We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to join our team as the Head of Medical Affairs, Europe. In this critical role, you will oversee the medical affairs strategy across Europe, ensuring alignment with global objectives and fostering collaboration across various functions. You will report directly to the VP Head of Global Medical Affairs and be an integral member of both the Global Medical Affairs Leadership Team.

Main Accountabilities

• Direct Reporting Line: As we transition reporting lines from the Country General Managers to the incumbent of this role, you will establish a robust and accountable solid reporting line for all European Country Medical Directors. Ensuring clear oversight and yet guaranteeing their close collaboration with the GMs, as they will continue to be part of the local LT and supporting local success. This role reports into the VP Head of Global Medical Affairs.
• Governance and Oversight: Take ownership for governance oversight of Medical Affairs activities across Europe (and beyond where applicable). Drive the regular Medical Directors Forum for Europe, which informs the yearly Global Medical Affairs Directors Meeting. Member of European Leadership Team and Global Medical Affairs Leadership Team (GMA LT).
• Strategic Alignment: Align strategic objectives and by country priorities with cross-functional regional team Europe as well as with the Global Medical Affairs team / Global Brand Teams.
• Initiative Development: Lead the development and execution of diverse Medical Affairs initiatives. Serve as the primary point of contact and provide day-to-day support to Country Medical Directors in managing their medical teams.
• Representation and Leadership: Advocate for European interests with Global Medical Excellence, Global Medical Affairs and Global Brand Teams. Assume a strategic leadership role across CSL Vifor.
• Collaboration and Insight: Collaborate closely with commercial, market access, and marketing functions. Offer forward-thinking medical insights related to therapeutic areas within the Vifor Pharma portfolio.
• Capability Building: Continuously enhance the capabilities of the Medical Affairs team, leveraging support from the Global Medical Excellence and Governance organization.
• Leadership: Exhibit excellent medical leadership, contributing to the development and effective management of Medical Affairs in Europe and beyond.

Key Measures of Success

• Strategic Impact: Develop and execute the Global/Regional Medical Affairs strategy and programs, driving successful commercialization of in-market and future CSL Vifor products. Emphasize evidence-based medicine and value-based pricing.
• Leadership Recognition: Establish yourself as a recognized medical leader both internally and externally. Demonstrate strong leadership qualities, foster cross-functional collaboration, and influence stakeholders at all organizational levels.
• Collaboration Alignment: Act as a collaborative internal partner to Global Medical Affairs (GMA), ensuring regional needs inform an overarching GMA strategy.
• Global Influence: Strengthen collaborations with global functions to proactively shape clinical development plans that align with the region’s growth ambitions.
• Technical Consultation: Provide continuous technical and scientific consultation to both the medical and commercial teams, ensuring adherence to quality and compliance systems.
• Medical Compliance: Ensure all activities adhere to regulatory and legal frameworks, including GCP, IFPMA, local regulations, and CSL Vifor policies and healthcare compliance procedures.

Tasks

• Provide insights to identify area for research interest for independent research:  Inform the global Investigator-Initiated Trial (IIT) strategy per molecule by means of identified evidence gaps. Support company-sponsored post-marketing clinical trials across the region, ensuring alignment with our evidence gaps and the Global Medical Affairs Strategy.
• Brand Value Maximization: Collaborate with Marketing Teams to maximize the brand value proposition in assigned therapeutic areas. Contribute to the development and execution of Medical Marketing plans and commercial activities.
• Scientific Support: Provide scientific support to Marketing, Regulatory, Market Access, Pharmacovigilance, and Compliance (risk management) groups.
• International Management Strategy: Work closely with Global Medical Affairs (GMA) and Risk Management functions to establish a robust international management strategy.
• Medical Directors Forum (MDF): Lead and drive the EU Medical Directors Forum, sharing insights and innovations and improving outcomes. Engage with peers and experts to optimize patient care, outcomes, and benefit management.
• Local Medical Affairs Strategic Plan: Lead European countries in developing and executing Local Medical Affairs plans, aligned with local priorities and Global guidance. Help the affiliates where appropriate in delivering symposia at local congresses, internal and external educational meetings, local publications, and Key Opinion Leader (KOL) identification and development.
• KOL Engagement Plans: Support European countries in creating national and regional KOL plans. Develop site-specific advocacy plans, including Advisory Boards and Educational Symposia.
• Collaboration and Silo-Breaking: Foster collaboration across a multi-matrixed organization by breaking down silos.
• Promote change: Embrace change as an opportunity for innovation.
• Regulatory Compliance and Quality: Ensure compliance with European and international regulations, internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and deliver scientifically sound content of high quality.
• Effective Communication: Facilitate information exchange and align activities among therapeutic areas, CSL Vifor, and partners.

Qualifications

• Medical Doctor (M.D.): this is an absolute requirement
• Minimum 15 years industry experience including Medical Affairs at affiliate as well as at regional and global HQ level.
• Ideally post-graduate specialization in Pharmaceutical Medicine and qualification in marketing and/or business administration (MBA/eMBA)
• Proven relationship building competencies with external stakeholders
• Strong commercial acumen
• Significant and proven track record of excellence in the pharmaceutical industry
• Must have medical affairs experience including launching new products, market shaping and launch readiness activities
• Experience of working in a European/Global medical affairs role and with commercial teams
• Experience managing cross-functional projects and teams
• Excellent understanding of healthcare systems in Europe and the needs of payors
• Must have experience: pre-launch and launch phase, in running Phase IV studies and lifecycle management of mature products
• Experience in establishing scientific relationships/interactions with academic societies
• Leadership experience from previous positions in leading large teams
• Finance and budgeting experience
• Professional level in English, both in oral and in written communications and fluency in other language(s), e.g. German, French and/ or Spanish highly desired
• Excellent user of Office Programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• This role will demand an ability to work strategically and operationally in equal measures. The successful candidate will be a self-starter, who thrives in ambiguity and possesses an entrepreneurial and innovative approach.

About CSL Vifor

CSL Vifor aims to become the global leader in iron deficiency and nephrology.

The company is a partner of choice for pharmaceuticals and innovative patient-focused solutions across iron, dialysis, nephrology and rare conditions. CSL Vifor strives to help patients around the world with severe, chronic and rare diseases lead better, healthier lives. It specializes in strategic global partnering, in-licensing and developing, manufacturing and marketing pharmaceutical products for precision patient care.

For more information, please visit viforpharma.com

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