Job Description

Associate Director Cardiometabolic Marketing

This is a unique opportunity to redefine pharmaceutical marketing in South Africa. We're not looking for traditional pharma thinking – we're building something different. As we expand our cardiometabolic portfolio, you'll lead strategies that challenge convention, break through in a competitive market, and position Novo Nordisk as the clear leader in cardiometabolic care. If you're ready to bring bold FMCG-style thinking to healthcare marketing while navigating the unique constraints of pharma, this role is for you.

Your new role

You'll be leading a high-performing team of 7-8 marketing professionals to develop and execute breakthrough cardiometabolic marketing strategies that differentiate us from competitors in the market. Working closely with a passionate leadership team of 9 team members based in our South African office, you'll operate as one united team with an ambitious, can-do mindset.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Designing and implementing innovative marketing plans that support our cardiometabolic product growth and brand positioning, including the exciting launch of Wegovy
• Leading cross-functional collaboration across Sales, Medical, Market Access and other commercial teams to ensure cohesive campaign execution that delivers results
• Leveraging advanced data analytics and digital media to identify emerging market trends, consumer behaviours, and opportunities to outmaneuver the competition
• Overseeing the creation of compliant, high-impact promotional materials and pioneering creative campaigns that enhance brand visibility
• Driving product performance through strategic P&L management, monitoring profitability and ROI while adjusting tactics to optimize financial outcomes
• Building strategic partnerships and exploring innovative go-to-market approaches that work within pharmaceutical regulations but think beyond traditional pharma constraints
• Managing pricing strategies, product launches, and the full marketing mix to maximize market share and establish clear differentiation in the cardiometabolic space

Your new department

As part of International Operations, you will join our largest operational unit. Covering 194 countries, more than 18,000 of us work passionately to serve millions of patients each day. With a promise to outperform the competition, we continue to be the growth driver for Novo Nordisk, and to improve health at scale across the globe.

You'll be joining our South African commercial team at a pivotal moment. We're operating with a new mindset – thinking about pharma and Novo Nordisk in fresh ways, working as one ambitious team, and bringing solutions that others haven't imagined yet. Your role will be instrumental in successfully establishing our cardiometabolic leadership locally while contributing to our broader International Operations success story.

Your skills & qualifications

We're searching for someone who brings passion, learning agility, and a can-do attitude. You don't need a traditional pharma background – in fact you can also come with fresh perspectives outside pharma.

What you do need is:

• Minimum a Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or related field
• 8-10 years of experience in brand marketing within FMCG, consumer, aesthetic, dermatology, or pharmaceutical sectors
• Minimum 5 years in senior leadership positions with a proven track record of leading teams and delivering strategic business results
• Demonstrated success in developing innovative marketing strategies, overseeing product development, executing advertising campaigns, and conducting market analysis
• Strong data-driven decision-making skills with the ability to interpret sales data, customer feedback, and performance metrics to adapt strategies quickly
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement abilities – you'll be working with retail and channel partners, healthcare professionals, media partners, and cross-functional internal teams
• A mindset that's adaptable, sees opportunities, open to new approaches and solution-oriented

Working at Novo Nordisk

Every day we seek the solutions that defeat serious chronic diseases. To do this, we approach our work with determination, constant curiosity and a commitment to finding better ways forward. For over 100 years, this dedication has driven us to build a company focused on lasting change for long-term health. One where diverse thinking, shared purpose and mutual respect come together to create extraordinary results. In South Africa, we're on an exciting transformation journey – expanding our cardiometabolic portfolio and challenging ourselves to think differently about how we bring life-changing treatments to patients. When you join us, you're not just starting a job – you're becoming part of a story that’s writing the next chapter of our success in cardiometabolic care.

Deadline

Deadline for sending your application is March 18. We look forward to receiving your application.

We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.

At Novo Nordisk, we're not chasing quick fixes – we're creating lasting change for long-term health. For over 100 years, we've been driven by a single purpose: to defeat serious chronic diseases and help millions of people live healthier lives. This dedication fuels our constant curiosity and inspires us to push the boundaries of what's possible in healthcare. We embrace diverse perspectives, seek out bold ideas, and build partnerships rooted in shared purpose. Together, we're making healthcare more accessible, treating and preventing diseases, and pioneering solutions that create change spanning generations. When you join us, you become part of something bigger – a legacy of impact that reaches far beyond today.