Innovation & Partnerships Lead

Job description

At Roche you can show up as yourself, embraced for the unique qualities you bring. Our culture encourages personal expression, open dialogue, and genuine connections, where you are valued, accepted and respected for who you are, allowing you to thrive both personally and professionally. This is how we aim to prevent, stop and cure diseases and ensure everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Join Roche, where every voice matters. The Position Innovation and Partnership Lead At Roche, we believe that every patient deserves access to life-changing healthcare solutions. As the Innovation & Partnerships Lead , you will shape and deliver the affiliate’s innovation and partnership agenda to create transformative value for Roche, patients, and the Ukrainian healthcare system. Reporting directly to the General Manager and serving as a strategic catalyst across the entire Enabling Team, you will own the affiliate business innovation portfolio from concept to scale-up. This includes leading digital and AI transformations, commercial and operational models, patient ecosystem solutions, internal process optimizations, and long-term ecosystem partnerships—including key healthcare localization initiatives critical to Ukraine’s healthcare system recovery. Key Responsibilities 1. Innovation Strategy & Portfolio Management Define & Direct: Establish the affiliate innovation strategy and priorities aligned with Roche Ukraine’s strategic ambitions and broader local healthcare needs. Pipeline Governance: Own the innovation pipeline end-to-end (idea, assessment, pilot, scale-up, or stop) using a structured stage-gate governance process with regular reporting to the General Manager and Leadership Team. Digital & AI Leadership: Drive digital and AI innovation for patients, healthcare professionals (HCPs), and internal operations from initial concept through adoption. Data & Ecosystem Insights: Explore Ukraine's digital health landscape to modernize affiliate approaches to health data and patient solutions. 2. Business Model & Solution Innovation Ecosystem Solutions: Develop patient-service and ecosystem solutions that facilitate data-driven healthcare decision-making. Commercial & Operational Models: Design and pilot new commercial and operational models in collaboration with market stakeholders. Internal Transformation: Redesign internal processes, introduce automation, and cultivate an agile, innovation-first culture across the affiliate. 3. Strategic Partnerships & Localization Partnership Lifecycle: Own the full partnership cycle—identification, business case development, negotiation, governance, and impact measurement. Governmental & Institutional Alliances: Build strategic partnerships with key governmental and market bodies, including the Ministry of Health, NHSU, Medical Procurement of Ukraine, the State Service on Medicines and Drugs Control, and international organizations. Localization Initiatives: Collaborate closely with Roche Global Supply Chain, Quality, and cross-functional teams to ensure localized operational models and supply chain integrations comply with international standards. Patient Advocacy Groups (PAGs): Forge long-term alliances with key PAGs to embed the patient voice into Roche Ukraine’s vision and access strategies. 4. Leadership & Resource Management People Development: Lead, coach, and build capabilities within your team across innovation, strategic partnering, and agile project management. Resource Oversight: Direct project budgets and oversee external vendor partnerships for innovation and ecosystem initiatives. Who You Are You are a visionary leader who thrives at the intersection of healthcare, technology, and strategic partnering. You show up as yourself, bring courage and integrity, and are passionate about building a healthier future for Ukraine. Qualifications & Experience: Education: Higher education degree in Business, Economics, Life Sciences, Healthcare Administration, or a related field (Master’s degree or MBA preferred). Proven Track Record: Demonstrated experience in business development, strategic partnerships, digital health innovation, or commercial model redesign within the pharmaceutical, biotech, or healthcare ecosystem. Ecosystem Expertise: Deep understanding of the Ukrainian healthcare ecosystem, regulatory environment, and key stakeholders (MOH, NHSU, MPU, PAGs). People Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop direct reports and manage external multidisciplinary teams. Agile & Governance Skills: Proven experience managing pipeline portfolios through stage-gate models, budget management, and cross-functional project execution. Languages: Native/fluent Ukrainian and fluent professional English (written and spoken). What We Offer A high-impact strategic role directly influencing the healthcare system recovery and innovation agenda in Ukraine. An inclusive, collaborative culture where your voice matters and personal expression is encouraged. Competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and dedicated professional development opportunities within the global Roche network. Let’s build a healthier future together. Roche is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Who we are A healthier future drives us to innovate. Together, more than 100’000 employees across the globe are dedicated to advance science, ensuring everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Our efforts result in more than 26 million people treated with our medicines and over 30 billion tests conducted using our Diagnostics products. We empower each other to explore new possibilities, foster creativity, and keep our ambitions high, so we can deliver life-changing healthcare solutions that make a global impact. Let’s build a healthier future, together. Roche is an Equal Opportunity Employer.