Head of Portfolio Strategy

LEAPING FORWARD TO MAKE PEOPLE SMILE At Kyowa Kirin International (KKI), our purpose is to make people smile. This means more than drug discovery and development; it is about embedding care into everything we do to make a difference every day for those that need it most. We’re an inclusive pharmaceutical company that takes time to understand what really matters to our patients, their families, and their healthcare professionals, helping our people to take bold actions that deliver life-changing solutions sooner. Our culture is rooted in our values: Teamwork, Commitment to Life, Innovation, and Integrity. They help us to push boundaries to deliver extraordinary impact and make KKI a brilliant place to work.

LEAPING FORWARD TO MAKE PEOPLE SMILE At Kyowa Kirin International (KKI), our purpose is to make people smile. This means more than drug discovery and development; it is about embedding care into everything we do to make a difference every day for those that need it most. We’re an inclusive pharmaceutical company that takes time to understand what really matters to our patients, their families, and their healthcare professionals, helping our people to take bold actions that deliver life-changing solutions sooner. Our culture is rooted in our values: Teamwork, Commitment to Life, Innovation, and Integrity. They help us to push boundaries to deliver extraordinary impact and make KKI a brilliant place to work.

Overview

Head of Portfolio Strategy at Kyowa Kirin International plc

Marlow, UK

WE PUSH THE BOUNDARIES OF MEDICINE. At Kyowa Kirin International (KKI), our purpose is to make people smile. This means more than drug discovery and development; it is about embedding care into everything we do to make a difference every day for those that need it most. We’re an inclusive pharmaceutical company that takes time to understand what really matters to our patients, their families, and their healthcare professionals, helping our people to take bold actions that deliver life-changing solutions sooner. Our culture is rooted in our values: Teamwork, Commitment to Life, Innovation, and Integrity. They help us to push boundaries to deliver extraordinary impact and make KKI a brilliant place to work.

Job Purpose

The role owns the EMEA portfolio strategy and portfolio maximisation agenda and serves as the primary advisor to EMEA leadership on portfolio priorities, investment trade-offs, growth opportunities and long-term portfolio evolution. The role shapes recommendations for executive decision making across current, pipeline and external portfolio opportunities and drives alignment between EMEA and Global on future growth priorities

Responsibilities

• Partner with Franchise, Finance, Market Access and Global teams to lead enterprise-level portfolio assessments and develop strategic recommendations that inform portfolio investment priorities, pipeline prioritization and long-term portfolio evolution across EMEA
• With Global, lead strategic assessment of external opportunities, including partnerships and licensing opportunities providing recommendations on portfolio fit, value creation potential, and prioritisation
• Lead regional new product planning activities for priority pipeline assets, ensuring EMEA market needs, evidence requirements and commercial considerations are reflected in asset development and commercialisation strategies
• Serve as the primary EMEA strategic interface for priority pipeline assets, influencing Global asset strategies through regional insights, requirements and commercialization perspectives
• Act as a strategic advisor to EMEA leadership and Global stakeholders on portfolio strategy, investment priorities, growth opportunities and portfolio maximisation decisions
• Lead portfolio governance processes and decision forums, developing strategic recommendations and ensuring executive decisions are informed by robust analysis, strategic trade-offs, transparent evaluation criteria and an enterprise-wide perspective

Position Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or Master's in Business, Life Sciences, Healthcare, Economics, or a related field
• Significant experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or healthcare industry
• Demonstrated experience in portfolio strategy, strategic planning, business development, or related disciplines, with the ability to evaluate growth opportunities, investment trade-offs, and long-term portfolio evolution
• Strong understanding of the pharmaceutical product lifecycle, including asset development, evidence generation, commercialisation, market access, and new product planning
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and influence stakeholders in a matrix organisation
• Experience working across Global, regional, and local market organisations
• Strong strategic thinking, analytical capability, and business acumen
• Ability to translate market insights into portfolio recommendations while balancing strategic, commercial, and patient value considerations

Kyowa Kirin International is an equal opportunities employer.