Director Medical Affairs
Requisition ID: 7525
Location:
Deerfield, IL, US
Do you want to join a team where the mission is meaningful, the challenges are complex, and you can directly see the results of your hard work? Lundbeck is a global biopharmaceutical company focusing exclusively on brain health. With more than 70 years of experience in neuroscience, we are committed to improving the lives of people with neurological and psychiatric diseases. Lundbeck employees are inspired and driven by our purpose to advance brain health and transform lives. Join us on our journey of growth!
Open to candidates anywhere in the United States
SUMMARY:
The Director, Rare Epilepsies - Medical Communications, is a strategic leader within US Medical Affairs and reports to the Senior Director and Head of Rare Epilepsies. This role serves as a key scientific partner across Research & Development, Commercial, Market Access, and Regulatory to ensure Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathies (DEEs) strategies are aligned with the needs of patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, payers, and policymakers.
The Director is accountable for shaping and executing the US scientific narrative, medical communications strategy, congress planning, and publication strategy to support launch readiness and lifecycle optimization. This leader will drive cross-functional alignment, ensure scientific excellence, and elevate Lundbeck's presence and credibility within the rare epilepsies community.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership & Medical Communications
Develop and execute an integrated US medical communications strategy aligned to overarching brand and development objectives, with measurable impact.
Lead the creation of the US scientific narrative, ensuring consistency across medical education, publications, congress strategy, and scientific materials.
Own US publication strategy and priorities; ensure alignment and integration with global publication plans.
Direct US congress planning and execution, including scientific platform development, data dissemination strategy, and stakeholder engagement planning.
Oversee development of all US medical materials (promotional and non-promotional), ensuring scientific accuracy, regulatory compliance, and strategic alignment.
Serve as medical reviewer within the promotional review process, upholding the highest standards of scientific integrity and compliance.
Cross-Functional Partnership & Launch Readiness
Provide expert medical perspective to Commercial, Market Access, Regulatory, Clinical Development, Pharmacovigilance, and other internal stakeholders.
Partner cross-functionally to support launch readiness, lifecycle planning, and integrated evidence generation strategies.
Translate clinical data and scientific insights into actionable strategies that inform stakeholder engagement and brand planning.
External Engagement & Scientific Leadership
Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with investigators, key opinion leaders (KOLs), advocacy leaders, and healthcare professionals.
Represent US Medical Affairs in scientific forums and stakeholder engagements to reinforce Lundbeck's leadership in rare epilepsies.
Monitor evolving disease area trends, competitor activities, and policy landscape to proactively inform US and global strategies.
REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS:
Advanced scientific or clinical degree (MD, PharmD, or PhD).
5+ years of progressive, non-field-based Medical Affairs experience within pharmaceutical or biotech industry.
Minimum 2+ years contributing to medical strategy development, launch readiness, scientific communications, publication planning, and congress management in rare disease.
At least 1 year driving medical strategy and execution for a rare neurology asset.
Demonstrated experience designing and executing Medical Education programs (CME and non-CME).
Experience serving as a medical reviewer for promotional materials, ensuring compliance and scientific rigor.
Proven ability to synthesize complex clinical data and translate insights into strategic recommendations.
Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving capability, and data-driven decision-making skills.
Demonstrated success building collaborative cross-functional relationships and influencing without authority.
Experience leading and developing team members while managing multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
Exceptional communication skills with ability to convey complex scientific information clearly and persuasively.
Demonstrated integrity, professionalism, and commitment to ethical standards.
Rare Disease Capabilities and Leadership
Authentic, long-term engagement within the rare disease community, viewed as a trusted and mission-driven partner.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate respectfully and effectively with patient advocacy groups (PAGs), patients, caregivers, clinicians, and industry stakeholders.
Deep understanding of rare disease best practices, including advocacy engagement, patient-focused drug development (PFDD), access and policy considerations, media engagement, and patient support ecosystems.
Experience identifying creative, compliant solutions within regulatory and payer frameworks to advance patient access.
Strong external network across rare disease leaders, clinical societies, and alliances (e.g., Rare Disease Caucus, PFDD Consortium, FDA Rare Disease Center of Excellence).
Highly proactive and adaptable leader capable of operating effectively in evolving, data-limited environments.
PREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS:
Strong Preference to be based in Deerfield, IL Office
8+ years of rare disease industry experience including preparing for and launching a rare neurology treatment.
Epileptologist with established relationships within the Rare Epilepsies KOL and advocacy communities.
FDA regulatory knowledge and direct exposure.
TRAVEL:
Willingness/ability to travel up to 35% domestically. Occasional international travel may be required.
If based remotely, additional travel will be required to Deerfield, IL, to meet the needs of the role and the business
The range displayed is a national range, and if selected for this role, may vary based on various factors such as the candidate's geographical location, qualifications, skills, competencies, and proficiency for the role. Salary Pay Range: $260,000 - $300,000 and eligibility for a 25% bonus target based on company and individual performance, and eligibility to participate in the company's long-term incentive plan. Benefits for this position include flexible paid time off (PTO), health benefits to include Medical, Dental and Vision, and company match 401k. Additional benefits information can be found on ourcareer site (https://www.lundbeck.com/content/dam/lundbeck-com/americas/united-states/careers/Lundbeck\Benefits\Summary.pdf) . Applications accepted on an ongoing basis.#LI-DNI
Why Lundbeck
Lundbeck offers a robust and comprehensive benefits package to help employees live well and protect their health, family, and everyday life. Information regarding our benefit offering can be found on theU.S. career site (https://www.lundbeck.com/content/dam/lundbeck-com/americas/united-states/careers/Lundbeck\Benefits\Summary.pdf) .
Lundbeck is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to disabled veterans and other individuals with disabilities during our employment application process. If, because of a disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please visit theU.S. career site (https://www.lundbeck.com/us/careers/your-job/eeo-accommodations-policy) .
Lundbeck is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by law, rule, or regulation. Lundbeck participates inE-Verify (https://www.lundbeck.com/content/dam/lundbeck-com/americas/united-states/careers/E-Verify\Participation\Poster\Eng\Es.pdf) .
About Lundbeck
At Lundbeck, our most important contribution is easing the burden of the millions of people living with brain disorders. Whether it is migraine, depression, or other brain disorders, patients, their carers, and society as a whole depend on us.
Through cutting edge science and strong partnerships, we develop and market some of the world's leading treatments, expanding into neuro-specialty and neuro-rare from our strong legacy within psychiatry and neurology.
The brain health challenge is real. Our commitment is real. Our impact is real.
About Lundbeck
At Lundbeck, our most important contribution is easing the burden of the millions of people living with brain disorders. Whether it is migraine, depression, or other brain disorders, patients, their carers, and society as a whole depend on us.
Through cutting edge science and strong partnerships, we develop and market some of the world's leading treatments, expanding into neuro-specialty and neuro-rare from our strong legacy within psychiatry and neurology.
The brain health challenge is real. Our commitment is real. Our impact is real.
