Director, Medical Engagement Lead
Sarepta · Reading
Why Sarepta? Why Now?
The promise of genetic medicine has arrived, and Sarepta is at the forefront. We hold a leadership position in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (Duchenne) and are building a robust portfolio of programs across muscle, central nervous system, and cardiac diseases. In 2023, we launched our fourth therapy and the first ever gene therapy to treat Duchenne.
We’re looking for people who see unlimited potential in themselves and who are motivated by an unwavering commitment to patients.
The Importance of the Role
The position provides scientific leadership across Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and related neuromuscular disorders, and Sarepta's investigational therapeutic pipeline, including exon-skipping, siRNA, gene therapy and emerging precision genetic medicine approaches.
The Medical Engagement Lead partners closely with Global Medical Affairs Strategy Leads, Clinical Development, Clinical Operations, International Business and Opinion Leader Programming to ensure external scientific insights help shape strategic decision making across the organisation. This role requires a highly experienced Medical Affairs leader who can work autonomously, exercise sound scientific judgement, and build trusted relationships with global stakeholders.
The Opportunity to Make a Difference
Primary Responsibilities Include
- Develop and execute international KOL engagement strategy across priority disease areas and geographic regions in alignment with Global Medical Affairs objectives.
- Serve as Sarepta's primary medical liaison to international key opinion leaders, investigators, research networks, and academic institutions outside the United States, through regular in-person engagement, ensuring Sarepta remains closely connected to emerging developments.
- Establish, maintain and expand strategic relationships with established and emerging thought leaders within DMD, FSHD, DM1 and neurological disease communities.
- Identify opportunities to enhance scientific exchange and develop innovative engagement approaches that strengthen Sarepta's scientific leadership and external partnerships.
- Generate actionable insights from external experts, investigators and healthcare professionals and translate those insights into strategic recommendations that inform action for Global Medical Affairs strategy, clinical development, evidence generation and future launch planning.
- Provide scientific and medical leadership for advisory boards, investigator meetings, congress activities, educational initiatives and other scientific engagement programmes.
- Deliver high-quality presentations and scientific discussions related to disease state education, clinical development programmes, approved products and investigational therapies.
- Support ongoing clinical trials through investigator engagement, scientific training, site identification, study start-up support and ongoing scientific interactions with investigators and study teams.
- Support investigator-initiated research, registries and evidence generation initiatives consistent with company objectives and regulatory requirements.
- Demonstrate deep knowledge of emerging scientific literature, clinical practice trends, treatment paradigms, competitive developments and evolving stakeholder needs across the neuromuscular therapeutic landscape.
- Collaborate extensively across Medical Affairs, Clinical Development, Clinical Operations, Patient Advocacy and Commercial teams to ensure aligned execution of scientific engagement strategies.
- Serve as a strategic medical affairs leader within a highly matrixed organisation, identifying opportunities to advance scientific understanding, strengthen stakeholder relationships and improve patient outcomes.
- Partner closely with external strategic partners to provide scientific expertise, medical training, and strategic guidance on regional Medical Affairs initiatives (where applicable).
- Maintain compliance with all applicable company policies, industry regulations and ethical guidelines governing scientific exchange and stakeholder interactions.
- Complete administrative and reporting requirements in a timely manner and perform other duties as required.
More about You
Desired Education and Skills
- Advanced scientific or clinical degree required (e.g. MD, MB BCh BAO, MBBS, MBChB, Dr. med., PharmD, PhD) or equivalent qualification.
- Significant clinical, scientific and/or Medical Affairs experience within biotechnology, pharmaceutical industry, academic medicine, healthcare systems or related fields.
- Extensive experience within Medical Affairs, including leadership responsibilities at a national, regional or global level.
- Previous experience as a Medical Director, Senior Medical Director, Regional Medical Director or equivalent scientific leadership role.
- Existing Neurology / Pediatric / neuromuscular experience and relationships is a plus.
- Knowledge and experience within DMD preferred, with experience in FSHD, DM1, SMA or other rare neurological disorders considered valuable.
- Experience supporting clinical development programmes and strong understanding of clinical trial design, study conduct, investigator engagement and interpretation of scientific data.
- Demonstrated ability to critically evaluate emerging scientific evidence and translate findings into actionable medical and business strategies.
- Established track record of building productive, long-term relationships with national and international key opinion leaders, investigators and scientific communities.
- Experience generating and communicating actionable medical insights that influence strategy and decision making.
- Strong understanding of global healthcare environments, Medical Affairs functions, evidence generation, regulatory requirements and industry compliance standards.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively and independently within complex global matrix organisations.
- Proven ability to influence without authority and successfully partner across diverse cross-functional teams.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to identify opportunities, develop solutions and independently drive execution.
- Excellent presentation, communication, listening, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to tailor scientific discussions to a wide range of audiences.
- High integrity, sound judgement, strong sense of accountability and ability to operate effectively in rapidly evolving environments.
- Success in this role requires substantial (50-60%) international travel to maintain close relationships with geographically dispersed KOLs and investigators across Sarepta's priority regions.
What Now?
We’re always looking for solution-oriented, critical thinkers.
So, if you’re comfortable with ambiguity and candor, relish challenging yourself, and place kindness and integrity at the forefront of how you approach your peers and work, then we encourage you to apply.
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