Therapeutic Area Lead, Specialty Care

AbbVie•Toronto, ON

About The Position

AbbVie is seeking a Therapeutic Area Lead, Specialty Care to join their Neuroscience & Specialty Care Medical Affairs team. This role will lead the development and execution of Medical Affairs strategies for Specialty Care, with a focus on Ophthalmology/Eye Care and Virology/Infectious Disease. The individual will be a key member of the Neuroscience & Specialty Care leadership team, contributing to franchise priorities, cross-functional alignment, and strategic decision-making. Responsibilities include providing leadership to Medical Affairs professionals, supporting asset launches, evidence generation, clinical trial development, and ensuring compliant medical execution. AbbVie Canada is recognized as one of the Best Workplaces in Canada.

Requirements

Doctorate, PharmD or MD in a scientific discipline is required.
Relevant experience with solid knowledge of the biotech/pharmaceutical industry, preferably within Specialty Care.
Strong knowledge of drug development, clinical research, clinical trial design and evidence generation in relevant therapeutic areas, including local and/or affiliate-led studies.
Experience in Ophthalmology/Eye Care and/or Virology/Infectious Disease, with demonstrated ability to rapidly build expertise in complex Specialty Care therapeutic areas.
Proven medical leadership experience, including management, coaching and development of Medical Affairs professionals such as Medical Advisors, Medical Science Liaisons and other medical associates.
Experience supporting asset or product launches, including launch readiness, scientific communication planning, external expert engagement and cross-functional execution.
Ability to build strong relationships with external experts and other relevant stakeholders.
Ability to think and plan strategically and translate strategies into actionable, realistic medical actions with execution excellence.
Strong commitment to compliance, scientific quality and integrity.
Solid working knowledge of the health care environment and evolving landscape.
Organizational, analytical and financial acumen to prioritize work, monitor progress, track data and activities, and manage budgets.
Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, Word, etc.).
Must be at ease with new technology/ digital tools and the use of various tools/systems to perform day-to-day tasks.
Travel required about 20-30% of the time.
Valid driver’s license and passport.
Advanced amount of knowledge of English / Fluency in English is an essential requirement.

Nice To Haves

The title of this role (within the AbbVie title structure) is Medical Manager, we have adapted the title to the market as this role is not an operational role.

Responsibilities

Establish the vision, strategy and goals for Specialty Care Medical Affairs, aligned with clinical gaps, asset strategy, brand priorities and the evolving Ophthalmology/Eye Care and Virology/Infectious Disease landscape.
Act as an active member of the Neuroscience & Specialty Care leadership team, contributing to strategic priorities, governance discussions, cross-functional alignment and leadership team decisions.
Lead, develop and coach Medical Affairs professionals, including Medical Advisors and Medical Science Liaisons, with accountability for performance management, professional development and succession planning.
Define, measure and monitor relevant Medical Affairs metrics to assess team impact, identify improvement opportunities and coach Medical Science Liaisons to maintain an externally focused mindset anchored in customer needs, scientific exchange and stakeholder impact.
Maintain regulatory and compliance best practices, allocate resources effectively and protect AbbVie’s reputation through compliant execution of clinical and brand strategies.
Manage the Specialty Care Medical Affairs budget, including investments related to local studies, evidence generation, launch readiness and medical plan execution.
Lead or supervise local clinical trials, evidence generation plans, real-world evidence initiatives and the review, approval and fulfillment of Investigator-Initiated Studies.
Build and maintain strategic relationships with key clinical investigators, external experts and relevant medical stakeholders.
Oversee Medical Affairs tactics, including advisory boards, consultation plans, publication plans, congress activities and scientific exchange initiatives, ensuring alignment with cross-functional partners and local procedures.
Develop and execute field-based and affiliate medical plans across marketed products, pipeline assets and launch brands, ensuring scientific support throughout the product lifecycle.
Gather and share competitive and scientific insights that may inform development programs, launch readiness and marketed product strategies.
Partner with Medical Affairs colleagues across affiliates to promote consistency, share best practices and support aligned execution.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to execute stakeholder engagement plans and ensure integration across medical, commercial, market access and regulatory priorities.
Maintain deep and current scientific knowledge of assigned Specialty Care therapeutic areas, with emphasis on Ophthalmology/Eye Care, Virology/Infectious Disease, emerging data and external scientific.