Head of Medical Affairs (Rheumatology)
Position Summary
The Head of Medical Affairs will lead the strategic and operational direction of Medical Affairs for a fast-growing, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company focused on regenerative medicine and therapies for rheumatic disorders. This role will be responsible for building and scaling a high-performing Medical Affairs function, driving scientific engagement, and ensuring the effective communication of clinical and real-world evidence to external stakeholders.
The role requires a seasoned medical leader who can operate at both a strategic and hands-on level, partnering cross-functionally to support product commercialization, lifecycle management, and pipeline advancement.
Key Responsibilities
Medical Affairs Leadership & Strategy
- Define and execute the global Medical Affairs strategy aligned with corporate and commercial objectives
- Build, lead, and develop a high-performing Medical Affairs team, including MSLs and medical directors
- Establish Medical Affairs infrastructure, processes, and performance metrics
Scientific Engagement & External Leadership
- Serve as the senior scientific leader engaging key opinion leaders (KOLs), investigators, and healthcare providers
- Oversee KOL engagement strategy, advisory boards, and scientific exchange activities
- Represent the company at major congresses, symposia, and scientific forums
Evidence Generation & Data Strategy
- Lead the development and execution of evidence generation plans, including clinical, real-world, and health economics outcomes research (HEOR)
- Oversee investigator-initiated studies (IIS), registries, and post-marketing studies
- Ensure timely dissemination of scientific data through publications, presentations, and medical education
Product Support & Lifecycle Management
- Provide medical leadership across product lifecycle stages, including launch readiness and post-launch optimization
- Partner with Clinical Development on pipeline strategy and trial design
- Support development of medical materials and ensure scientific accuracy and compliance
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner closely with Commercial, Market Access, Regulatory, and R&D teams (ensuring appropriate compliance boundaries)
- Provide medical input into brand strategy, payer value propositions, and external communications
- Act as a key member of the senior leadership team, contributing to business strategy and decision-making
Compliance & Governance
- Ensure all Medical Affairs activities adhere to regulatory, legal, and ethical standards
- Establish and maintain SOPs and governance frameworks for medical activities
- Serve as a key point of accountability for medical compliance and risk management
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