Santhera Pharmaceuticals is a Swiss specialty pharmaceutical company committed to developing and commercializing innovative medicines to meet the needs of patients living with rare and other diseases with high unmet medical needs.
At Santhera, our people are the driving force behind our success. Our collective loyalty, courage, and resilience set us apart and help us thrive through change as a collaborative team. We create a purposeful workplace where your contribution matters, growth is fostered, and together we make a real impact for those living with rare diseases and for each other.
The UK team successfully launched a rare disease product 18 months ago with full NICE and SMC approval. In joining us you will contribute to providing new treatment options for children and adults affected by rare diseases. You can make a difference as:
Medical Affairs Director, UK & Ireland
Location: United Kingdom (Remote)
Who you are
You are an experienced Medical Affairs professional with a wealth of experience in the British scientific, KOL and biotech industry context, with passion for treating rare diseases and a strong interest in improving the lives of patients suffering of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and/or other rare diseases in future.
Scope of Work
The role reports directly to the General Manager of the UK, Ireland, France & Benelux with a dotted line to the Head of Medical Affairs Europe & ROW, is part of the UK team and collaborates closely with all the other functions located in the UK in addition to other affiliated functions (Clinical Development, Medical Affairs, Marketing, Commercial, Market Access) that are based in our Swiss HQ or in the Virtual Commercial Hub.
This role supports the organization in the first years after the launch, in building and establishing the company on the UK & Irish markets, and in future potentially with the launch of new assets.
The overall scope of the role:
- Provide effective, strategic, scientific and medical leadership
- Ensure supportive line management of the Field Medical Advisor UK
- Develop and lead implementation of effective and aligned UK Medical Affairs plans
- Engage with scientific leaders in relevant therapy areas to raise awareness, provide relevant information and foster scientific exchanges
- Show effective collaboration and sharing best practices between UK and HQ
Key Responsibilities
- Recruit, develop and maintain a high performing medical affairs team
- Identify strategic medical activities to support the company goals
- Align the UK & IRL Medical Affairs and publication plans to global plans
- Plan and deliver effective and aligned medical communications, congress and educational plans, deliver tactics on budget and on time
- Develop, oversee and implement UK & IRL scientific/clinical leaders and KOL development plan
- Support local patient advocacy group engagement plan as aligned with HQ
- Effectively support market access projects with regards to local value and reimbursement dossiers and relevant medical practices
- Ensure effective support and collaboration between Santhera medical affairs team and commercial colleagues
- Collaborate and contribute to high priority European or global projects
- Deliver timely and compliant review and approval of marketing and medical materials
Required Qualifications & Experience
- Licensed Doctor (MD) or Pharmacist (PharmD) or equivalent higher scientific degree, with a strong background in rare diseases, ideally in neuromuscular disorders or related therapeutic areas
- Current Final ABPI Signatory status required
- Excellent understanding of UK regulatory and compliance requirements
- Strong experience in medical affairs in the UK, with a focus on product launches and life cycle management
- Experience of medical affairs engagement with patient groups in the UK
- Line management experience
Required Competencies & Skills
- Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with key opinion leaders and healthcare professionals as well as internal stakeholders
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to work effectively in a dynamic cross-functional, matrix environment
- Excellent planning and organisational skills
- Exceptional communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as required
- Resilient and perseverant, capable of dealing with ambiguity, appropriate risk-taking and decision-making in an entrepreneurial business environment
- Willingness to travel
If you are attracted by this exciting opportunity and the prospects of joining a motivated international team operating on a global level, please apply online or send your CV mentioning the position “Medical Affairs Director, UK & Ireland” as the subject by email to
Note for agencies: Recruitment agencies are kindly invited to refrain from sending unsolicited CVs to Santhera.
