Medical Head - Oncology and Rare Diseases, SA and SAR

at  AstraZeneca

Do you have expertise in, and passion for science working in Oncology and Rare Diseases and creating value for our customers and patients? If so, AstraZeneca might be the one for you!

JOB DESCRIPTION

An internal and externally facing medical role that provides medical and clinical expertise in the oncology disease area and builds AstraZeneca scientific leadership in the South Africa (SA) and Southern Africa region (SAR). The Oncology & Rare Diseases Medical Head is an enterprise leader and manager of the medical affairs team and is responsible for developing and enabling the team to establish scientific leadership of AstraZeneca, as well as drive the organizational goals with the cross-functional team. Participates and contributes with medical and clinical expertise in design of LCM and Brand Strategy. Engages Opinion Leaders in ESRs, scientific exchange meetings and advisory board meetings. Defines and delivers training on medical background of the product or various functions in an organization. Takes leadership in implementation of Medical Plan/Activities in alignment with Brand strategy and has responsibility as a Nominated Signatory medical approver for activities and promotional materials.

TYPICAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Enhance Medical Affairs Organisational Effectiveness: Build and develop a medical affairs team with customer focused, performance driven, cross collaborating and people centred function.
• Ensure objectives for the Medical Affairs team are aligned with Medical Strategic plan and vision for AZ to become scientific leaders.
• Ensure the Medical Affairs team is adequately staffed with the right structure and right quality of people to deliver the ambition/objectives.
• Drive and monitor the performance of medical team to meet the defined objectives and fosters an enterprise mindset aligned with achieving organizational goals with the cross-functional team.
• Ensure adequate budget is available to deliver key priorities, track spend and make required adjustments to fulfil commitments.
• Lead effective succession planning and develop a talent pipeline for medical function.
• Identify development needs and provide coaching to team and individuals based on in office and infield observations

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Must be a Qualified Medical Doctor or have a completed MSc/PhD in a scientific discipline
• MSL, Medical Advisor Management experience and Medical Affairs Manager role - minimum 5 years in medical affairs role
• Medical/Scientific knowledge in the responsible disease area
• Interest in a long-term career in the pharmaceutical industry.
• MSc/PhD in a scientific discipline would be advantageous
• Understanding of multiple aspects within Medical Affairs
• Knowledge of the latest technical and regulatory developments (essential for Sr MAM)
• Experience of Medical Affairs function within a pharmaceutical industry (essential for Sr MAM)
• Experience in relationship and stakeholder management (essential for senior MA)
• Project management experience
• Coaching & Feedback – Leadership skills.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills
• Ability to travel.
• Fluency in English is required.

You will be a critical player in ensuring the success of the Oncology and Rare Diseases therapeutic area by delivering on strategic medical imperatives, driving scientific leadership, and building mutually beneficial partnerships with medical experts, diagnostic specialists, payors and PAGs. You will develop a deep scientific and medical understanding of the SA and SAR disease landscape, diagnostics, and treatment access to identify the best solutions for improving the patient journey, promote earlier diagnosis and enhance quality of care for our patients life-threatening, serious diseases.