Medical Director HEME United Kingdom

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Job Description

Medical Director (MD) Haematology - UK

The Medical Director (MD) will provide medical leadership for Haematology in the country. The colleague will report directly into the UK and Ireland Country Medical Director and will also be part of the local regional Medical LT.

The MD will be accountable for the development and implementation of Country Medical Haem strategy and plans and will work in partnership with cross functional team colleagues to develop and implement cross functional country plans aligned with patient, HCPs’ and broader corporate needs.

The Haem MD is also responsible for building and encouraging scientific excellence within the country and will establish and maintain close partnerships with HCPs, scientific societies and patient organisations. It is estimated that around 25%of the MD’s time will be external to the home office- working with these stakeholders

They will also work closely with a cross-functional group that includes Commercial, Market Access, Global, International Medical Affairs organizations, GAPP and Corporate Communications, Legal, Compliance (OBIE), Regulatory, Research & Development, HRBP and Finance. The individual will report to the UK/Ireland country medical director and also work closely with International Haematology Medical Lead.

General Key Responsibilities

Demonstrate consistent ethical and professional behavior, with uncompromising commitment to patients.

The Haematology Medical Director will manage one MSL.

Ensure all medical involvement and activities are executed in full compliance with Vertex policies, UK laws and regulations and codes of practice.

Build reputation and visibility of Vertex at the country level by providing fair and balanced medical information, communication and education to various stakeholders, supporting research and relevant data generation with the ultimate goal of supporting the safe and effective use of Vertex’ medicines in the appropriate patients.

Work closely with the cross-functional UK/IRE team to ensure their behaviors is consistent with a culture of integrity, transparency and respect, as per Vertex values, throughout the organisation.

Medical Strategy

Develop and ensure flawless execution, via the medical team, of the Haem Medical Strategic and Operational Plan, aligned with the Global and International Medical strategy and local plans, and in accordance with corporate policies and procedures and applicable local laws, regulations, and code of practice.

Participate in the development of Life Cycle Management (LCM) Plans

Drive data generation studies/projects to enhance medical-scientific knowledge in the Therapeutic Area(s) and ensure implementation of RWD initiatives and LCM plans in country, as appropriate

Provide feedback on Global Development Programs to ensure local needs are taken into account.

Scientific Excellence

Develop and maintain high level, clinical and scientific knowledge in all Vertex therapeutic areas.

Maintain a seamless flow of information within and between the local structure and the International HQ, and communicate medical insights obtained locally from appropriate field interactions to inform local and regional strategy/ tactics.

External Partnerships

Ensure excellent working partnerships are developed with Health Care Professionals (HCPs) based on scientific excellence and trust

Partner with HCPs to provide and obtain insights on therapeutic area issues and questions

Establish relationships with External Experts to expand research opportunities

Develop, at local level, advisory, collaborative and/or educational activities aligned to the Vertex strategy

Contribute to transparent and successful partnerships with national scientific societies, patient organisations, relevant payers, policymakers and relevant industry associations.

Medical Communication

Provide fair and balanced medical information and education to health care professionals and HTA/payer stakeholders that support the safe and effective use of Vertex’ medicines in the appropriate patients

External presentations (local advisory board meetings, symposia, other medical education meetings) to enhance the medical knowledge of pipeline and marketed products, as required and in accordance with local regulations and procedures

Ensure adequate internal training is provided to medical and XFT, contribute individually as appropriate.

Compliance And Pharmacovigilance

Ensure compliance of medical activities at country level with country Code of Conduct, rules and regulations, company policies, SOPs, GCP and ICH

Assess local promotional materials and ensure that all claims are fully supported by scientific data, and are presented in an accurate, fair and balanced manner

Ensure self and other country medical staff have the required skills to identify and report AEs appropriately

Contribute to managing external communication when significant safety issues arise, with the wellbeing of patients being the ultimate goal.

Ensure all materials both promotional and non-promotional are reviewed as per the ABPI code of practice

Disease State, Portfolio, Brand And Access Support

Work in partnership with the cross functional team (XFT) colleagues to ensure that the appropriate patients have fair access in a safe and effective manner, develop and implement country cross functional plans aligned with patient, HCPs’ and broader corporate needs.

Ensure high level of support and contribution to access efforts through the preparation/review of reimbursement dossiers, scientific engagement of key stakeholders, presentation of scientific data as required to key stakeholders in the access process, incorporation of medical insights into strategy, perform data gap analysis relevant to access and support locally needed data generation as appropriate

Responsible for medical interpretation of data (clinical trials, registries, published literature, etc.) for in-development compounds and marketed medicines

Ensure medical team provides medical education and appropriate medical scientific support to XFT colleagues, as needed

Keep product and pipeline information up to date based on internal and external publications.

Cross Functional Collaboration

Work closely with internal and key external stakeholders, supporting Vertex’ strategy and bringing medical insights as well as support for HTA bodies, media, government and patient group activities, including policy development, corporate initiatives and issues management

Maintain a seamless flow of information within and between the local structure and International Medical Affairs, and communicate medical insights obtained locally from appropriate field interactions to inform local, regional and global strategy/tactics. Work with the International Centre of Excellence for Medical Education to support and implement appropriate & compliant local Medical Education events

Strategic alignment working cross functionally and partnering with other key functions at Vertex such as Commercial, Market Access, HEOR, Regulatory and Corporate Communications

Ensure own and team responsibilities and goals are aligned with the long term aims of the organization and other departments

Provides input and contribute to the global Therapeutic Area/s strategic imperatives, Medical Affairs objectives and tactics.

Keep close interaction and communications with Global and International Medical Affairs functions.

Work in strategic partnership with Regulatory, Pharmacovigilance, Medical Information, Clinical Development, Global Clinical Operations and Health Economics Outcomes Research teams in medical scientific questions

Support for issues related to supply and distribution, product quality, benefit-risk, market actions and product withdrawals.

Other Medical Activities

Facilitate appropriate and adequate implementation of compassionate use programmes in country

Ensure sourcing accurate epidemiology data in collaboration with local registries/other stakeholders, as applicable

Ensure medical team supports Investigator Initiated research aligned with strategic areas of interest and in a compliant fashion

Ensure appropriate Steering Committee meetings and advisory boards are held in accordance with local and company regulations. As appropriate leads such initiatives.

Clinical Trials

Facilitate scientific and thought leader medical affairs expertise into the feasibility, site selection, recruitment and issue resolution for Vertex Clinical Development Studies led by the Regional Site Advocate (RSA)

Ensure Medical team delivers successfully Site Initiation Visits.

Key Requirements

Medical Degree

Fluency in both spoken and written English

Final Signatory Experience Required

Strong experience in Haematology - previous clinician work experience

High ethical and scientific personal standards

Experience in orphan diseases

Leadership Skills And Experience

Track record of successfully leading a team

Experience with product launches and life-cycle management

Track record in effectively managing risk and compliance

Strong Business Acumen Knowledge and understanding of marketplace dynamics, knows the local health care system and keeps up-dated on changes in environment in the country, including rules and regulations

Previous track record of successful HTA submissions (as applicable)

Ability to work effectively in a highly matrix environment, within a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team on common projects and goals, at national and international level

Excellent communication and presentation skills

Learning agility

Ability to travel to meetings/trainings/programs as required

The Incumbent Must Demonstrate Ability For

Developing and maintaining high level of industry, regulatory, clinical and scientific knowledge; Maintaining a high level of expertise and judgment in relation to both technical and ethical aspects of a Medical Director’s role and responsibilities; Having a strong commitment to achieving corporate objectives while maintaining the highest ethical, regulatory and scientific standards.

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 at ApplicationAssistance@vrtx.com.