Portfolio Management & LCM Lead, Commercial Portfolio Unit

About the role

The Portfolio Management & LCM Lead works in the Commercial Portfolio Unit at Novartis's NPKK head office in Toranomon, Tokyo. The role executes portfolio and late-lifecycle management for assigned mature and non-priority brands, ensuring disciplined budgeting, performance monitoring and operational continuity. It suits a marketing leader in a small revenue organization or an experienced manager of marketing sub-functions.

Key responsibilities

• Analyse portfolio and brand performance using market forecasts, financial data and competitive intelligence, and develop strategic options (invest, optimize, simplify, exit) with quantified impacts.
• Drive late-lifecycle initiatives such as SKU rationalization, pack optimization and cost-to-serve improvements, aligned with country commercial strategy.
• Collaborate with Digital Marketing Execution and Commercial Partnerships & Alliances, and lead the transition of brands from Therapeutic Areas into the Commercial Portfolio, coordinating handovers of budgets, forecasts, data and materials.
• Support budgeting and forecasting, monitor performance against targets, identify risks and opportunities and contribute to portfolio reviews and governance forums.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and provide guidance without formal people management responsibility.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, science or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Business-level English and native-level Japanese.
• 7 to 10 years of commercial or marketing experience in the pharmaceutical or medical device industry.
• Experience managing brands across the full product lifecycle, including mature and late-stage phases, and leading portfolio-level strategy.
• Experience collaborating with Therapeutic Areas, Finance, Digital, Medical and other partners.

Required skills

• Product lifecycle management and product marketing
• Asset management and commercial excellence
• Use of analytics, market forecasts and financial insights to support portfolio decisions