Description

The Medical Affairs Scientific Communications Director will lead the strategic development and execution of scientific communication plans for MSA that support launch readiness and are aligned with the needs of patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, payers, and policymakers.

The role will lead and oversee publication planning, congress strategy, data dissemination, medical and digital content development, scientific platform development, promotional medical review, agency/vendor management, budget oversight, and compliance review. This individual will partner closely with HEOR, Commercial, Customer insights & analytics, Patient advocacy, Clinical Development, Compliance, Legal, Medical Affairs Operations, and Medical Affairs teams and external experts to ensure scientific materials are accurate, balanced, compliant, and aligned with medical objectives while serving as a scientific communications expert across the organization.

This leader will drive cross-functional alignment, ensure scientific excellence, and elevate Lundbeck’s presence and credibility within the Multiple System Atrophy 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.
• Develop and maintain the scientific narrative, clinical value story, lexicon, data story, key messages, evidence summaries, and communication themes. Ensure consistent, accurate, and balanced communication of clinical data across materials.
• Own US publication strategy and priorities; ensure alignment and integration with global publication plans.
• Own US congress planning and execution, including data rollout planning, abstract submission, poster and oral presentation development, symposium content, medical booth content, and pre- and post-congress communication activities.
• Develop stakeholder mapping & engagement planning.
• Oversee development of all US medical materials, medical slide decks, FAQs, scientific response documents, congress assets, field medical materials, training content, data visualizations, digital scientific content, and other non-promotional medical resources ensuring scientific accuracy, regulatory compliance, and strategic alignment.
• Partner with Field Medical to support scientific readiness, training, and consistent, compliant communication of the MSA scientific narrative.
• Serve as medical reviewer within the promotional review process, upholding the highest standards of scientific integrity and compliance.
• Manage medical writing agencies, publication vendors, freelancers, congress support vendors, budgets, timelines, and deliverables.

Cross-Functional Partnership & Launch Readiness

• Provide expert medical perspective to Commercial, Patient advocacy, 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 Multiple System Atrophy.
• Monitor evolving disease area trends, competitor activities, and policy landscape to proactively inform US and global strategies.

Requirements

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS:

• Accredited advanced scientific or clinical degree (MD, PharmD, PhD or MS).
• 5+ years of progressive, non-field-based Medical Affairs experience within pharmaceutical or biotech industry or at an agency that supports the pharmaceutical or biotech industry.
• Minimum 2+ years contributing to medical strategy development, launch readiness, scientific communications, publication planning, and congress management.
• Demonstrated experience designing and executing Medical Education programs (CME and non-CME).
• Strong understanding of clinical trial data, evidence generation, publication practices, and therapeutic-area strategy and translate insights into strategic recommendations.
• Experience developing publication plans, congress materials, scientific platforms, and medical content.
• Knowledge of compliance requirements, publication ethics, and medical/legal/regulatory review processes.
• Experience serving as a medical reviewer for promotional materials, ensuring compliance and scientific rigor.
• Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving capability, and data-driven decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated success building collaborative cross-functional relationships and influencing without authority.
• Experience 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, access and policy considerations, media engagement, and patient support ecosystems.
• 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:

• 8+ years of rare disease industry experience including preparing for and launching a rare neurology treatment.
• Neurologist or movement disorder specialist with established relationships within the movement disorder KOL and advocacy communities.
• FDA regulatory knowledge.
• Strong preference for candidate to based in Deerfield, IL office  

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 - $290,000 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 our site. Applications accepted on an ongoing basis.