Partners Alliance Head, International Markets Development Division

Purpose

The International Markets Development Division (IMDD) is responsible for expanding and managing Chiesi's operations in international markets. This division focuses on portfolio strategy, commercial excellence, and the integration of various business units to enhance the company's presence and performance in growth and core markets.

Based in the HQ and within the truly international environment of International Markets Development Division (IMDD), specifically within the Core Markets Business Unit, the Alliance Head plays a pivotal role in driving and overseeing mid and long-term strategic partnerships across more than 40 countries (Latin America, North Africa, Levant, Balkans, Baltics and Central Asia). This position supports the Business Unit VP and collaborates closely with Sales & Marketing Leads to ensure strategic alignment and operational excellence.

The role requires a thorough understanding of company policies, compliance frameworks, and strategic direction, with the objective of developing and reinforcing mutually beneficial partnerships to ensure patient access to Chiesi’s medicines. To achieve this, the Alliance Head will foster close collaboration with external partners and cross-functional colleagues across the IMDD team and global functions—including Portfolio Strategy and Commercial Excellence, Finance, Legal & Compliance, Business Development, Pricing & Reimbursement, Regulatory Affairs.

Main Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Market Development

• Support the BU Head in defining mid- and long-term strategies for countries within scope.
• Collaborate with partners and Sales & Marketing Leads to foresee main key trend and key drivers of market development for the countries in scope and anticipate relevant actions.
• Identify and foster implementation of initiatives that accelerate the BU’s development (e.g., strategic programs like acceleration plans and).

Partner & Contract Management

• Assess existing partners to ensure strategic fit and performance; possibly scout new partners if required.
• Drive the partnership: lead alliance initiation, contract negotiation, value optimization commercial guidelines harmonization and ongoing partner oversight.
• Ensure partner contracts are updated and aligned with short-, mid- and long-term strategic objectives, including stock management, supply pricing, commission structures and Chiesi policies
• Conduct or coordinate audits of partners (legal, compliance, reputation, etc.).

Operational Excellence & Business Model Optimization

• Collaborate with Sales & Marketing Leads and Portfolio Strategy and Commercial Excellence team to ensure flawless operations to support partners’ business optimization.
• Review and recommend go-to-market models (e.g., hybrid, affiliate, direct supply) based on market needs and strategic goals.
• Collaborate with Sales & Marketing Leads and Portfolio Strategy and Commercial Excellence team to evaluate local partner capabilities to meet IMDD business requirements (e.g., customer coverage, resource availability).

Sustainability & Compliance

• Collaborate with SV&S IMDD on sustainability topics, including follow-up on EcoVadis assessments.
• Ensure partner practices align with the Group’s sustainability and compliance standards.

Experience Required

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in the pharmaceutical sector
• Experience in international commercial customer-facing roles (i.e. Business Development, Alliance Management, Sales & Marketing) that involve relationships with local partners for distribution is required
• First-hand expertise in contracting and commercial operations, ensuring the ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments and drive strategic outcomes.

Education

A degree in Pharmacy, Economics, Law, or other Technology or Scientific disciplines is required, reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of the role

Soft Skills

• Proactive and results-driven attitude
• Ability to challenge the status quo and drive change
• Cultural awareness and adaptability experience and flexibility in navigating cross-cultural interactions
• Strategic Thinking and Business acumen: combining strategic thinking with robust data-driven analysis to support informed decision-making, business performance and partner’s business optimization
• Ability to foster synergies, build strong relationships and influence both internal and external stakeholders to achieve common objectives 
• Learning agility and simplification attitude

Technical Skills

• Basic Financial Knowledge: Familiarity with key financial metrics and their impact on operational and commercial outcomes including Budgeting, cost analysis and financial performance indicators
• Pharma Market & Environment Expertise: broad knowledge and understanding of the pharmaceutical market dynamics, regulatory landscape, P&R and competitive environment (for countries in scope)
• Partners management: building and maintaining strategic relationships with key partners to drive mutual growth and value
• Negotiation skills & contract management: overseeing contract negotiations, execution, and compliance to ensure alignment with business
• Product knowledge (Therapeutic Areas in scope)

Languages

Fluent English; Spanish, French or Russian would be considered as a plus

Location

The role is based in the Headquarters in Parma, Italy with hybrid way of working. Weekly presence in the HQ is required as well as availability to travel.