Disease Area Lead, Oncology - Bulgaria

Disease Area Lead, Oncology - Bulgaria

Location: Sofia, Bulgaria

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines. In Oncology, we are on a mission to eliminate cancer as a cause of death. We innovate and compete with urgency, driven by our commitment to patients and guided by our values: We follow the science. We put patients first. We play to win. We do the right thing. We are entrepreneurial.

The Opportunity

We are looking for a Disease Area Lead, Oncology to join our team in Sofia, Bulgaria. Reporting to the Franchise Head, Oncology Balkans, this is a senior strategic leadership role with full ownership of the oncology franchise strategy and performance within the local Marketing Company.

As Disease Area Lead, you will be the strategic owner of the franchise, setting the long-term direction, driving the growth agenda, and aligning all functions behind a unified franchise vision. You will lead and operate effectively within a matrix organisation, driving alignment across Medical, Market Access, Sales, Diagnostics, and Regulatory functions, and providing strategic direction to Brand Managers and Key Account Managers to ensure high-quality execution in market. This role sits at the intersection of strategic leadership, commercial accountability, and people development, and is critical to AstraZeneca's ambition to eliminate cancer as a cause of death.

What You Will Do

Strategic and Commercial Planning

• Own and drive the overall oncology franchise strategy and long-term growth agenda, in alignment with the Franchise Head, Oncology Balkans

• Lead business and strategy planning, including forecasting, market analysis, and pricing and reimbursement strategy, ensuring critical success factors for Bulgaria are met

• Lead the creation of innovative and highly effective strategic brand plans grounded in a deep understanding of the patient journey

• Develop clear country value propositions for patients and healthcare professionals, ensuring full alignment with the Global brand team strategy

• Provide strategic direction and ensure high-quality execution through Brand Managers and cross-functional teams, anticipating marketplace changes and maximising growth opportunities

• Lead or oversee all product launches and line extensions within the franchise

• Oversee budget management for all brands within the franchise

Cross-Functional and Franchise Leadership

• Lead and align cross-functional teams across Medical, Market Access, Sales, Diagnostics, and Regulatory to deliver franchise priorities through a single, coherent franchise vision

• Implement a cross-functional account planning and customer engagement strategy, regularly evaluating effectiveness and exploring innovative approaches

• Build and maintain strong external relationships within the oncology community, including with KOLs, patient organisations, and healthcare systems

• Source and engage external agencies and suppliers, in conjunction with Procurement and Brand Manager(s), to enhance brand and franchise performance

Sales Management

• Agree and deliver on growth, sales, and operational targets for the franchise

• Work with Key Account Managers to identify and prioritise strategically valuable accounts and develop account strategies aligned with franchise direction and the national regulatory environment

• Monitor business plan implementation and KAM sales performance to ensure profitability and KPIs are achieved as planned

People Leadership and Capability Building

• Build a high-performing franchise team through active coaching, mentoring, and structured capability development for Brand Manager(s) and Key Account Manager(s)

• Develop and implement people plans that ensure both immediate franchise success and long-term talent development

• Promote a culture of diversity, lifelong learning, collaboration, and psychological safety, enabling individuals to reach their full potential and contribute to shared success

• Manage manpower costs effectively within the franchise

Compliance

• Ensure all franchise activities comply with the AZ Code of Ethics, Global External Interactions Policy, Privacy Policy, external regulations, and internal policies

• Monitor and reinforce compliance by team members and third parties, and promptly address and report instances of non-compliance

• Complete all required training, including product examinations, on time

What We Are Looking For

Essential Requirements

• University degree in Medicine, Pharmacy, or a Life Sciences discipline, with a minimum of 5 years' relevant experience in an innovative pharmaceutical company

• Proven people leadership experience, including directly managing, coaching, and developing team members such as Brand Managers and Key Account Managers

• Proven experience leading cross-functional teams and operating effectively within matrix organisations across Medical, Market Access, Diagnostics, Sales, and Regulatory

• Proven ability to drive change and lead teams through complex, fast-moving commercial environments

• Strong understanding of the Bulgarian healthcare system, including reimbursement pathways and market access dynamics

• Ability to integrate scientific knowledge with external and internal insights to develop patient-centred brand strategies, communicate complex clinical information effectively, and build lasting stakeholder relationships

• Proven ability to develop localised marketing solutions that translate global strategy into local market needs

• Ability to set and achieve strategic franchise goals, lead forecasting processes, and define sales, cost, and operational targets

• Ability to provide high-quality input to Senior Management and oversee organisational processes and budgets

• Strategic and creative thinking, with proven leadership, communication, presentation, and negotiation skills

• Fluency in Bulgarian and English, both written and spoken

• Valid driving licence

Desirable Requirements

• Experience in Oncology, Oncology Brand Management, or another specialty or innovative therapy area, with strong commercial experience across marketing and/or sales functions

• Experience in omnichannel and/or digital marketing

• Experience in sales or sales management

• Learning agility and resilience

• Strong patient orientation and a collaborative, inclusive working style

• Experience in market access and/or policy-shaping projects

What To Expect

• Location: Sofia, Bulgaria

• Reports to: Franchise Head, BC Oncology Balkans

• Team scope: Manager of a team with 5-8 direct and indirect reports

• Travel: Approximately 30% for business trips and conferences

• Geographic remit: Bulgaria

Date Posted

07-Mai-2026

Closing Date

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity.  We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills.  We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.  We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics.  We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorisation and employment eligibility verification requirements.