Global Medical Affairs Director, Autoimmune Diseases

Job Description Summary

Ready to shape the future of treatment in autoimmune diseases and drive global impact for patients? As Global Medical Affairs Director, you will play a pivotal role in leading the medical strategy for a priority autoimmune programme, translating innovative science into meaningful outcomes for patients worldwide. You will drive the design and execution of integrated evidence strategies, ensuring the right data is generated at the right time to support clinical practice, access, and long-term value. Working at the heart of a highly collaborative global environment, you will partner across research, development, and cross-functional teams to shape launch readiness, influence scientific dialogue, and accelerate the impact of our medicines across the asset lifecycle.

Location: London, United Kingdom / Barcelona, Spain #LI-Hybrid

Relocation Support: This role is based in London, United Kingdom OR Barcelona, Spain. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support: please only apply if accessible.

 

Job Description

Responsibilities:

• Lead global medical strategy for autoimmune programmes, ensuring alignment across research, development, and commercial functions.

• Develop and execute the Integrated Evidence Plan to maximise value and impact across the asset lifecycle.

• Provide expert medical input into study design, planning, execution, and interpretation across Phase IIIB to IV studies.

• Identify evidence gaps and translate unmet medical needs into innovative evidence generation strategies.

• Partner cross-functionally to shape publication strategies and scientific communications supporting global programmes.

• Drive real-world evidence and health economics outcomes research in collaboration with specialist and regional teams.

• Act as a scientific expert for internal and external stakeholders, including healthcare professionals and patient organisations.

• Lead medical engagement activities, including advisory boards, expert interactions, and educational initiatives.

• Ensure high-quality scientific content, training, and tools are delivered to support Field Medical teams globally.

• Maintain compliance and medical accuracy across materials, while contributing to governance, decision-making forums, and leadership activities.

Essential for the role:

• Medical degree with demonstrated expertise in rheumatology or a closely related therapeutic area.

• Significant experience in pharmaceutical industry within Medical Affairs at a global or international level.

• Strong expertise in clinical trial design, execution, and interpretation, including Good Clinical Practice standards.

• Deep understanding of healthcare systems, patient pathways, and key external stakeholders.

• Proven ability to develop and execute integrated medical strategies across the asset lifecycle.

• Strong scientific credibility with ability to engage and influence external experts and stakeholders.

• Demonstrated ability to identify unmet needs and translate them into impactful evidence generation strategies.

• Agile mindset with strong collaboration skills and a consistent track record of delivering high-quality outcomes.

Desirable for the role:

• Experience supporting pre-launch or near-launch phases across the asset lifecycle within a global Medical Affairs environment.

• Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with key opinion leaders and external stakeholders globally.

 

Skills Desired

Agility, Agility, Clinical Practices, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Data Analysis, Drug Development, Employee Development, Healthcare Sector Understanding, Health Sciences, Influencing Skills, Innovation, Inspirational Leadership, Integrated Evidence Generation, Medical Affairs, Medical Communication, Medical Education, Patient Care, People Management, Pharmaceutics, Priority Disease Areas Expertise, Product Launches, Product Strategy, Real World Evidence (RWE), Regulatory Compliance, Research Methodologies {+ 4 more}