Location Jeddah, Mecca Region, Saudi Arabia
JOB TITLE Diagnostics Manager – Rare Disease
ABOUT ASTRAZENECA
AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. But we’re more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies.
ROLE SUMMARY
AstraZeneca is accelerating the expansion of our geographical footprint in rare diseases following the acquisition of Alexion in 2021. Rare diseases is a high-growth therapy area with rapid innovation and significant unmet medical need. Over 7,000 rare diseases are known today – yet less than 1% of them have an approved treatment.
As part of our journey to establish a leadership position in Rare Diseases over the past year, we are seeking a
Rare Diseases Diagnostics Manager to join our team in the GCC. This full-time role will be instrumental in developing and implementing diagnostic strategies aimed at shaping the rare disease ecosystem, with a focus on genetic conditions.
The
Diagnostics Manager will serve as a key partner, particularly in the realm of molecular diagnostics, ensuring healthcare providers (HCPs) are equipped with the necessary insights to optimize patient identification for targeted therapies. This role will tailor and execute AstraZeneca's brand strategies within the local market, ensuring alignment with overall objectives.
In this role, the Diagnostics Manager will be responsible for shaping the diagnostic ecosystem and delivering high-quality, in-market diagnostic solutions that facilitate timely and accurate treatment decisions throughout the patient journey. By building strategic and long-term partnerships with key Rare Disease stakeholders and decision-makers, the manager will address the complex challenges in the rare disease testing landscape. This requires a deep scientific understanding of diagnostic processes, as well as the ability to navigate clinical and operational barriers to create tailored testing solutions.
The Diagnostics Manager reports directly to the Market Access & Diagnostics Head.
What you’ll do
Develops strategic partnerships
Assesses Testing Options: Evaluates and selects diagnostic partners, labs, and networks based on market needs, capabilities, and alignment with rare disease testing goals.
Overcomes Testing Barriers: Builds partnerships with diagnostic companies, lab networks, Key External Experts (KEEs), and healthcare providers (HCPs) to remove barriers to accurate, timely testing and expand access.
Collaborates with National Leaders: Engages with national diagnostic and clinical KEEs to co-create strategies and activities to optimize genetic disease diagnostics for key brands.
Enhances Pathway Efficiency: Strengthens testing protocols at national, regional and ecosystem/ account level, streamlining processes like genetic counselling and other bottlenecks.
Represents the Company: Serves as a credible scientific spokesperson at conferences, symposia, and scientific meetings, presenting on diagnostics for rare diseases.
Develops diagnostic strategy
Shapes National Policy: Leads the development of the diagnostic strategy for current and future Rare Disease products, influencing national policies (i.e. on genetic testing).
Informs Brand Strategy: Provides diagnostic insights to refine brand strategies and inform tactical plans at the GCC level.
Monitors Performance: Tracks diagnostic-related brand performance and implements improvement plans to support growth.
Ensures Market Readiness: Assesses diagnostic preparedness for product launches, ensuring market readiness to make informed go/no-go decisions.
Supports testing by improving the testing environment
Optimizes Testing Pathways: Identifies gaps and inefficiencies in the current diagnostic landscape and works with external partners to streamline pathways and minimize delays in diagnosis.
Develops QA Programs: Drives the development and implementation of diagnostic quality assurance (QA) programs to ensure consistency and accuracy in testing.
Bridges Evidence Gaps: Utilizes real-world evidence, medical research, and epidemiology to support diagnostic education and identifies gaps in evidence for global or local strategy.
Build capability in internal and external stakeholders
Expert Resource: Serves as the internal and external subject matter expert, providing educational support and leadership.
Leads Educational Initiatives: Delivers targeted diagnostic training to stakeholders through various formats such as congresses, exhibitions, and digital platforms.
Strengthens Cross-functional Teams: Develops diagnostic expertise across medical, commercial, and payer teams, ensuring alignment and collaboration on genetic testing initiatives.
Ensures Ethical Compliance: Upholds and promotes the highest standards of business ethics, ensuring compliance with company values, local laws, and global standards.
Only applications based in KSA will be considered.
Essential for the role
Medical/pharmacy degree Additional certifications in genetics is a plus Experience working with rare disease portfolio True understanding of market-specific diagnostic / testing environment and Rare Disease ecosystem across the GCC Proven experience in building partnerships with diagnostic companies, KEEs, labs, and national healthcare organizations Demonstrated success in developing testing pathways and implementing diagnostic strategies that align with brand objectives Strong influencing skills, ability to engage and collaborate with relevant stakeholders, to present credibility, build and maintain trustful and mutually beneficial relationships Team player, is part of a cross functional team and contributes fully by sharing information and linking insights Drives results and is patient and customer oriented Very good analytic skills with ability to see results and effects from a broader perspective Strong project management skills Innovation and creativity. Good strategic thinking Good command of English
At AstraZeneca we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients, and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration, and always committed to lifelong learning, growth, and development. We’re on an exciting journey to pioneer the future of healthcare.
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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.
Transcript
% buffered00:00 01:22 Video length: 82 seconds 1:22 Mike Commercial Business Director
