Medical Director, US Medical Affairs – Rare Diseases (Friedreich's Ataxia)
Biogen · Cambridge · $225,000–$309,750 (stated in the posting)
About This Role
The Medical Director, US Medical Affairs – Rare Diseases is a key strategic leader within Biogen's US Medical organization, serving as the US Medical Lead for Friedreich's Ataxia (FA). Reporting to the Head of US Rare Diseases Medical Affairs, this role is accountable for developing and executing the US Medical strategy for Biogen's FA portfolio, including approved therapies and future indications.
This individual will provide scientific and strategic leadership across the product lifecycle, representing the US affiliate perspective in partnership with Global Medical Affairs, Clinical Development, Commercial, Market Access, Patient Advocacy, and Field Medical teams. A critical focus of the role will be driving medical readiness and execution for lifecycle expansion opportunities, including the anticipated pediatric indication for Friedreich's Ataxia.
The Medical Director will serve as the primary US medical subject matter expert for FA, helping shape evidence generation priorities, stakeholder engagement plans, scientific communications, and medical education initiatives that advance patient care and improve outcomes for individuals living with Friedreich's Ataxia.
What You'll Do
US Medical Strategy & Leadership
- Serve as the US Medical Lead for Friedreich's Ataxia, accountable for the development and execution of the integrated US Medical Affairs strategy.
- Lead annual and long-range medical planning, ensuring alignment with US business priorities, patient needs, and global medical strategy.
- Represent US Medical Affairs in cross-functional planning and governance discussions, providing scientific leadership and strategic direction.
- Translate emerging scientific evidence, external insights, and stakeholder feedback into actionable recommendations that inform both US and global decision-making.
- Manage US Medical budgets and resources to support strategic priorities and maximize impact.
Launch and Lifecycle Management
- Lead US medical launch readiness and execution activities supporting lifecycle management initiatives, including the anticipated pediatric indication launch in Friedreich's Ataxia.
- Develop and execute medical plans that address evolving standards of care, unmet needs, and educational gaps across the FA treatment landscape.
- Partner with Commercial, Market Access, Regulatory, and Clinical Development colleagues to ensure successful implementation of medical initiatives while maintaining scientific independence.
Evidence Generation & Scientific Leadership
- Lead the US evidence generation strategy, including real-world evidence studies, investigator-sponsored research, outcomes research collaborations, and data dissemination plans.
- Identify evidence gaps relevant to patients, providers, and payers and develop strategies to address them.
- Collaborate closely with Global Medical, HEOR, and alliance partners to ensure alignment of evidence generation priorities.
- Provide medical review and scientific leadership for publications, congress activities, advisory boards, and educational programs.
External Scientific Engagement
- Establish and maintain trusted relationships with key opinion leaders, academic investigators, healthcare professionals, advocacy organizations, and professional societies within the Friedreich's Ataxia and rare disease communities.
- Represent Biogen at national and regional congresses, advisory boards, investigator meetings, scientific forums, and medical education programs.
- Gather and synthesize external insights to enhance scientific understanding and inform strategic decision-making.
- Partner with patient advocacy organizations to better understand patient and caregiver experiences and incorporate those perspectives into medical strategy.
Medical Education & Field Partnership
- Partner with Field Medical leadership to develop scientific engagement strategies and address unmet educational needs across the FA community.
- Guide the development of US scientific communications, medical education initiatives, and medical content.
- Support training and capability development across the broader Medical Affairs organization.
- Ensure medical materials and activities comply with applicable regulatory, legal, and compliance standards.
Leadership & Culture
- Act as a scientific leader and trusted partner across the organization.
- Foster collaboration, innovation, and a patient-focused culture aligned with Biogen's values.
- Mentor and support colleagues across Medical Affairs and cross-functional teams.
Who You Are
You are a strategic and scientifically rigorous Medical Affairs leader with deep expertise in rare diseases and a passion for advancing care for underserved patient populations. You combine strong clinical and scientific foundations with commercial awareness and exceptional stakeholder engagement skills. You thrive in highly collaborative environments and are motivated by the opportunity to shape medical strategy, influence patient outcomes, and support transformational therapies.
Required Qualifications
- MD, PharmD, PhD, or other advanced scientific or clinical degree.
- Minimum of 5 years of pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or relevant healthcare industry experience within Medical Affairs, Clinical Development, or a related function.
- Experience in Friedreich's Ataxia, inherited ataxias, neuromuscular disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, or other rare disease therapeutic areas.
- Demonstrated experience developing and executing Medical Affairs strategies.
- Experience leading or supporting evidence generation initiatives.
- Strong understanding of US healthcare systems, payer environments, and Medical Affairs regulations.
- Excellent scientific communication, presentation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Proven ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct authority.
Preferred Qualifications
- Direct experience in Friedreich's Ataxia and the FA treatment landscape.
- Experience leading or supporting a Medical Affairs launch, including pre-launch and launch execution activities.
- Experience supporting indication expansions and lifecycle management initiatives.
- Demonstrated success partnering with patient advocacy organizations and rare disease communities.
- Experience collaborating across global and affiliate medical organizations.
- Strong knowledge of real-world evidence generation, outcomes research, and medical communications.
- Previous people leadership or mentoring experience.
- Ability to manage complex projects and drive execution in a fast-paced environment.
Why This Role Matters
This is a highly visible US Medical Affairs leadership role with responsibility for shaping Biogen's medical strategy in Friedreich's Ataxia. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in advancing scientific understanding, supporting the rare disease community, and leading US medical readiness for future growth opportunities, including the anticipated pediatric indication.
Job Level: Management
Additional Information
Base salary offered is determined through an analytical approach utilizing a combination of factors including, but not limited to, relevant skills & experience, job location, and internal equity.
Regular employees are eligible to receive both short term and long-term incentives, including cash bonus and equity incentive opportunities, designed to reward recent achievements and recognize your future potential based on individual, business unit and company performance.
In addition to compensation, Biogen offers a full and highly competitive range of benefits designed to support our employees’ and their families physical, financial, emotional, and social well-being; including, but not limited to:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, & Life insurances
- Fitness & Wellness programs including a fitness reimbursement
- Short- and Long-Term Disability insurance
- A minimum of 15 days of paid vacation and an additional end-of-year shutdown time off (Dec 26-Dec 31)
- Up to 12 company paid holidays + 3 paid days off for Personal Significance
- 80 hours of sick time per calendar year
- Paid Maternity and Parental Leave benefit
- 401(k) program participation with company matched contributions
- Employee stock purchase plan
- Tuition reimbursement of up to $10,000 per calendar year
- Employee Resource Groups participation
Why Biogen?
We are a global team with a commitment to excellence, and a pioneering spirit. As a mid-sized biotechnology company, we provide the stability and resources of a well-established business while fostering an environment where individual contributions make a significant impact. Our team encompasses some of the most talented and passionate achievers who have unparalleled opportunities for learning, growth, and expanding their skills. Above all, we work together to deliver life-changing medicines, with every role playing a vital part in our mission. Caring Deeply. Achieving Excellence. Changing Lives.
At Biogen, we are committed to building on our culture of inclusion and belonging that reflects the communities where we operate and the patients we serve. We know that diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives make us a stronger and more innovative company, and we are focused on building teams where every employee feels empowered and inspired. Read on to learn more about Biogen.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. Biogen is an E-Verify Employer in the United States.
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