Senior Director, New Product Strategy & Planning, North America

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Director, New Product Strategy & Planning, North America

Company: Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals Inc.

Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: New Product Strategy & Planning / Business Operations

Date Posted: April 6, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead North American new product strategy development and execution, integrating commercial perspectives into external asset assessments.

• Drive early commercialization and pre-launch planning for internal pipeline assets, ensuring US market readiness and maximizing asset value.

• Collaborate extensively with global, business development, and North America leadership to shape therapeutic area and franchise strategies.

• Act as the primary US commercial liaison for external innovation and business development opportunities throughout the evaluation lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is pivotal in bridging global product strategy with the specific nuances of the North American market, focusing on both external asset acquisition and internal pipeline commercialization. It requires a strategic thinker with deep biopharmaceutical industry knowledge and strong cross-functional leadership capabilities.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Contribute significantly to the evolution of Therapeutic Area & Franchise Strategies, providing a US market-centric viewpoint.

• Conduct comprehensive US market opportunity assessments for external asset evaluations, in close collaboration with Global Partnering & Global New Product Strategy teams.

• Establish and lead the vision for the North American new product planning function, focusing on the seamless transition of internal assets (Phase 1-2 and pre-launch Phase 3) from global to US brand teams.

• Provide US perspective on external innovation strategies, encompassing critical areas such as market access and pricing.

• Apply therapeutic area strategies to define external innovation and business development priorities, with a distinct focus on the US market landscape.

• Partner with key functions, including Value & Access, to develop robust US market opportunity assessments, identifying asset potential, strategic fit, and potential risks.

• Identify and implement process enhancements to elevate the business development assessment process, ensuring efficiency and quality.

• Serve as the dedicated US commercial lead across all phases of business development and external innovation initiatives.

• Proactively collaborate with Global Partnering & External Innovation teams to identify new opportunities and provide detailed feedback on assets under triage.

• Lead in-depth commercial evaluation processes for North America in partnership with Global New Product Strategy, encompassing market landscaping, primary/secondary market research, forecasting, pricing & access assessment, and SMM estimation to inform commercial evaluation and diligence.

• Act as a proactive partner, working collaboratively with cross-functional teams (e.g., Business Development, External Innovation, Medical Affairs, R&D, Regulatory, Finance, Country teams, Global Pricing & Access, Business Excellence) to gather essential inputs for commercial modeling and business case development.

• Ensure the streamlined, efficient, and high-quality generation of content for all evaluations, aligning with internal processes and standards.

• Own and present NA opportunity assessments for external assets to cross-functional teams and executive leadership.

• Collaborate with counterparts across different franchises to share best practices and identify synergistic business opportunities.

• Assess and develop perspectives for improved integration of new assets across development phases (1-3) into the Ipsen pipeline and NA teams.

• Provide US perspective into launch planning considerations for earlier-phase development, including crucial factors like US value and access, and other commercialization critical success factors.

• Support the VP, Business Operations & Strategy and NA President in identifying and prioritizing the best opportunities for the US market.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic analysis, cross-functional leadership, and operational execution. The emphasis on both external asset evaluation and internal pipeline commercialization indicates a broad scope of influence within Ipsen's North American operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• A minimum of 7-10 years of experience in New Product Planning, Global Marketing, Business Development, or Portfolio Management roles within the biopharmaceutical industry.

• Proven experience in early commercial planning, disease area strategy, business development activities, and forecasting.

• Strong scientific, medical, and commercial experience in oncology, neuroscience, and/or rare diseases, with demonstrated knowledge of clinical pipeline planning, business development, and launch activities.

• Strategy consulting experience in life sciences (including work in early-commercial strategy, commercialization, LCM, BD, due diligence, etc.) is highly valued.

• Experience in pricing and access within the US market is preferred.

• Demonstrated experience in developing cross-functional pre-commercialization plans within a pharmaceutical company or management consulting firm.

• Proven experience working across a cross-functional matrix team to meet deliverables on time and within budget.

• Experience with competitive landscaping analysis.

• Strategic marketing expertise (including positioning, targeting, segmentation, launch planning, life cycle management) is highly preferred.

• Strong business acumen and a deep understanding of the US market dynamics.

• Excellent analytical skills and strategic thinking capabilities, including proficiency in forecasting and business case development.

• Strong communication and presentation skills are critical.

• A demonstrated sense of urgency and experience in efficiently delivering parallel workstreams.

• Qualitative & quantitative market research experience.

Required Skills:

• New Product Planning & Strategy

• US Market Assessment & Opportunity Analysis

• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Leadership

• Business Development & External Innovation Evaluation

• Forecasting & Business Case Development

• Pricing & Market Access Strategy

• Biopharmaceutical Industry Expertise (Oncology, Neuroscience, Rare Disease)

• Strategic Marketing & Commercialization Planning

• Project Management & Execution

• Analytical & Strategic Thinking

Preferred Skills:

• Strategy Consulting (Life Sciences focus)

• Advanced Financial Modeling

• Competitive Intelligence & Landscaping

• Life Cycle Management (LCM)

• Global Marketing & Portfolio Management

• Fluent in French or other languages

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a blend of deep therapeutic area knowledge, strategic commercial acumen, and hands-on experience in the biopharmaceutical product lifecycle. The preference for consulting experience and strategic marketing expertise suggests a need for candidates who can bring external best practices and rigorous analytical frameworks to the role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a history of successful new product strategy development, evidenced by case studies or project summaries.

• Showcase experience in conducting market opportunity assessments and due diligence for external assets, including key findings and strategic recommendations.

• Provide examples of developing and implementing cross-functional pre-commercialization or launch plans, highlighting key milestones and outcomes.

• Present evidence of contributions to business case development and financial modeling for new product evaluations.

Process Documentation:

• Illustrate experience in developing and refining business development assessment processes to enhance efficiency and quality.

• Showcase examples of integrating global strategies with US market specific requirements in product planning.

• Document approaches to collaborating with cross-functional teams to gather data and inputs for commercial modeling and business case development.

• Provide evidence of improving or contributing to the streamlining of evaluation processes for new products.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates are expected to provide tangible evidence of their strategic planning and execution capabilities through their portfolio. This should include specific examples of market assessments, commercialization strategies, and cross-functional project leadership, demonstrating an ability to drive value from early-stage assets.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Financial Security: 401(k) with company contributions, Life insurance, Disability insurance (short- and long-term), Flexible spending accounts.

• Health & Wellness: Group medical, dental, and vision coverage, Well-being allowance.

• Work-Life Balance: Parental leave, Paid time off (PTO), Discretionary winter shutdown, Commuter benefits.

Working Hours:

• The standard working hours for this role are 40 hours per week, reflecting a full-time commitment. While on-site, the company likely offers flexibility within standard business operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a Senior Director level role in the biopharmaceutical sector in the Boston/Cambridge area, reflecting the strategic importance and experience required. The comprehensive benefits package is typical for a mid-to-large sized pharmaceutical company and aims to support employees' financial, health, and work-life balance needs. This estimate is based on the provided salary information and typical industry offerings for similar roles in major US biotech hubs.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Biopharmaceutical (focusing on Oncology, Rare Disease, and Neuroscience).

Company Size: Mid-sized global biopharmaceutical company. This size often signifies a balance between the resources and stability of a larger organization and the agility and potential for individual impact found in smaller companies. For operations professionals, it can mean broader exposure to different facets of the business and potentially fewer layers of bureaucracy.

Founded: Nearly 100 years of development experience. This long history suggests a stable organization with established processes, a deep understanding of the pharmaceutical landscape, and a commitment to long-term innovation.

Team Structure:

• The role is part of the Business Operations & Strategy team, reporting directly to the VP of Business Operations. This structure indicates a centralized strategic planning function that supports broader business initiatives.

• Close collaboration is expected with the Global New Product Strategy & Innovation Team, Business Development, and North America leadership, highlighting a matrixed reporting and working environment.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Strategy: Emphasis on thorough market assessment, forecasting, and business case development, indicating a reliance on quantitative and qualitative data to inform strategic decisions.

• Process Optimization: The role involves assessing and developing perspectives for better integration of new assets and enhancing the business development assessment process, pointing to a continuous improvement mindset.

• Agile Commercialization: Focus on early commercialization and pre-launch planning suggests an approach that prepares for market entry proactively and adaptively.

Company Website: https://www.ipsen.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Ipsen's focus on specific therapeutic areas and its global presence suggest a strategic, research-intensive environment. The "mid-sized" nature implies that individual contributions can have a significant impact, and operations roles may require adaptability and a broad understanding of business functions.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Director. This level signifies a leadership position with significant responsibility for strategic initiatives, team influence, and cross-functional alignment. It requires a blend of deep functional expertise and strong leadership capabilities.

Reporting Structure: Reports to the VP of Business Operations & Strategy. This direct line to senior leadership offers high visibility and the opportunity to influence strategic direction at a critical level. The role also collaborates extensively with global and NA leadership, indicating broad exposure.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct and substantial impact on Ipsen's future growth by identifying and shaping the commercial strategy for new products. Decisions made within this role will influence pipeline prioritization, investment decisions, and ultimately, the company's therapeutic area leadership and revenue generation in North America.

Growth Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership: Potential to evolve the new product planning function for North America, establishing best practices and leading strategic initiatives.

• Therapeutic Area Expansion: Deepen expertise and influence across Ipsen's core therapeutic areas (Oncology, Rare Disease, Neuroscience) through continuous engagement with new assets and market dynamics.

• Cross-Functional Advancement: Develop broader business acumen by working across diverse functions, potentially leading to roles in broader commercial strategy, portfolio management, or business unit leadership.

• Mentorship & Development: Opportunities to mentor junior team members and contribute to the development of the Business Operations & Strategy team's capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Senior Director level suggests a trajectory towards executive leadership within Ipsen. The role's strategic nature and cross-functional exposure provide a strong foundation for further career advancement, particularly in areas related to product commercialization, market access, and overall business strategy.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a prominent hub for the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry. This location typically fosters a collaborative and innovation-driven environment. The role is specified as "On-site."

Office Location(s): Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. This area offers excellent access to talent, research institutions, and other industry partners.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect to work in a dynamic office setting that encourages interaction with diverse teams across global and North American functions.

• Technology & Tools: Access to standard business productivity software, likely including advanced analytics platforms, CRM systems (though not explicitly detailed for this role's direct use, interfaces will be critical), and project management tools.

• Team Interaction: Frequent opportunities for in-person collaboration with colleagues in strategy, business development, marketing, medical affairs, and other key departments.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, 40 hours per week. Given the strategic and cross-functional nature of the position, some flexibility may be available, but consistent on-site presence is required for effective collaboration and engagement with local teams and leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Cambridge suggests an environment geared towards in-person collaboration, essential for strategic planning and business development activities that often involve complex discussions and relationship building.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and application to assess alignment with the core requirements, particularly experience in biopharma new product planning and US market strategy.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion focused on your background, experience in therapeutic areas, and understanding of the role's responsibilities. Be prepared to discuss your approach to market assessment and strategy development.

• Cross-functional Panel Interview: You will likely meet with key stakeholders from departments such as Business Development, Global Marketing, Medical Affairs, and Value & Access. This assesses your ability to collaborate effectively and understand diverse functional perspectives.

• Case Study Presentation: A common step for senior strategy roles. You may be given a hypothetical asset or market scenario to analyze and present a strategic plan, including commercial evaluation, forecasting, and launch considerations for the US market.

• Executive Leadership Interview: A final conversation with senior leadership (e.g., VP of Business Operations, NA President) to evaluate strategic fit, leadership potential, and alignment with company culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: For each project or experience, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the actions taken, and the measurable results or impact on the business (e.g., asset progression, strategic recommendations adopted, process improvements).

• Demonstrate Strategic Thinking: Showcase your ability to analyze complex market dynamics, identify opportunities and risks, and develop actionable strategies. Use frameworks like SWOT, Porter's Five Forces, or market segmentation where appropriate.

• Highlight Cross-functional Collaboration: Provide examples of how you've worked effectively with diverse teams to achieve common goals, emphasizing communication and influencing skills.

• Quantify Achievements: Whenever possible, use numbers and data to support your claims. This could include market share projections, revenue impact, cost savings, or efficiency gains.

• Tailor to Ipsen: Research Ipsen's therapeutic areas, pipeline, and recent strategic moves. Frame your portfolio examples to demonstrate how your skills and experience align with their specific business objectives and therapeutic focus.

Challenge Preparation:

• Market Analysis: Be prepared to discuss how you would assess a new oncology, neuroscience, or rare disease asset for the US market. Consider factors like unmet need, competitive landscape, pricing and access considerations, and clinical differentiation.

• Strategic Planning Scenarios: Practice developing a high-level pre-launch commercialization plan for an early-phase asset, outlining key strategic pillars, target audience, and critical success factors for the US.

• Business Development Due Diligence: Think about the key commercial questions you would ask during the due diligence of an external opportunity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess not only your technical expertise in new product strategy but also your leadership, communication, and collaboration skills. A strong portfolio that clearly articulates strategic impact and quantifiable results will be crucial for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CRM Systems (e.g., Salesforce): While not directly managing a sales team, understanding CRM data structure, reporting capabilities, and its role in customer engagement and market intelligence is vital for strategy development.

• Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word): Essential for data analysis, financial modeling, strategic presentations, and report generation. Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, macros) are critical for forecasting and modeling.

• Project Management Software (e.g., Asana, Trello, MS Project): For managing complex, multi-phase projects and coordinating with cross-functional teams.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Business Intelligence Tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI): For visualizing market data, competitive intelligence, and performance metrics, enabling data-driven insights for strategic planning.

• Forecasting Software/Models: While specific tools may vary, proficiency in developing and interpreting forecast models is key. This might involve custom Excel models or specialized pharma forecasting software.

• Market Research Databases (e.g., IQVIA, EvaluatePharma, Clarivate): Accessing and analyzing data from these sources is fundamental for landscape analysis, opportunity assessment, and competitive intelligence.

CRM & Automation:

• Data Analysis & Visualization Tools: Proficiency in tools that can process and present complex datasets is essential for informing strategic decisions.

• Collaboration Platforms (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Slack): For seamless communication and document sharing within a matrixed global organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job description doesn't list specific tools, a Senior Director in strategy and planning is expected to be highly proficient in data analysis, financial modeling, presentation software, and project management tools. Familiarity with pharmaceutical industry data sources and forecasting methodologies is crucial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Patient-Centricity: A core value in the biopharmaceutical industry, driving decisions to meet unmet medical needs. Operations professionals are expected to align their strategies with patient well-being and access.

• Excellence & Impact: Ipsen emphasizes achieving high standards and making a tangible difference. This translates to a focus on rigorous analysis, robust strategy, and measurable outcomes in new product planning.

• Collaboration: Working in a matrixed global environment requires strong teamwork, open communication, and the ability to build consensus across diverse functions and geographies.

• Human-Centric Leadership: This suggests a culture that values individual contributions, fosters growth, and encourages employees to be authentic. Operations professionals should expect a supportive yet performance-driven environment.

• Innovation: Given the focus on transformative medicines, a culture that embraces new ideas and approaches to product development and commercialization is likely.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expect a highly collaborative approach, working hand-in-hand with global teams, business development, medical affairs, regulatory, R&D, finance, and commercial functions.

• Process-Oriented Feedback: A culture that encourages constructive feedback on processes and strategies to drive continuous improvement in evaluation and planning.

• Knowledge Sharing: A willingness to share best practices and insights across franchises and teams to elevate the collective capabilities of the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: Ipsen's stated values suggest a culture that balances high performance with employee well-being and collaboration. For an operations role, this means demonstrating a commitment to patient outcomes while executing strategies with precision and teamwork.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Global Strategy with US Market Nuances: Effectively translating global product strategies into US-specific commercial plans that account for unique market dynamics, payer landscapes, and competitive pressures.

• Navigating Complex Stakeholder Landscapes: Managing expectations and aligning diverse stakeholders across multiple functions and geographies, from R&D to senior executive leadership.

• Early-Stage Asset Uncertainty: Working with assets in early development phases (Phase 1-2) involves inherent uncertainty regarding clinical efficacy, safety, and market potential, requiring robust risk assessment and scenario planning.

• Rapidly Evolving Biopharma Market: Keeping pace with scientific advancements, regulatory changes, and competitive shifts within the oncology, neuroscience, and rare disease sectors.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepening Therapeutic Area Expertise: Gaining in-depth knowledge of specific disease states, treatment paradigms, and patient journeys within Ipsen's core therapeutic areas.

• Strategic Leadership Development: Enhancing skills in executive communication, strategic decision-making, and leading complex cross-functional initiatives.

• Business Development & Deal-Making Insight: Gaining practical experience in evaluating and structuring external partnerships and acquisitions.

• Industry Engagement: Opportunities to attend relevant industry conferences, forums, and training to stay abreast of best practices in new product planning and commercial strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges inherent in this role offer significant opportunities for professional growth. Successfully navigating these complexities will build a strong foundation for future leadership roles in the biopharmaceutical industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you assessed an external asset for potential acquisition or partnership. What was your process, what were the key commercial considerations, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your methodology, analytical rigor, and strategic recommendation.)

• "How would you approach developing a pre-launch commercialization strategy for an early-phase oncology asset in the US market, considering limited clinical data?" (Highlight your understanding of US market access, competitive landscaping, and phased planning.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your research, what do you see as Ipsen's biggest strategic opportunities or challenges in North America within its core therapeutic areas?" (Demonstrate your understanding of the company's business and market position.)

• "How would you foster collaboration between the Global New Product Strategy team and the North America Business Operations & Strategy team?" (Showcase your cross-functional communication and influencing skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling with Data: Structure your portfolio presentations as compelling narratives. Clearly define the challenge, your strategic approach, the execution, and the quantifiable impact or learnings.

• Visual Clarity: Use clear, concise slides with strong visuals (graphs, charts) to illustrate market data, strategic frameworks, and outcomes. Avoid text-heavy slides.

• Focus on US Market Impact: For each example, explicitly connect your work to its relevance and impact on the North American market and Ipsen's business objectives.

• Anticipate Questions: Be prepared to dive deeper into any aspect of your presented projects, including the assumptions made, alternative strategies considered, and lessons learned.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on articulating your strategic thinking, quantifying your impact, and demonstrating your ability to collaborate effectively within a complex pharmaceutical organization. Being able to clearly explain your thought process for market assessment and strategy development will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the Ipsen careers portal via the provided URL.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your resume and any supporting documents to prominently feature your experience in new product planning, US market strategy, business development evaluation, and cross-functional leadership within the biopharmaceutical sector. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your 7-10+ years of relevant experience, advanced degree (MBA or Life Sciences), and specific therapeutic area expertise (Oncology, Rare Disease, Neuroscience). Use keywords identified in the job description and this enhanced listing.

• Interview Preparation: Thoroughly research Ipsen, its therapeutic areas, pipeline, and recent news. Prepare specific examples for behavioral and situational interview questions, focusing on strategic thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving. Practice presenting your portfolio.

• Company & Role Alignment: Articulate clearly why you are interested in this specific role at Ipsen and how your skills and experience align with the company's mission and the requirements of the Senior Director, New Product Strategy & Planning position.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.