Medical Director-Pain

Job Description

General/Position Summary.

The Medical Affairs Medical Director will provide medical leadership for the Canadian Pain Team. This role will be accountable for the development and implementation of the Canadian medical strategy and plans and will work in partnership with other cross functional team colleagues to ensure access to company's products, develop and implement cross functional country plans aligned with patient, HCPs' and broader corporate needs.

This role is responsible for building and encouraging scientific excellence within the team and engaging in close partnerships with HCPs and scientific societies.

This role will also be responsible for financial planning and budgetary adherence of medical affairs activities. This role will work closely with a cross-functional group that includes Commercial, Market Access, Global, North American Medical Affairs organizations, Public Affairs and Corporate Communications, Legal, Compliance (OBIE), Regulatory, Research & Development, HRBP and Finance.

The Medical Affairs Medical Director will lead and develop a team of MSLs responsible for engaging in scientific exchange with thought leaders in Pain. The Director will establish the long‐term vision, strategy, plans, objectives, and infrastructure for the MSL team. This role will be accountable for execution of the medical affairs program strategy, and assuring Medical Science Liaison activity execution within expected scope, budget and timelines.

Key Duties & Responsibilities.

• Provides comprehensive expertise and guidance in the Acute Pain Area and Vertex drugs
• Develops and maintains professional relationships with local Health Care Professionals, and with local Professional Societies
• Establishes relationships with Thought Leaders to expand research opportunities for Vertex and develops, at local level, advisory, collaborative and/or educational activities aligned to the Vertex strategy.
• Establishes and ensures flawless execution of the Canadian Medical Operational Plan, in accordance with corporate policies and procedures and applicable local laws and regulations.
• Serves as the reference person for medical input and support to the local operations; supports other Vertex functions so that the appropriate patients in Canada may have access in a safe manner to the benefit of Vertex pain product(s).
• Ensures that the scientific data provided locally to Health Care Professionals and Health Care Authorities is provided with a fair and balanced view.
• Acts as the local medical contributor and reviewer/approver of Field Medical Material (proactive and reactive), Promotional Material, Access Material and Medical Information Material for local use.
• Maintains a seamless flow of information within and between the local structure, and communicates medical insights obtained locally from appropriate field interactions to inform local and regional strategy/tactics.
• Develops and maintains high level of industry, regulatory, clinical and scientific knowledge.
• Leads a field team of scientific professionals.
• Manages a team of MSLs to implement field initiatives ensuring the development of best practices and through partnership with Vertex's brand medical colleagues, deliver scientifically-based materials that are compliant with all legal, regulatory, and company guidelines.
• Leads the development and execution of Vertex's external engagement and educational strategies for centers of excellence, HCP's, and thought leaders.
• Identifies key deliverables, insights, and metrics that highlight the value of the MSL organization, the impact to HCPs/Thought Leaders, and to the Vertex organization while ensuring goal achievement.
• Collaborates with Field Medical Operations and Medical Excellence to lead the identification of gaps and develops solution-oriented tools, technology infrastructure and training requirements necessary to fulfill field medical activities.

Required Education Level Minimum level of education needed  

• MD, Pharm D or PhD

Required Experience 

• 10 years of experience in pharmaceutical industry

Required Knowledge/Skills

• Experience in Medical Affairs within the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry
• Ability to work across a complex matrix organization and influence at all levels
• Maintains a high level of expertise and judgment in relation to both technical and ethical aspects of a medical director role and responsibilities
• Ability to both anticipate issues and be flexible and reactive to situations
• Experience in pain therapeutic area or management
• Knowledge of national healthcare and regulatory environments indispensable, previous interactions with TGA an advantage
• Excellent understanding of the reimbursement mechanisms in location and of the acceptability of PE models and PRO research by national payers  
• Experience in scientific interactions with payer bodies is essential
• Knowledge and understanding of marketplace dynamics
• Track-record of ability to plan, initiate and complete projects within allotted time frames & delivering high quality successful results
• Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team on common projects and goals, at national and regional level
• Capacity to critically analyze current scientific literature
• Good understanding of the basics of health economics and patient outcomes
• Skilled in effective presentations of clinical/scientific data in a group or individual setting, internally and externally
• Competence in the use of IT tools and standard software programs, including the conduct of Web-based meetings
•  English language fluent, written and spoken. French language is an asset.

Flex Designation:

Flex Eligibility Status:

In this Hybrid-Eligible role, you can choose to be designated as: 
1.    Hybrid: work remotely up to two days per week; or select
2.    On-Site: work five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility.

Note: The Flex status for this position is subject to Vertex's Policy on Flex @ Vertex Program and may be changed at any time.

Company Information

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation.

Vertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Vertex is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. Vertex will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.

Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should make a request to the recruiter or hiring manager, or contact Talent Acquisition