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Home Jobs Nairobi Kenya Country Operations Director

Kenya Country Operations Director

Johnson & Johnson  · Healthcare / Medical

Full Time Nairobi
Nairobi
Deadline: 21 August 2026
Posted May 22, 2026

Purpose:

The Country Manager for Kenya will spearhead the achievement of business objectives and accelerate growth within the country by:

We aim to drive sustained revenue growth within our existing portfolio, with particular emphasis on the oncology, mental health, and immunology sectors.

Securing reimbursement from relevant bodies to fund our innovation initiatives is essential.

We will oversee the implementation of the Mental Health project, sharing leadership responsibilities to ensure its successful delivery.

We are excited to unveil our groundbreaking new portfolio initiative.

We oversee our strategic partnerships with distributors in Kenya to enhance our market presence and achieve business growth. This role involves fostering strong relationships, ensuring operational efficiency, and aligning their efforts with our organizational objectives to maximize impact and profitability.

To achieve this, we will prioritize cultivating a strong, positive local company image while ensuring strict adherence to all applicable local laws and regulations. Collaboration with internal teams and external stakeholders will be essential to foster mutually beneficial partnerships, thereby enhancing our credibility and reputation within the community.

Conducts essential duties and fulfills key responsibilities, including:

Achieving tangible local business outcomes involves effective collaboration with distributors and relevant stakeholders as needed.

Establishing country-level sales objectives involves developing forecasts, growth targets, and market share goals, tailored to the portfolio’s potential, product lifecycle stages, and regional strategic priorities.

Develop and manage financial plans while ensuring optimal allocation and utilization of resources.

Evaluate and authorize all initiatives undertaken by the sales, medical, regulatory, marketing, and market access teams.

To drive sustained sales growth within our existing portfolio—particularly in oncology, mental health, and immunology—this role involves strategically allocating resources, tracking stock levels across the value chain, coordinating with distributors, and ensuring accurate reporting and alignment with organizational goals.

We are introducing our groundbreaking new portfolio, with initiatives underway for key products, encompassing regulatory submissions, market access strategies, tender negotiations and submissions, and tailored medical education initiatives as necessary.

Conduct a thorough examination of locally collected data to pinpoint potential opportunities and risks embedded in existing strategies, facilitating timely insights and the formulation of proactive corrective actions.

We are seeking a dedicated professional to spearhead our mental health initiatives, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for all employees. In this pivotal role, you will develop and implement comprehensive mental health programs, ensuring accessibility to resources such as counseling services, wellness workshops, and resilience training. Your responsibilities will include collaborating with leadership to integrate mental health awareness into company culture, conducting assessments to identify areas for improvement, and measuring the impact of initiatives through data-driven insights. Additionally, you will serve as a trusted advocate for mental well-being, providing guidance to employees and driving policies that prioritize psychological safety. A background in psychology, social work, or a related field is essential, along with strong interpersonal skills and a passion for promoting mental health advocacy.

To ensure adherence to established business objectives, meticulous focus must be maintained on J&J guidelines, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and applicable local laws and regulations throughout the execution of all tasks.

Professional Rewriting:
Fostering the growth of the regional office and providing leadership and mentorship to the team

The role involves establishing the local working environment and driving the various functions to foster a Johnson & Johnson mindset.

Identify, cultivate, and maintain top-tier talent to ensure a robust pipeline for future leadership roles.

To foster cohesive collaboration across all departments and individuals, while inspiring the team to meet the country-specific objectives, is essential. Cultivating a unified direction and driving collective motivation are key responsibilities in this role.

Exemplify leadership through action by setting a positive example and demonstrating the behaviors expected of others.

Enhancing the local perception and standing of Johnson & Johnson forms a core component of this role, as we focus on cultivating and reinforcing the company’s image and reputation within the community.

Maintain and cultivate strategic alliances with key market stakeholders, including Key Opinion Leaders (Vols), governmental entities, and pharmaceutical associations.

Duties involve ensuring compliance with pharmaceutical regulations and other related obligations.

Ensure full adherence to all applicable local regulations, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (CPA), Healthcare Business Integrity (CBI) guidelines, and the Policy on Business Conduct (PBC) at all times.

Ensure ongoing preparedness for inspections by maintaining strict adherence to personal training requirements and promptly providing an up-to-date curriculum vitae along with a tailored job description.

Professional Version:
It is essential to thoroughly comprehend and effectively manage HCC and legal requirements, including Fair Market Value, Transfer of Value rules, and Promotional Materials rules, throughout all stages of project planning, material development, and execution. Additionally, any relevant EMEA-generated promotional materials must be locally adapted as necessary prior to launch.

Ensure adverse events and product quality complaints are reported promptly in accordance with J&J pharmacovigilance guidelines.

Ensure compliance with safety reporting obligations, specifically the timely submission of adverse events (AE) and product quality complaints (PQC), in accordance with established company policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), throughout all phases of project planning, material development, project execution, and vendor contracting.

Internal interactions involve collaborating with various teams and departments to ensure seamless communication and alignment with organizational goals. Key responsibilities include participating in cross-functional meetings, providing updates on project statuses, and addressing interdepartmental inquiries promptly. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential to foster productive relationships and resolve conflicts efficiently. Additionally, the role requires maintaining professionalism while interfacing with colleagues at all levels to drive collaborative initiatives and enhance overall operational efficiency.

All operational responsibilities are executed both locally and regionally, encompassing medical, regulatory, sales, supply chain, finance, human resources, Talk, and general administration teams.

Other senior regional leadership roles, such as those in regulatory affairs, medical affairs, human capital, quality assurance, finance, country management, and information technology, play a pivotal role in driving organizational success across diverse markets.

We engage with external stakeholders on a regular basis, including clients, partners, and regulatory bodies, to ensure seamless communication and alignment with business objectives. This role requires strong interpersonal skills and the ability to represent the organization professionally in all external engagements. Key responsibilities include negotiating agreements, addressing inquiries, and fostering long-term relationships to support organizational growth and compliance.

Highly influential professionals in their respective fields, Key Opinion Leaders are tasked with evaluating and endorsing products or services, providing expert insights based on their deep knowledge and credibility. They engage with brands to offer strategic guidance, share authentic feedback, and create compelling content that resonates with their audience. Through speaking engagements, social media presence, or written publications, they amplify brand messages while maintaining trust and independence, ensuring recommendations align with their professional standards. This role frequently requires a proven track record in their industry, strong communication skills, and the ability to inspire and persuade diverse stakeholders.

Medical organizations seek professionals to lead initiatives that enhance member engagement, develop educational resources, and advocate for industry standards. Candidates should possess a degree in healthcare administration, public health, or a related field, along with at least five years of experience in association management, medical education, or advocacy. Strong leadership, strategic planning, and stakeholder collaboration skills are essential, as are proficiency in data analysis and communication. Responsibilities include overseeing program development, managing member relations, and representing the organization in policy discussions.

Responsible for managing the distribution of products from manufacturers to retailers or end-users, ensuring timely and accurate delivery while maintaining strong relationships with clients and partners. Oversees inventory levels, coordinates logistics, and resolves any supply chain issues that may arise. Requires excellent organizational and communication skills, along with proficiency in inventory management systems and a thorough understanding of shipping regulations. Must be able to analyze market trends to optimize distribution strategies and ensure customer satisfaction.

Governmental agencies seek accomplished professionals with expertise in regulatory compliance, policy analysis, and public administration to support critical functions such as program oversight, legislative interpretation, and stakeholder engagement. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in legal frameworks, data management, and strategic planning, alongside strong interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with diverse teams and external partners. A minimum of five years of relevant experience, a bachelor’s degree in public administration, political science, or a related discipline, and familiarity with government operations are typically required. Responsibilities include drafting reports, conducting research, implementing policies, and ensuring adherence to federal, state, or local regulations.

Proficient understanding of [industry-specific knowledge or tools] is required, along with the ability to apply analytical reasoning to solve complex problems. Candidates must demonstrate strong communication skills, both written and verbal, to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams. Familiarity with [specific software, methodologies, or frameworks] is highly desirable, as is experience in [relevant industry or task]. The ideal applicant will possess organizational skills to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines while maintaining attention to detail. A commitment to continuous learning and adaptability in evolving environments is also essential.

A bachelor’s degree or higher is required, with a preference for candidates holding an advanced degree—such as an MBA or a degree in the life sciences.

With a minimum of seven to ten years of progressively responsible commercial experience, preferably within the pharmaceutical sector, candidates should demonstrate a strong track record in the field.

Proficiency in international job experience and/or education is highly advantageous.

Proficient command of English and at least one local language, such as Swahili, is essential for this role.

Professionals should possess extensive expertise in operating within complex, matrixed organizational structures and collaborating effectively across multifunctional teams.

Demonstrated experience in overseeing teams and guiding their performance, along with a proven track record in leadership roles.

Proficiency in forecasting methodologies and budget management is required, encompassing the development and analysis of financial projections and resource allocation strategies.

With a proactive and entrepreneurial mindset, candidates should demonstrate strong initiative and exceptional problem-solving abilities.

Demonstrated capability to effectively organize and prioritize individual tasks ensures adherence to established quality benchmarks and timely project completion.

Proficient in conveying ideas clearly and persuasively through both written correspondence and oral delivery are essential. The ability to articulate information effectively in diverse formats and engage audiences with compelling presentations is required.

Seeking an opportunity to contribute as part of a tightly-knit, high-performing collaborative team that values synergy and shared success.

Professionals should demonstrate behaviors consistent with the J&J Global Leadership Profile, encompassing integrity-driven actions rooted in the Credo, a strong commitment to collaboration and teamwork, a proactive sense of urgency, a results-oriented mindset, and a dedication to fostering diversity and inclusion.

Essential skills and qualifications for this position include:

We seek individuals with a proactive, results-driven approach and a strong entrepreneurial spirit, evidenced by a track record of success and a commitment to continuous improvement. Candidates must demonstrate resilience, adaptability, and the ability to take initiative in dynamic environments. The ideal applicant will possess a clear vision for growth, coupled with the drive to turn ideas into actionable strategies. Prior experience in driving projects, overcoming challenges, and delivering measurable outcomes is highly valued. Strong problem-solving skills and the capacity to inspire others are essential for thriving in this role.

Responsible for overseeing team operations, fostering talent growth, and implementing strategies to enhance individual and collective performance. This includes identifying skill gaps, providing mentorship, and creating opportunities for professional advancement. Additionally, the role involves evaluating team dynamics to ensure alignment with organizational goals and facilitating career progression through targeted development plans.

Proficient in delivering clear, compelling messages through both spoken and written formats, with a strong command of verbal articulation and written expression.

Demonstrates exceptional ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders across diverse settings. Exhibits strong empathy, active listening, and conflict resolution capabilities to foster productive relationships. Reliably maintains professionalism and composure in high-pressure situations, ensuring clear and respectful interactions at all times.

Accomplished at cultivating and sustaining productive stakeholder alliances and fostering enduring customer connections.

Managing and navigating intricate tasks and multifaceted challenges with precision and adaptability is a core responsibility. This role demands the ability to analyze and synthesize diverse information sources while maintaining a clear focus on strategic objectives. Candidates must demonstrate strong problem-solving skills, the capacity to prioritize effectively under pressure, and a commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes in dynamic environments. Proficiency in organizing workflows, anticipating potential obstacles, and implementing structured solutions is essential for success in this position.

A strong commitment to ethical business practices and maintaining the highest standards of integrity is essential.

Proficient in both English and Swahili, the selected candidate must demonstrate fluency in both languages.

Qualifications

BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA

Experience Required

7 - 10 years

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