Role overview 

This China Strategy Director position is a key role reporting to China Strategy Lead under China Strategy and BD team. The China SBD team oversees Pfizer China Strategy development and BD activities, working closely with China Regional President and all BUs / Functions in Pfizer China as well as with the Pfizer headquarter functions in the US. The China Strategy Director will closely work with China Strategy Lead to help drive Pfizer China Strategy development and transform Pfizer China from a LOE-oriented business to an innovative-focused business through identifying and assessing external and internal key trends, exploring and capturing new opportunities, implementing endorsed strategies, and innovating the commercial model.  

Many of the projects the Strategy team works on are to address ELT level and Global President level questions, involving global and local stakeholders across many different functions. The stakeholders whom this role is managing are senior leaders either from HQ or in China. The strategic projects often have consequences for both the short term and the long term, with R&D, manufacturing, and commercial investments that can extend well beyond US$100M. Besides, this role needs to work closely with China Leadership Team to develop BU strategies and drive strategic projects to capture the strategic opportunities that will enable China business to leapfrog and remove hurdles that will hinders success of China business transformation. 

One of the key metrics for evaluating the success of this role and the team is in the endorsement of these strategies and buy-up proposals by global and local cross-functional working teams, by the China leadership team, and by the Executive Leadership Team (including Pfizer CEO and Group Presidents). In all projects, there is both an upfront strategic design as well as execution component, ensuring seamless transition from strategy to execution. 

Role key responsibilities 

The China Strategy Director role is pivotal in supporting China Strategy Lead to develop all those top-notch strategies and delivering the programs. Typical projects executed by the Strategy team are wide-ranging in topics, complex and challenging in nature, and high profile / high visibility in front of the China and global leadership. They include, but are not limited to, the following:    

Pfizer China Strategy: develop holistic and long-term growth strategies to propel Pfizer China to achieve the growth aspiration and regain the leadership position under the transformational healthcare changes in China 

Portfolio strategy: Develop strategy, direction, and priorities to evolve the current Pfizer China portfolio from a LOE dominated one to an innovative-product-focused one 

Business unit strategy: Pfizer China has  transformed its organization structure and established  new franchises (BUs). Work closely with franchise GM/core teams to define the BU growth aspiration, develop BU strategy, innovate GTM model unique to each BU’s development stage in China and define growth roadmap for implementation.    

Business model strategy: The China environment has been evolving quickly in the last few years, with the rising influence of stakeholders beyond HCPs (such as patients, hospital management, medical associations, provincial and city governments, digital healthcare companies etc.). This role also needs to work very closely with Sales, Marketing, Access, Medical, Strategic Innovation to help identify and enhance current GTM model, pilot their execution and implement. 

Other Strategic Projects as per defined from the Pfizer China Strategy. E.g., Geographic expansion strategy, Early access strategy like Greater Bay Area. 

Role expectations  

In order to deliver on the above key responsibilities on a regular basis, the China Strategy Director is expected to meet the following standards and excel in the processes below:  

Strategic thinking mindset, project management and quality execution skills: Under the guidance from China Strategy Lead and SBD Lead, this role will directly manage and execute on a number of major high-priority projects each year through opportunity assessment, business valuation, implementation planning, and execution. In doing so, exercise key skills in strategic thinking, project management, communication, and analytics to push forward the recommendation process and ensure follow-on execution. Also need to ensure high deliverable quality, with professionalism, timeliness, and meeting global and local leadership expectations. Continuously engage with senior leaders to align on overall direction, outputs, and future implications / next steps. 

China leadership team & cross-functional engagement, alignment and resources management: able to effectively manage communication and build alignment on strategic priorities and implementation. Besides, due to the cross-functional nature of the Strategy team’s work, ensure a high degree of cross-functional communication, inputs gathering and alignment. This includes Sales, Marketing, Medical, Finance, GMC, GCO, Legal, Compliance and HR etc., both in HQ and local 

Potential to be seen as a functional expert: This China Strategy Director shall have a good understanding on China overall healthcare and pharmaceutical market trends, backed by a deep and robust understanding of the business drivers for Pfizer China. 

Qualifications 

At least 10+ years of functional experiences in corporate strategy, management consulting, operations, marketing, business development, or equivalent. 

Pharmaceutical / biotech industry experience required, with in-depth knowledge about the China pharmaceutical market.  

Highly strategic mindset, with ability to connect the dots 

Outstanding quantitative and analytical skills, including solid analytics, ability to tell a compelling story, deck preparation, and matching the bigger picture into detailed strategic plans.  

Superb ability to engage senior leaders and cross-functional colleagues and build alignment to deliver results in a matrix organization. This includes to advice and influence senior leaders both in China and globally.  

Track record of success and impact in business managed or projects delivered. Must have experience of developing, executing on winning business proposals, with concrete value identified by senior management.  

People management skill & track records of maintaining high-performing team required, either in a solid reporting structure, or in a virtual reporting structure. 

Top-notch skills required: Leadership, communication, ability to influence, strategic thinking, project management, problem solving, business acumen, innovativeness and creativity, analytical skills, interpersonal skills, teamwork, risk-taking, and flexibility operating in ambiguous and changing environment.  

Postgraduate or MBA qualification in Strategy, Finance, Marketing or health-related disciplines required. 

Excellent both English and Mandarin Chinese skills required.