Associate Director Marketing (UK and Ireland)

Santen is a specialized life sciences company with a proud 130-year heritage focused exclusively on ophthalmology. As a Japan-originated, global company with our footprint in over 60 countries, we are dedicated to delivering innovative treatments and digital solutions for eye health and addressing vision-related social issues for people around the world.  

Do you want to shape the marketing organization at Santen UK and take full ownership of one of our key franchises in the UK & Ireland, driving strategic brand success from planning through execution? We are looking for a driven and passionate Associate Director, Marketing (Ireland & UK) to join our team in St. Albans.  

In this pivotal role, you will shape the team and lead the development of a comprehensive, cross-functional product lifecycle plan in close collaboration with the EMEA CSO team. Your scope will span market analysis, forecasting, budget planning, Key Opinion Leader engagement, and the delivery of high-impact tactical programs through both the sales force and omnichannel platforms. 

What you will do 

We are looking for a strategic and inspiring marketing leader to drive brand success across our promoted portfolio. This is a high-impact role where you'll collaborate cross-functionally, lead a talented team, and bring innovative campaigns to life. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Leading the cross-functional development of the UK&I brand/therapeutic area plans with the marketing team for all promoted products in alignment with the respective EMEA plans. Gaining approval for these plans with the UKI Leadership Team and EMEA CSO 
• Working with finance and aligned functions to support the development of 1- and 3-year brand forecasts through the provision of market insights and current dynamics 
• Leading the execution of the promoted brand plans in collaboration with direct reports, the cross functional team and key external collaborators including KOLs and agencies. Ensuring that national campaigns are localized, launched to fit local market needs and execution is monitored. 
• Ensure that the team work cross-functionally with Medical and PMA to ensure implementation of life cycle planning relative to each promoted brand 
• Ensuring that the marketing team work collaboratively to develop and execute appropriate multichannel strategies, ensure Santen presence at key congresses/events and work closely with KOLs to ensure that significant developments in the field are identified and monitored, and key projects are delivered  
• Track key brand commercial performance metrics and ensuring the right KPIs are identified, tracked and met for all key tactics in collaboration with cross-functional team. Develop plans to address competitive threats, changes in market dynamics, or deviations in budget achievement  
• Ensure good management of promotional budgets including identifying opportunities for savings and efficiencies.  
• Provide leadership to the marketing team including coaching, advising and developing team members. Work to support collaborative working and high levels of engagement with the broader business  
• Ensure all marketing programs are compliant with UK & Ireland regulations & Santen SOPs 

What you will bring to the role 

• University degree or equivalent in science and/or business, Marketing. 
• Understanding of IT solutions used in marketing/sales. 
• Minimum of 10 years of demonstrated experience in marketing including new product launch experience ideally with some Ophthalmology experience. 
• Experience of the managed entry of new products in the UK (market access experience) 
• Previous Key Opinion Leader relationship and institutional account management experience. 
• Experience in digital marketing & the use of alternative channels. 
• Deep marketing expertise in market & customer insights, product commercialization and branding. 
• Ability to build strong relationships with key customers and be an ambassador for Santen externally with Key Opinion Leader and other key stakeholders. 
• Ability to motivate and work well with diverse, global and cross-functional teams. 
• Flexibility & mobility – available to travel when required (25% travel). 

Ready to make a difference?  

Apply today and help us shape the future of eye health. 

Grow your career at Santen

A career at Santen is an opportunity to make a difference. Through our long-term vision outlined in Santen 2030, we are committed to be a Social Innovator - addressing the social and economic needs of people with visual impairments. We have team members around the world using their diverse talents to unlock new modalities and drive innovations for patient outcomes, education and treatment. At Santen, we believe in empowering all our team members with flexible ways of working and a highly inclusive work environment.

The Santen Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building diverse teams and ensuring a safe and inclusive physical and virtual workplace for every one of our team members. All employment decisions are based on business needs, role requirements and individual qualifications regardless of race, color, ethnicity, national origin/ancestry, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/ expression, age, disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you require any kind of accommodation during our recruitment process, please let the recruiter from our team know.