Title: Senior Director of Marketing, Rare Disease
Purpose of the Role
The Senior Director of Marketing, Rare Disease, will lead the US brand strategy, execution, and lifecycle management for a growing rare disease therapeutic. This leader will be accountable for driving sustained growth, deepening category leadership, and advancing the organization’s reputation as a best‑in‑class rare disease marketer.
The role requires a leader who can seamlessly integrate strategic vision and hands‑on execution, operate with executive presence, and thrive in a matrixed, fast‑evolving environment. This individual will play a central role in shaping long‑term commercial strategy while continuing to evolve capabilities across omnichannel engagement, patient education, and data‑driven decision‑making.
Organizational Structure
- Flat reporting line with strong enterprise visibility and cross‑functional influence.
- Direct reports: 5
Why This Role Matters
This is a rare opportunity to lead one of organization’s most visible and strategically important rare disease brands at a pivotal moment in its evolution. The Senior Director of Marketing, Rare Disease, will help define long-term success, shaping not only commercial outcomes, but also setting the standard for rare disease marketing excellence.
Key Responsibilities
Brand Strategy & Lifecycle Leadership
- Own and evolve the end‑to‑end US brand strategy, from early lifecycle growth through long‑term maturity.
- Lead annual brand planning, long‑range planning, and integrated operating plans.
- Translate deep understanding of the patient journey into differentiated, patient‑centric positioning and messaging.
- Ensure the asset remains a priority growth brand within organization’s rare disease portfolio.
Launch & Commercial Excellence
- Apply proven launch and post‑launch excellence principles to optimize performance in an early‑lifecycle rare disease brand.
- Drive omnichannel engagement strategies across HCP, patient, and caregiver audiences.
- Leverage digital, social, and emerging channels to increase reach, relevance, and impact.
- Partner closely with Sales, Medical Affairs, Market Access, Legal, Regulatory, and Finance to ensure compliant, aligned execution.
Financial & Business Leadership
- Manage brand budgets with accountability for OPEX and ROI, demonstrating working knowledge of P&L dynamics.
- Partner with Finance to ensure disciplined investment decisions and scenario planning.
- Use analytics and performance metrics to guide optimization and resource allocation.
External Engagement & Thought Leadership
- Serve as a senior representative within the rare disease ecosystem, engaging with advocacy groups, KOLs, and external partners.
- Build on the organization’s reputation for award‑winning, culturally resonant marketing, continuing to push creative and strategic boundaries.
Performance Measurement and Reporting
- Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure marketing effectiveness.
- Analyse campaign performance data and provide actionable insights.
- Prepare and present regular reports to senior management.
Team Leadership & Capability Building
- Lead, coach, and develop a high‑performing marketing team (5 direct reports) with clear accountability and growth mindset.
- Foster collaboration across HCP, patient, digital, and social marketing disciplines.
- Build future‑ready capabilities aligned to the evolving rare disease landscape.
Location: Greater Boston, MA
The Candidate
Experience and Professional Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Life Sciences, or a related field required; advanced degree (MBA or equivalent) preferred.
- 10+ years of progressive pharmaceutical or biotechnology marketing experience, with demonstrated leadership in rare disease and/or specialty brands.
- Proven success leading highly effective product launches and early‑lifecycle brand building, including expertise in strategic marketing, portfolio planning, lifecycle management, execution, and positioning.
- Strong commercial acumen, with working knowledge of P&L, OPEX management, and resource allocation to drive sustainable growth.
- Recognized leader with executive presence, boardroom‑level communication skills, and the ability to influence senior stakeholders across a complex, matrixed organization.
- Powerful collaborator and influencer with a track record of driving results through cross‑functional partnership in fast‑paced environments.
- Demonstrated ability to translate market insights into differentiated strategies that create competitive advantage and position the company as a partner of choice.
- Experienced people leader with a strong record of building, developing, and up‑skilling teams, leading organizational change, and holding teams accountable to a high‑performance bar.
- Strategic, analytical, and solution‑oriented thinker with a strong sense of urgency, sound judgment, and commitment to fostering the company's culture.