Medical Excellence & Innovation Lead, Global Rare Diseases
Chiesi Group
Summary
We are seeking an experienced Medical Affairs professional to join the Global Rare Diseases (GRD) Medical Strategic Operations team as the dedicated strategic operations partner to the US / North America Medical Head and US Medical organization. In this role, you will help translate medical strategy into disciplined execution, strengthen field medical effectiveness, and connect regional priorities with the broader Global Medical Affairs vision.
Job description
US Medical Strategy and Execution
- Partner with the US / North America Medical Head to translate global and regional priorities into an integrated US Medical strategy, execution roadmap, and measurable outcomes.
- Lead and optimize annual planning and launch readiness processes, ensuring alignment on objectives, priorities, timelines, dependencies, and success metrics.
- Coordinate key Medical Affairs activities including advisory boards, congresses, stakeholder engagement, medical education initiatives, and other strategic portfolio priorities.
- Provide program leadership for cross-functional initiatives spanning Medical Strategy, Field Medical, RWE, Scientific Communications, Medical Information, Clinical Development, Patient Advocacy, Market Access, and other key functions.
- Monitor execution progress, proactively identify risks or dependencies, and drive timely resolution to maintain strategic momentum.
Field Medical Excellence and Insights
- Partner with Field Medical leadership to strengthen strategic planning, insight generation, territory reviews, and execution against medical priorities.
- Establish scalable processes that connect field activities and stakeholder insights to regional and global strategy.
- Facilitate field leadership meetings, workshops, offsites, and strategic planning sessions, ensuring clear outcomes, accountability, and follow-through.
- Identify capability gaps and coordinate targeted development, onboarding, and best-practice sharing across the field organization.
- Enable effective two-way communication that accelerates the translation of field insights into strategy and strategic priorities into field action.
Governance, Cross-Functional Alignment, and Operational Excellence
- Establish and maintain effective governance, operating rhythms, and performance reviews across the US Medical organization.
- Clarify decision rights, ownership, and ways of working across Global, Regional, and Field Medical teams to improve efficiency and execution.
- Facilitate cross-functional alignment and represent Medical Strategic Operations in key medical and business forums.
- Anticipate execution risks, identify barriers, and provide actionable recommendations to leadership.
- Drive continuous improvement of Medical Affairs processes while ensuring compliance with company policies and applicable regulatory requirements.
Performance, Analytics, and Innovation
- Partner with the Medical Strategic Operations Systems and Process Lead to develop and maintain meaningful KPIs, dashboards, and reporting that measure execution, effectiveness, and medical impact.
- Translate data, field insights, and business context into actionable recommendations for senior Medical Affairs leadership.
- Identify and implement innovative approaches, including AI-enabled solutions, that enhance planning, insight generation, decision making, and organizational effectiveness.
- Manage external partners supporting analytics, capability development, advisory boards, meetings, and other strategic initiatives.
Financial and Resource Management
- Partner with Medical leadership, Strategic Operations, and Finance to develop and manage the US Medical budget and resource plan.
- Monitor forecasts, commitments, accruals, and spend to support proactive resource allocation and investment decisions.
- Ensure alignment between budgets, timelines, deliverables, and strategic priorities.
- Oversee vendor selection, contracting, scope development, and performance management in accordance with company policies and compliance standards.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Healthcare, Business, or a related field.
- 7+ years of experience in Medical Affairs, Medical Operations, Field Medical Excellence, Strategy, Program Management, or related pharmaceutical/biotechnology roles.
- Demonstrated success supporting Medical Affairs strategy and execution in partnership with field-based medical teams.
- Strong program and project leadership capabilities, with experience translating strategy into execution and measurable business outcomes.
- Experience leading medical planning, congress activities, advisory boards, stakeholder engagement, budget management, and launch readiness initiatives.
- Strong understanding of Medical Affairs governance and compliance requirements within a regulated healthcare environment.
- Exceptional facilitation, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence across a matrix organization.
- Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving capabilities.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, manage competing priorities, and navigate ambiguity with a high degree of accountability.
- Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as business needs require.
Benefits
- Comprehensive healthcare programs
- Work-life balance initiatives
- Relocation support
- Performance bonuses
- Flexible working arrangements
- Remote work options
- Tax assistance services
Company overview
Chiesi Group is a research-oriented international biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Parma, Italy, with over 85 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Founded in 1935 as a family-owned business, Chiesi has grown into a global pharmaceutical group with 31 affiliates worldwide and more than 7,500 employees. The company specializes in developing and marketing innovative therapeutic solutions across three main business areas: respiratory health (AIR), rare diseases (RARE), and specialty care (CARE). Chiesi is particularly recognized for its leadership in respiratory treatments, including inhalers for asthma and COPD, as well as its growing portfolio in rare disease therapies following the acquisition of Amryt Pharma. As a certified B Corporation since 2019 and a Benefit Corporation in Italy, the US, France, and Colombia, Chiesi is committed to sustainable business practices and has set ambitious goals to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035. The company invests significantly in R&D, allocating over 24% of its revenues to research and development, making it one of the top Italian pharmaceutical companies for R&D investment. With a strong global presence and a focus on patient-centered innovation, Chiesi continues to expand its therapeutic offerings while maintaining its commitment to social and environmental responsibility.