Director Medical Affairs, Rare Epilepsies Evidence Generation

Lundbeck•Deerfield, IL

25d•Remote

About The Position

Do you want to join a team where the mission is meaningful, the challenges are complex, and you can directly see the results of your hard work? Lundbeck is a global biopharmaceutical company focusing exclusively on brain health. With more than 70 years of experience in neuroscience, we are committed to improving the lives of people with neurological and psychiatric diseases. Lundbeck employees are inspired and driven by our purpose to advance brain health and transform lives. Join us on our journey of growth! Remote/Commuter Opportunity - Open to candidates within the United States SUMMARY: The Director of Rare Epilepsies Evidence Generation within US Medical Affairs will report to the Senior Director and Head of Rare Epilepsies, US Medical Affairs. As a strategic partner and leader across the enterprise, research, development, and commercial functions, the Director ensures the alignment of Developmental Epileptic Encephalopathies (DEEs) strategies with the needs of patients, healthcare professionals, payers and policy makers. The Director will drive medical insight generation, material development, scientific communications, external engagement, and/or strategic evidence generation by collaborating across functions to support launch readiness and lifecycle planning.

Requirements

Doctoral degree (PhD, PharmD, or MD.)
5+ years of progressive, non-field-based Medical Affairs experience in the pharmaceutical, biotech or medical device industry.
Minimum 2+ years’ experience with contribution to medical strategy development, launch readiness, scientific communications, publication planning, and medical congress management for rare diseases; at least 1 year driving medical strategy and execution for a rare neurology asset.
Led implementation of evidence generation initiatives, including study protocols, registries, and pull-through publication planning.
Designed and executed Medical Education programs (CME and non-CME) aligned with brand and medical objectives.
Served as a medical reviewer in the promotional materials review process, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and scientific integrity.
Collected, analyzed, and translated clinical and scientific insights to inform strategic planning and stakeholder engagement.
Applied strong scientific acumen, analytical thinking, and problem-solving to support data-driven decision-making.
Built and sustained collaborative relationships across cross-functional teams and external scientific experts.
Led and developed team members, managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, evolving environment with a strong patient focus.
Communicated complex scientific and clinical information effectively with clarity, precision, and impact.
Maintained the highest standards of integrity, ethics, confidentiality, and professionalism.
Proven ability to engage externally as an authentic, long-term member of the rare disease community — collaborating as an equal with patient advocacy groups (PAGs), clinicians, and industry partners.
Demonstrated experience partnering respectfully and effectively with PAGs and patient families as informed collaborators in research and education.
Recognized and trusted within the rare disease ecosystem for authenticity, transparency, and enduring community commitment.
Deep understanding of rare disease best practices, including advocacy engagement, access and policy initiatives, media relations, and patient support programs.
Skilled in developing and executing innovative strategies through trusted partnerships with rare disease leaders, clinical societies, and alliances (e.g., Rare Disease Caucus, PFDD Consortium, FDA Rare Disease Center of Excellence).
Highly proactive, solution-oriented, and comfortable navigating unstructured or evolving environments; able to deliver results with limited data or defined processes.
Brings genuine passion and purpose — perceived as a credible, mission-driven contributor by rare disease stakeholders.
Possesses a well-established network within the rare disease community and demonstrated ability to mobilize cross-sector collaboration to drive progress.

Nice To Haves

Strong Preference to be based in Deerfield, IL Office
8+ years of rare disease industry experience including preparing for and launching a rare neurology treatment.
Epileptologist with established relationships within the Rare Epilepsies KOL and advocacy communities.
Direct accountability for creating and managing a real-world rare disease registry partnership with KEEs.
Direct accountability for phase IIIb/IV study design and execution for a rare disease.
Past responsibility for managing IIT process.
FDA regulatory knowledge and direct exposure.

Responsibilities

Lead brand evidence generation plans, partnering cross-functionally and globally on design and execution of Phase IIIb/IV studies, registries, and real-world evidence and present plans to broader teams and leadership as needed.
Build US Investigator‑Initiated Trial strategy, review proposals, and present to leadership for review and approval.
Lead internal and external initiatives to identify evidence gaps, prioritize, and execute in partnership with internal stakeholders such as Clinical, economics and outcomes, and real-world evidence teams to achieve results in a timely manner.
Create opportunities for collaboration with external experts on research to progress knowledge for the field of rare epilepsies that aligns with Medical Affairs strategy.
Partner with patient advocacy groups compliantly on opportunities for patient- and caregiver-focused research as appropriate.
Support Market Access teams on evidence strategy to strengthen product’s value.
In partnership with publication lead, build and execute a strategic publication plan for research projects.
Provide US perspectives to Global teams on evidence strategy and needs.
Provide medical perspectives to internal stakeholders (Commercial, Market Access, Regulatory, Clinical Development, Pharmacovigilance etc.) ensuring clinical and scientific alignment with integrated evidence generation plans.
Identify, develop, and maintain strong networks with key external stakeholders including investigators, thought leaders and healthcare practitioners by fostering productive partnerships.
Remain intimately aware and abreast of evolving disease area trends and competitor activities to continuously anticipate changes and assess impact to US and Global scientific and brand strategy.