Head of Rare Disease - International Operations

Location: Ballerup 2750, Denmark, Denmark 
Contract type: Permanent 
Job ID: 4349 

Are you ready to take the lead in growing an impactful therapeutic area and passionate about making a profound difference in patients’ lives? LEO Pharma is looking for an inspiring Head of Rare Disease for our International Operations (IO). You will as strategic advisor to the Executive Vice President spearhead rare disease treatments in International Operations

Join us in creating a future legacy in medical dermatology

At LEO Pharma, we are global leaders in medical dermatology. We have 115 years’ experience in bringing innovation to healthcare. And we are eager to do much more. Each year, close to 100 million people have a better day because of our medicines.  

Your role

Reporting directly to the Executive Vice President, you have the role of defining and executing on the strategic priorities within the rare disease area in International operations.

Your responsibilities include:

• Driving sustainable growth of rare disease assets across the region - strengthening rare disease commercial and medical capabilities across affiliates.
• Ensuring alignment between global strategy and local execution in close collaboration with marketing, sales, access, and medical to successfully navigate complex reimbursement landscapes and set up robust go-to market strategies.
• Guiding launch readiness planning and post-launch optimization and best practices sharing across markets to elevate execution standards.
• Preparing IO for future rare disease launches through strategic assessment and partnership with Business Development.
• Serving as the strategic advisor to the EVP for IO and contribute to IO portfolio prioritization and investment decisions.
• Building rare disease expertise across IO, including tools, training, and cross-functional integration.
• Serving as an active member of the IO Management Team
• Contributing to portfolio prioritization, resource allocation, and long-term growth planning
• Representing IO Rare Disease in senior cross-regional forums

The role offers:

• A unique opportunity to make a real impact in the lives of patients living with rare diseases across the globe.
• A strategic leadership role in a critical growth area, where your vision will shape the future of this therapeutic field.
• Collaboration with a global network of cross-functional teams and external stakeholders.
• The ability to drive innovation and lead groundbreaking initiatives with worldwide impact.
• A platform to act as a change leader within a dynamic organization driven by curiosity, collaboration, and purpose.

Your qualifications

To succeed in this role, we imagine that you have the following qualifications:

Experience & Background

• 10+ years in pharmaceutical or biotech leadership roles
• Strong background in rare disease markets, ideally combining country leadership with regional or above-market responsibilities
• Experience in Europe, with strong preference for exposure to Asia and emerging markets
• Proven cross-functional leadership across Sales, Marketing, Market Access, and Medical
• Hands-on experience launching or scaling specialty/rare disease assets
• Deep understanding of access pathways, reimbursement dynamics, and complex stakeholder ecosystems
• Experience contributing to strategic portfolio assessments or BD evaluations is a strong plus

As a person you are:

• Strategically minded, but able to execute on your strategies
• An impactful and clear communicator
• A data-driven decision maker
• Passionate about improving outcomes for patients with rare diseases

LEO Pharma is built on collaboration, innovation and curiosity. Is this you? Can you bring a visionary mindset, strong communication and stakeholder management skills, and a people-first leadership approach? Do you thrive in complexity, embrace challenges with agility, and remain results-driven with a commitment to excellence and patient impact? If so, we would love to hear from you.

Your application

You do not need to upload a cover letter, but feel free to add a few sentences in your resume or CV on why this position has your interest. Please refrain from adding a photo to your CV.

Although this role is based at our headquarters in Denmark, we are open to considering a hybrid work arrangement across Europe.

Beyond the skin

Become part of LEO Pharma, a global leader in medical dermatology, as we go beyond the skin to make a lasting impact. We are the legacy-builders of the future – enabling people to have a better today and tomorrow. With the world as our lab, we are transforming innovative ideas into more effective and easier-to-use medicines. Through collaboration and partnerships, we can do much more. 

At LEO Pharma, we believe in the power of individuals to drive change. Our flat organizational structure empowers you to make a visible impact and offers versatile roles for professional growth. We value diversity and welcome applications from all qualified candidates, recognizing that our different perspectives, backgrounds, and attitudes enable us to make the best decisions. Join our passionate team at LEO Pharma and be yourself as we work together to make a fundamental difference.

For certain positions, LEO Pharma might complete a background check conducted by a third party.

Join us and make an impact in, on and far beyond the skin. Apply now!

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