Emilie Batilliot (EXEC ED 2011): Going back to school as a stepping stone to a sales management position at Ipsen
When she decided to leave her career as an orthoptist, Emilie Batilliot knew that her career change would require her to return to school. The MBA in Healthcare Marketing and Communication provided her with the skills, network, and initial experience that would launch her career in the pharmaceutical industry.
Winner of the Alumni Executive Education Award at the 2026 De Vinci Alumni Awards, Emilie Batilliot shares the journey that led her to the position of Head of Oncology Sales for France at Ipsen.
A Methodical Career Change
After her first year of medical school, Emilie Batilliot decided to train as an orthoptist. She worked for two years in an ophthalmology department—an initial experience that confirmed her interest in the healthcare field. Very quickly, however, she began to seek an environment offering greater opportunities for growth and where she could combine science, strategy, and interpersonal skills. It soon became clear to her that the pharmaceutical industry would allow her to combine her two main interests: healthcare and business.
She methodically planned her career transition. She earned a bachelor’s degree and then a master’s degree in Health Biology, with a specialization in immunology. Her goal was clear: to strengthen her scientific foundation before acquiring the marketing skills essential for entering the pharmaceutical industry.
With this in mind, she went on to enroll in the MBA in Healthcare Marketing and Communication at De Vinci Executive Education, which was then ranked among the best programs in the sector.
A program designed to accelerate careers
The MBA immediately meets her expectations. Class sizes are limited to fewer than twenty students, the student body is diverse, and courses are taught by practicing professionals. Students work on numerous projects, gain insight into the realities of the pharmaceutical industry, and quickly build their professional networks.
It was an intense program, with many projects to complete. But it really prepared us to enter the industry.
She also has fond memories of the study trip to Brussels, which included visits to European institutions and discussions on public health issues. For her, this immersion served as a real catalyst.
The program opened the doors to a world we hadn’t yet explored.
The highlight of the MBA is the capstone internship. Emilie joined Amgen as a Junior Product Manager in oncology. She describes this first experience as “a wonderful gateway” into the pharmaceutical industry, and it would be the starting point for many inspiring encounters.
The highlight of the MBA program is the capstone internship. Emilie joined Amgen as a Junior Product Manager in oncology. She describes this first experience as “a wonderful gateway” into the pharmaceutical industry, and it would serve as the starting point for many inspiring encounters.
This degree was a real stepping stone. It allowed me to land that first opportunity, which launched my entire career.
After this experience, her career took off. For about ten years, she held marketing roles at several major players in the sector, including Biogen, Sanofi, and Merck, where she became Head of Marketing for Neurology and Immunology in France. She led product launches, brand strategies, and high-stakes projects—both operational and strategic.
Continuing to Challenge Herself
After ten years in marketing, Emilie felt a renewed desire for change.
“After holding marketing roles across all stages of the LCM and developing my skills in headquarters team management, I was eager to have even more direct contact with healthcare professionals and to take on the challenge of managing and developing large field teams. ”
She therefore decided to move into sales, first as Regional Director at Organon, then as Sales Director at Syneos Health for Idorsia, before joining Ipsen.
Today, she leads oncology sales for France. At the helm of a team of about 50 employees, including six area managers, she oversees two networks dedicated to treatments for prostate and kidney cancers.
A role where she once again gets to apply the skills that drive her every day: leadership, management, and coaching.
“I approach sales the same way I approached marketing—and vice versa: I focus on the business and the impact on patients. In sales, you can see the results of your decisions very quickly. That’s what still excites me today. ”
Her journey reminds us that returning to school isn’t just a way to acquire new skills. It’s also an opportunity to give your career a new direction, to dare to make a change, and to create new professional prospects for yourself.
I am very grateful for this program. It fully lived up to its promise: it enabled me to bring my career goals to life. It’s a demanding, highly stimulating program that serves as a true gateway to the pharmaceutical industry.
📌 Find all the information here about the MBAs offered by De Vinci Executive Education
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