Roche

Roche fosters diversity, equity and inclusion, representing the communities we serve. When dealing with healthcare on a global scale, diversity is an essential ingredient to success. We believe that inclusion is key to understanding people’s varied healthcare needs. Together, we embrace individuality and share a passion for exceptional care. Join Roche, where every voice matters.

The Position

A healthier future. It’s what drives us to innovate. To continuously advance science and ensure everyone has access to the healthcare they need today and for generations to come.

Creating a world where we all have more time with the people we love.

That’s what makes us Roche. 

The Opportunity

Roche Pharma in Midrand is seeking a Business Development & Commercial Operations Lead to contribute and support the company’s overall strategy in targeting, evaluating, and executing external growth opportunities in close coordination with the GM and Roche’s Leadership Team (LT). 

Key Challenges

Strategic Development

• Support and lead commercial deals by seeking, evaluating, recommending, and structuring external agreements while managing internal processes to finalize those deals. 
• Keep updated on industry news and trends.
• Co-lead alignment with GM, access and commercial teams regarding strategic priority targets for partnering.
• Identify opportunities as part of the broader Business Development team. 

Cross-functional collaboration & process

• Portfolio Gap Analysis and Strategic Alignment: Collaborate with access and commercial teams to analyze the portfolio and identify gaps. Source opportunities that align with strategic priorities.
• Due Diligence and Partnership Evaluation: Participate in due diligences, build a network of contacts, and evaluate potential partnerships and licensing opportunities. Support negotiations, contract drafting, and obtain internal consensus on opportunities.
• Governance and Approval Process: Support the formal governance process to seek approval for deal opportunities. Adhere to internal review guidelines to ensure quality and consistency of evaluation. Present opportunities to the leadership team for negotiation mandates.
• Project Management and Cross-functional Collaboration: Manage projects, prioritize activities, allocate resources, and adhere to timelines. Work effectively in cross-functional teams, including internal and external communications.

External relationship management

• Lead the planning and execution of external search activities.
• Represent BD function by actively participating in internal events and in external events within the BD and scientific communities (industry conferences, Partnering conferences, etc)
• Build (and maintain) network of external contacts within the Biotechnology and finance community
• Co-lead internal and external communications
• Leverage existing key contacts to generate new opportunities

Deal negotiation

• Serve as a BD expert inside and outside Roche.
• Co-Lead negotiations and contract structuring for commercial deals 
• Lead or co-lead and take part in drafting contracts 
• Ensure that all contracts and alliances are negotiated and that partnerships can be executed according to plan and mandate, and in compliance with all regulations

Project Management

• Independently manage and prioritize BD activities in accordance with strategic priorities. 
• Carry out day-to-day project management resource allocation, managing across matrixed functions, timeline adherence, internal and external communications, leading and working effectively in cross-functional teams.
• Additional duties as assigned by Roche Management

Who You Are as an Ideal Candidate 

• NQF 8 in financial, commercial and/or health sciences related field. CA advantageous
• Experience in the the pharmaceutical industry including regulations and product knowledge
• Minimum 5 years business development/finance experience
• Experience in identifying and evaluating pharmaceutical or biotech products for potential commercial deals, and participating in negotiations 
• Health systems legislation and regulations knowledge in South Africa

Recommended Knowledge, Skills or Abilities:

• Healthcare Landscape/Stakeholders, Partnership oriented mindset
• Analytical mindset, Project Management, Tender Process, Negotiation
• Strong entrepreneurial mindset with outstanding customer centricity
• Growth mindset, able to learn quickly, take risks and experiment
• Deep understanding of patient journey(s) and related Roche products 

Note that a full job description is available upon request.

Who we are

At Roche, more than 100,000 people across 100 countries are pushing back the frontiers of healthcare. Working together, we’ve become one of the world’s leading research-focused healthcare groups. Our success is built on innovation, curiosity and diversity.

Roche is an Equal Opportunity Employer.