Business Unit Director (all genders) Companion Animal
Job Description
Join a purpose-driven organization shaping the future of Animal Health. As Business Unit Director (m/f/d) Germany & Austria, you will lead a high-performing team, drive commercial excellence, and define strategies that elevate our market presence in an evolving, opportunity-rich landscape.
This role can be based anywhere in Germany.
As a visionary leader, you will articulate and communicate a clear and compelling sense of purpose. You will look beyond the present, inspire optimism, set meaningful milestones, and motivate the organisation to unite behind a shared vision.
Why This Role Matters
Animal Health is undergoing rapid transformation with changes in digitalization, customer expectations, scientific innovation and sustainability. Your leadership will help navigate these shifts and create real impact for customers, partners, employees and the broader ecosystem.
What You’ll Lead & Shape
Empower & Inspire People
Lead and inspire a diverse commercial and marketing organization
Cultivate a culture of collaboration, trust and shared purpose
Accelerate talent growth, leadership capability and team development
Strengthen Key Account Management and cross-functional alignment
Drive Growth & Transformation
Own full P&L responsibility and deliver ambitious commercial results
Shape and execute a dynamic strategy for sustainable, accelerated growth
Identify new market opportunities and champion innovative business models
Turn insights into actions that expand our market footprint and competitive advantage
Advance Field Force Effectiveness by enabling capability development, performance clarity and customer-focused execution
Elevate Customer Experience
Champion a customer-centric mindset across all functions
Build trusted relationships with customers, distribution partners, KOLs, and strategic stakeholders
Deliver modern omnichannel engagement powered by data and digital tools
Anticipate customer and market needs to drive loyalty and differentiation
Enhance Field Force Effectiveness to ensure meaningful, consistent and value-driven customer engagement across all touchpoints
Lead with Integrity & Excellence
Ensure the highest standards of compliance, quality, and ethical leadership
Strengthen commercial excellence across pricing, processes, and execution
Leverage analytics and digital tools to accelerate performance and decision-making
Drive Field Force Excellence by optimizing structures, performance routines, and data-driven action planning
What You Bring
Required
Degree in Health Sciences/Veterinary Science or Business/Finance, ideally with a postgraduate degree (e.g., MBA)
10+ years of senior leadership experience with significant P&L responsibility, at least 3+ years as Business Unit Director or similar roles
Strong track record in leading large, multi-layered teams in a complex matrix environment
A proven track record of inspirational and transformational leadership, building and leading high-performing teams from different countries and business backgrounds
Significant Marketing & Commercial experience within the German healthcare, pharmaceutical, nutrition, FMCG or related industries
Expertise in developing talent, inspiring teams, and driving transformation
Strategic, customer centric mindset with strong influencing capabilities
High integrity, accountability, and passion for innovation
Willingness to travel (approx. 30–40%)
Fluent in English and German
Preferred
• Deep industry knowledge and familiarity with the Animal Health sector
Our Benefits
Flexible working hours
Attractive compensation package (13 monthly salaries plus target cash and share bonus)
Company pension scheme
Holiday allowance
30 days annual leave
Company car
Our Animal Health division is a global leader in veterinary medicine and digital solutions dedicated to the health and well-being of animals and the people who care for them. We are a global team of professionals working together to make a positive difference in animal health and well-being and supporting a safe food supply. Through our commitment to the Science of Healthier Animals®, we offer one of our industry’s most innovative portfolio of pharmaceuticals, vaccines and digital health management solutions including traceability and monitoring products that serve to prevent, treat, and control diseases across all major farm and companion animal species.
People with severe disabilities and their equivalents will be given preference if they are equally qualified.
Required Skills:
Accountability, Accountability, Business Administration, Business Strategies, Capability Development, Client-Centric, Commercial Effectiveness, Commercial Excellence, Commercial Sales, Customer Engagement, Digital Marketing, Digital Transformation, Disease Prevention, Leadership, Market Access Strategies, Marketing, Marketing Effectiveness, Market Research, Oncology Marketing, People Leadership, Profit and Loss (P&L) Management, Relationship Building, Sales Force Effectiveness, Standards Compliance, Strategy Implementation {+ 5 more}Preferred Skills:
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Employee Status:
RegularRelocation:
VISA Sponsorship:
Travel Requirements:
Flexible Work Arrangements:
HybridShift:
Valid Driving License:
Hazardous Material(s):
Job Posting End Date:
08/19/2026*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.