Job Description: Head of Marketing (Pharmaceuticals)

Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka

Preferred Industry: Healthcare / Pharmaceuticals

The Opportunity

We are hiring on behalf of a leading blue-chip conglomerate in Sri Lanka with a significant footprint in the healthcare sector. We are seeking a strategic, high-caliber Head of Marketing to lead the pharmaceutical division’s marketing landscape.

A primary focus of this role is managing the strategic relationship and marketing initiatives for one of our premier international pharmaceutical principals. The successful candidate will act as the bridge between the principal’s global standards and the local market’s execution, ensuring market leadership for their specialized portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Brand Management & Principal Engagement

Principal Liaison: Act as the primary marketing point of contact for the designated international pharmaceutical principal, ensuring all marketing initiatives align with global brand guidelines while maximizing local market impact.
Marketing Planning: Develop and execute comprehensive annual marketing plans and budgets for the pharmaceutical portfolio to drive market share and revenue growth.
Product Launches: Lead the end-to-end commercialization and launch strategy for new molecules and products introduced by the principal.

2. Market Intelligence & Analysis

Insight Generation: Analyze market trends, competitor activities, and IMS/IQVIA data to identify growth opportunities and threats within the local therapeutic segments.
Doctor/HCP Engagement: Develop scientific communication strategies and engagement programs for Healthcare Professionals (HCPs), Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), and medical institutions.

3. Operational Leadership & Team Management

Portfolio Optimization: Monitor product performance, lifecycle management, and supply-demand forecasting in collaboration with the operations and sales teams.
Team Mentorship: Lead and develop a high-performing team of Brand Managers and Executives, fostering a culture of accountability and scientific excellence.
Compliance: Ensure all marketing activities adhere to local regulatory requirements (NMRA) and the ethical marketing standards of the international principal.

Qualifications & Experience

Experience: 8+ years of progressive experience in Marketing, with at least 2 years in a senior management role.
Sector Expertise: Strong preference for Pharmaceuticals, though high-level candidates from FMCG with experience in managing international principals/franchises will be considered.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business Management, or Science (Pharmacy/Biology). An MBA or professional qualification (CIM/SLIM) is highly desirable.
Relationship Management: Proven track record of managing "Principal-Agent" relationships or working within a multinational corporate structure.

Skills & Attributes

Strategic Vision: Ability to translate complex medical data into compelling marketing stories.
Communication: Exceptional presentation and negotiation skills, comfortable engaging with international stakeholders and senior medical professionals.
Analytical Mindset: Data-driven decision-maker with a strong grasp of P&L management and ROI tracking.
Agility: Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment within a large conglomerate structure.