and mange Home Delivery and Infusion services.
- Project Management: Oversee key projects, in particular affiliate legal entity set-up in prioritized countries, ensuring timelines, budgets and deliverables are met. Manage project budgets and third-party vendors to ensure optimal resource use.
- Cross-functional Cluster leadership and governance support: Support the VP GM in driving agenda preparation, slide preparation and leadership of key strategic operational meetings, offsites and forums.
- Compliance & Risk Management: Ensure adherence to local regulations e.g. ABPI, LIF etc. and mitigating operational risks
- Analytics and Insights generation: collaborating with the Regional Analytics team to ensure that maximum benefits are derived from field level interactions.
Experience
Industry Experience: 10+ years of experience in biotech, pharmaceutical, or life science industries. Rare Disease experience is highly advantageous.
Leadership Experience: Proven track record of leading cross-functional teams (scientific, commercial, and operational teams). An ability to lead and manage the establishment of local business entities. Experience in developing launch strategies for gene therapies.
Core skills:
- Strong understanding of biotech business operating models, market dynamics and regulatory landscape
- Financial acumen (budget management, financial forecasting, demand planning, KPIs)
- Strategic planning and execution
- Stakeholder management (internal teams, external vendors)
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills
Technology and Tools:
- Familiarity with biotech-specific software and databases (e.g. CRM systems)
- Proficiency in data analytic tools and reporting systems
Competencies
- Strong leadership and decision-making skills.
- High attention to detail and results-orientated mindset.
- Ability to manage ambiguity in a fast-paced environment.
- Collaborative, with strong relationship-building capabilities
- Continuous improvement mindset, with a focus on innovation and operational excellence
Location
Based in UK, with occasional travel to cluster countries (Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland) and EMEA HQ in Switzerland.
Flex position.
#LI-DNI #LI-Hybrid
Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin/ancestry, age, disability, marital and veteran status, and any other status or classification protected by applicable federal, state, and/or local laws. Reasonable accommodation will be provided for all protected statuses or classifications protected by applicable law, including individuals with disabilities, disabled veterans, for pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, and based on sincerely held religious beliefs. Applicants can request an accommodation prior to accepting a job offer. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, or in any part of the recruitment process, you may contact Talent Acquisition by emailing us at [email protected].
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Ultragenyx Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Ultragenyx and has not been reviewed or approved by Ultragenyx.
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Healthcare Strength — Benefits begin on the first day with multiple medical plan options alongside dental and vision coverage. Employer-funded HSA contributions and employer-paid mental health support via Spring Health add notable depth to healthcare support.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid time off is broadened by two fully paid company shutdown weeks in August and December in addition to holidays and baseline vacation. Paid sick time, paid volunteer time, and a substantial paid leave program further expand time-off support.
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Retirement Support — Retirement support includes a 401(k) program with a match on employee contributions and immediate vesting. An employee stock purchase plan discount also strengthens the overall financial rewards package.
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What We Do
At Ultragenyx, we fundamentally believe that taking real impactful action to care for the needs of patients and our people is always the right thing to do. To achieve this goal, our vision is to lead the future of rare disease medicine. For us, this means going where other biopharma companies won’t go – challenging the status quo and creating a new model that advances our field so more patients and caregivers can benefit from life-changing treatments. We do this by following the science, applying a novel rapid development approach, making innovative medicines at fair and reasonable prices, and creating a collaborative ecosystem to reach patients in ways that are most meaningful for them.
