Santhera Pharmaceuticals is a Swiss specialty pharmaceutical company focused on medical science and the development and commercialization of innovative pharmaceutical products for the treatment of rare neuromuscular diseases with high unmet medical need.
Come and join our team to contribute to providing treatment options for patients with rare diseases that have a severe impact on the lives of affected children and adults. You can make a difference as :
Medical Affairs Director, Italy
Scope of Work
The Medical Affairs Director, Italy reports directly to the General Manager of Italy, with a dotted line to the Head of Medical Affairs EU & ROW. This role is part of the Italian management team and collaborates closely with all other functions based in Italy, as well as affiliated functions such as Clinical Development, Medical Affairs, Marketing, Commercial, Market Access, and others. The overall scope of the role :
* Provide effective strategic, scientific and medical leadership
* Line management of medical team (when in place)
* Develop and lead implementation of effective and aligned Italy Medical Affairs plans
* Engage with scientific leaders in relevant therapy areas to raise awareness, provide relevant information and foster scientific exchanges
* Demonstrate effective collaboration and share best practices between Italy, other countries, and HQ
Key Responsibilities
1. Recruit, develop and maintain a high performing medical affairs team (as needed)
2. Identify strategic medical activities to support the company goals
3. Align the Italy Medical Affairs and publication plans to global plans
4. Plan and deliver effective and aligned medical communications, congress and educational plans
5. Deliver tactics on budget and on time
6. Develop, oversee and implement Italy scientific / clinical leaders and KOL development plan
7. Support local patient advocacy group engagement plan as aligned with Patient Advocacy Group Programme Manager and HQ
8. Effectively support market access projects with regards to local value and reimbursement dossiers and relevant medical practices
9. Contribute to and support, as needed, HQ-led Medical Affairs projects such as product / therapy training platforms, local events, congresses etc.
10. Ensure adherence to Santhera SOPs and Italy country compliance codes of practice, developing local SOPs as necessary
11. Act as Italian compliance champion, applying knowledge of country codes to optimise Italy activities
12. Ensure effective support and collaboration between Santhera medical affairs team and commercial colleagues
13. Collaborate and contribute to high priority EU / global projects
14. Comply to all relevant SOPs
15. Deliver timely and compliant review and approval of marketing and medical materials
16. Act as the senior medical representative of the company at global projects
Required Qualifications & Experience
17. Bachelor’s degree in a scientific field;
licensed Doctor (MD), Pharmacist (PharmD) or holder of an equivalent advanced scientific degree
18. Minimum of 10 years’ proven experience in medical affairs, with a strong focus on product launches and life cycle management, and in-depth knowledge of regulatory and compliance requirements in Italy
19. Experience in rare diseases, R&D, and / or clinical work within a hospital or patient association preferred
20. Experience in the neuromuscular disease landscape or related therapeutic areas preferred, with familiarity with relevant clinical trial methodologies
21. Prior experience in leading and managing teams, including line management responsibilities
22. Willingness to travel up to 50% as required
Required Competencies & Skills
23. Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with key opinion leaders, healthcare professionals, and internal stakeholders
24. Excellent planning and organisational skills
25. Strong strategic vision with a business focus;
able to shift between detailed analytical work and strategic thinking
26. Proactive and results-oriented, with a demonstrated ability to drive initiatives to successful completion
27. Native Italian speaker with outstanding written and verbal communication and presentation skills
28. Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic, fast-paced matrix environment
29. Resilient and perseverant, with the ability to navigate ambiguity, take appropriate risks, and make sound decisions in an entrepreneurial business environment
30. Adaptable and open-minded with a solutions-oriented and creative mindset
If you are interested in a multicultural, challenging, and innovative working environment and your profile matches our requirements, we look forward to receiving your online application in English via LinkedIn or email at
Note for agencies :
Recruitment agencies are kindly requested to refrain from sending unsolicited CVs to Santhera.
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