Head of Medical Rare Diseases

Job description

About us We are a multinational pharmaceutical company with more than 80 years of experience, offering innovative solutions to improve people's quality of life. Our headquarters are in Parma (Italy), we operate in 26 countries and export to a total of 70. We have been in Spain since 1995, with a team of more than 280 highly trained, equipped and motivated people to provide a valuable service to our clients. We are committed to achieving results with integrity, working responsibly with the environment and with society. We firmly believe that people are the key factor for our present and future success, with an unequivocal commitment to generating a work culture that enhances their talent. Mission Lead the medical strategy for the Rare Diseases unit in Iberia (Spain and Portugal), ensuring scientific excellence, evidence generation, and integration of the patient perspective throughout the product lifecycle. Act as a strategic business partner, aligned with the global strategy, contributing to maximizing access, clinical value, and patient impact through close cross-functional collaboration. The role combines team leadership (3 MSLs and 2 Medical Advisors), strategic vision, health value generation, and high-level scientific representation. Key Responsabilities and Functions 1. Medical Strategic Leadership • Define and lead the Rare Diseases medical strategy in Iberia aligned with the global strategy. • Ensure integration of the medical strategy within Integrated Brand Plans and launch plans. • Contribute as a key member of the Business Unit Leadership Team. • Identify portfolio growth opportunities and new indications (lifecycle management). 2. Oversight of Evidence Generation and Medical Value • Define and execute the evidence generation strategy (RWE, clinical studies, HEOR). • Drive the publication and scientific communication plan (congresses, articles). • Ensure the availability of strong scientific arguments for access and positioning. • Promote the incorporation of external insights to identify unmet medical needs 3. Access and Cross-functional Collaboration • Collaborate closely with Market Access and Pricing in building value propositions and dossiers. • Participate in negotiation and positioning processes with health authorities. • Work with Marketing and Commercial teams ensuring appropriate and compliant use of scientific content. 4. Patient Focus and Ecosystem • Lead the patient engagement and patient advocacy strategy in Rare Diseases. • Establish strategic collaborations with patient associations and integrate their voice into the overall strategy. • Co-develop high-value patient support programs (PSPs). 5. External Stakeholder Engagement • Lead the development of relationships between the medical team and KOLs, scientific societies, and reference centers. • Represent the company in scientific forums and international meetings. • Facilitate high-level scientific exchange. 6. Team Leadership • Lead, develop, and evaluate the team of MSLs and Medical Advisors. • Ensure excellence in execution of territorial plans and scientific engagement. • Foster a culture of high performance, collaboration, and continuous development 7. Scientific Excellence and Compliance • Ensure quality, scientific rigor, and regulatory compliance in all activities. • Oversee proper management of medical information and internal training 8. External Perspective and Transformation • Monitor environmental trends (regulatory, scientific, digital). • Drive digitalization initiatives, e-health, and new ways of engagement. • Help position Medical as a key strategic partner within the organization. Academic Background and Experience Required Education • Degree in Medicine, Pharmacy, or Health Sciences • A PhD or postgraduate training is considered an asset Experience • Strong experience in Medical Affairs (ideally in Rare Diseases) • At least 5 years of experience leading medical teams • Experience in product launches, market access, and evidence generation • Experience in cross-functional work Languages • English: Advanced level (sufficient to attend and participate in scientific meetings and events) • Spanish: Native level • Other: Ideally knowledge of Portuguese Professional Skills/Competencies Corporate Competencies • Results-oriented • Teamwork • Internal/external customer focus • Flexibility and adaptability • Management and interpersonal skills Specific Competencies • Impact and influence • Analytical thinking • Creativity / Innovation • Team management • Strong overall and scientific communication skills, with rigor and objectivity • Active listening, proactivity, and initiative Other Skills Strategic vision, leadership, pharmacoeconomics, knowledge of the pharmaceutical market, negotiation skills, public health and healthcare legislation knowledge, e-health and use of technologies, English, pharmacoepidemiology, and scientific methodology. Ability to implement actions and manage multiple projects simultaneously. About us We are a multinational pharmaceutical company with more than 80 years of experience, offering innovative solutions to improve people's quality of life. Our headquarters are in Parma (Italy), we operate in 26 countries and export to a total of 70. We have been in Spain since 1995, with a team of more than 280 highly trained, equipped and motivated people to provide a valuable service to our clients. We are committed to achieving results with integrity, working responsibly with the environment and with society. We firmly believe that people are the key factor for our present and future success, with an unequivocal commitment to generating a work culture that enhances their talent.