Head of Vaccines, India

Job title: Head of Vaccines, India

• Location: Mumbai

About the Team

The Vaccines Business Unit operates through a strategic partnership model in India, leveraging local expertise to deliver Sanofi's innovative vaccine portfolio. We combine global vaccine innovation with local market knowledge to navigate India's complex healthcare landscape, ensuring access to life-saving vaccines. Our team plays a critical role in advancing public health outcomes while driving sustainable business growth through strategic partnerships and government engagement in one of the world's most important vaccine markets.

Position Overview

Lead the strategic direction and operational excellence of Sanofi's Vaccines business across India through comprehensive partnership management, government engagement, and commercial strategy execution. This role is instrumental in delivering ambitious revenue targets while maintaining healthy BOI through strategic alliance management, successful product launches, and effective government tender negotiations. You will spearhead the transformation of vaccine access in India while ensuring business continuity and growth in a partnership-driven commercial model.

Key Responsibilities

The Head of Vaccines - India at Sanofi is responsible for executing comprehensive commercial strategies through strategic partnerships to maximize growth and market penetration of Sanofi's vaccine portfolio. This role requires strategic leadership in alliance management, government relations, and business performance optimization while ensuring sustainable patient access to innovative vaccines across India's diverse healthcare landscape.

Strategic Partnership & Alliance Management

• Lead comprehensive partnership strategy execution for vaccine portfolio across India

• Drive alliance management with existing partners to ensure optimal execution of customer-facing activities aligned with MCO strategy

• Identify, evaluate, and finalize appropriate partners for new product launches as per the requirement

·       Lead complex negotiations with alliance partners to establish commercial terms and conditions that maximize value while ensuring equitable risk-reward distribution

• Monitor and optimize partner performance to deliver P&L targets and grow top line while maintaining healthy BOI through strategic resource allocation

• Develop and implement partnership governance frameworks ensuring seamless collaboration and performance accountability

• Drive continuous improvement in partnership management processes and capabilities to enhance efficiency and effectiveness

• Establish robust partner evaluation criteria and due diligence processes for future alliance opportunities

Government Relations & Tender Management

• Lead strategic negotiations with Government of India on current and future IPV tenders, including comprehensive issues management

• Develop and execute government engagement strategies to secure optimal tender outcomes and sustainable pricing frameworks

• Navigate complex regulatory landscape and policy environment to ensure favorable conditions for vaccine access and business sustainability

• Drive policy advocacy initiatives to support vaccine access, immunization programs, and public health outcomes

• Manage crisis communication and stakeholder engagement during supply disruptions or policy changes

• Ensure compliance with government regulations, tender requirements, and public health guidelines

• Lead cross-functional teams in tender preparation, submission, and post-award implementation

Business Strategy & Portfolio Management

• Execute comprehensive business strategy for vaccine portfolio aligned with MCO objectives and India for India growth strategy

• Lead portfolio optimization strategies to maximize market penetration across private and public segments

• Accelerate New Product Planning activities in close collaboration with Medical and Regulatory teams for successful launches

• Identify and capitalize on emerging market opportunities in vaccine space including digital health integration

• Develop and implement long-term strategic plans with clear milestones and performance indicator

• Drive evidence-based decision making through market intelligence and competitive analysis

• Evaluate investment opportunities, conduct scenario planning, and recommend portfolio adjustments based on market dynamics

• Ensure optimal resource allocation across partnership activities, government engagement, and market access initiatives

Organizational Leadership & Development

• Build and lead high-performing, lean teams aligned with MCO blueprint

• Create inclusive environment promoting diversity and equal opportunities

• Develop succession planning and talent retention strategies for critical roles

• Foster people engagement and continuously develop team talents and capabilities

Cross-functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Management

• Collaborate seamlessly with MCO strategies, pricing teams, and franchise teams through prior business case alignment

• Partner with Medical Affairs on scientific strategy and evidence generation for vaccine portfolio

• Work with Regulatory Affairs to ensure timely approvals and compliance management

• Coordinate with Global Vaccines teams on best practice sharing and strategic alignment

• Foster people engagement and continuously develop team talents and capabilities

About you

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Medicine, Pharmacy

• Foster people engagement and continuously develop team talents and capabilities

Experience

• 10-12 years of progressive experience in pharmaceutical/vaccine industry with significant exposure to vaccines or biologics

• Minimum 6-8 years in leadership roles with P&L responsibility and complex stakeholder management

• Proven track record of managing commercial or marketing activities with accountability for results delivery at local or global level

• Demonstrated experience in alliance management, partnership development, and complex negotiations

• Foster people engagement and continuously develop team talents and capabilities

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of Indian healthcare policy landscape, immunization programs, and regulatory environment

• Previous experience in partnership-driven business models and alliance management

• Understanding of vaccine cold chain, distribution, and quality management systems

Core Competencies & Skills

Technical Skills

• Strategic business planning and execution for vaccine/biologics portfolios

• Deep understanding of vaccine landscape, immunization programs, and public health policies

• Alliance management and partnership development expertise

Functional Competencies

• Leadership and team management in complex, matrixed organizations

• Strategic stakeholder engagement and relationship management with government and partners

• Commercial excellence and market access strategy development

• Cross-functional collaboration and project management in pharmaceutical environment

• Crisis management and business continuity planning

Leadership & Interpersonal Skills

• Transformative leadership with ability to inspire and engage teams

• Strong negotiation and influencing skills for complex stakeholder environments

• Excellent communication and presentation skills for diverse audiences

• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work across diverse regional contexts

Personal Attributes

• Results-oriented with strong execution focus and accountability mindset

• Strategic thinking combined with operational excellence

• High ethical standards and integrity in all business dealings

Key Stakeholders

Internal Stakeholders

• MCO Vaccines Leadership Team

• India Country Leadership Team

• Global Vaccines Franchise Teams

• Medical Affairs and Regulatory Affairs (Vaccines)

• Supply Chain and Commercial Operations

• Legal and Compliance Teams

External Stakeholders

• Government of India (Ministry of Health, NTAGI, State Health Departments)

• Alliance Partners and Distribution Partners

• Healthcare Professionals

• Key Opinion Leaders in Vaccines and Public Health

 Why choose us? 

• Bring the miracles of science to life alongside a supportive, future-focused team. 

• Be a part of a dynamic and collaborative global team, influencing and shaping recruitment and sourcing strategies across the organization. 

• Drive innovation and implement cutting-edge recruitment and sourcing technologies/ methodologies to attract top talent in a competitive market. 

• Make a real impact on Sanofi's mission by connecting the best talent with opportunities to improve people's lives. 

Pursue Progress. Discover Extraordinary. 

Progress doesn’t happen without people – people from different backgrounds, in different locations, doing different roles, all united by one thing: a desire to make miracles happen. You