Head Rare Diseases, US Medical Affairs

About This Role
The Head of Rare Diseases, US Medical is a critical leadership role within the US Medical organization, accountable for the strategic direction and execution of medical affairs activities across the Rare Diseases portfolio. This includes both marketed and pipeline assets in Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA), among other emerging indications. The portfolio spans early access programs, lifecycle management studies, and multiple launched therapies, each supporting patients with high unmet needs and representing major growth opportunities for Biogen.

As a key member of the North America Medical Leadership Team, this leader will report to the Head of Medical, North America. They will oversee a cross-functional medical team including Medical Directors, Field Director, and Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs), while collaborating closely with Global Medical teams, Regulatory, US Commercial, Market Access, and Value & Evidence Generation partners. This individual will represent the Rare Diseases medical perspective across senior leadership forums and ensure that the strategic priorities of the therapeutic area are aligned with broader corporate goals, all while advancing scientific knowledge, clinical impact, and patient outcomes.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the development and execution of the US Medical strategy across the Rare Diseases portfolio, encompassing multiple marketed products and late-stage development assets.

• Serve as the primary medical point of contact for Rare Diseases across US Commercial, Market Access, Global Medical, and Regulatory organizations.

• Oversee field medical strategy and operations for the Rare Diseases franchise, including Field Director and MSL teams.

• Provide leadership and strategic oversight for scientific content development, external stakeholder engagement, congress strategy, publications, and advisory boards.

• Ensure medical input is embedded in key cross-functional activities including lifecycle management, launch planning, and field enablement.

• Champion the integration of patient and HCP insights into strategic and tactical planning, ensuring a data-driven and customer-centric approach to decision-making.

• Lead with a performance-driven mindset, promoting accountability, innovation, and excellence across the Rare Diseases medical team.

• Mentor and develop medical affairs talent through intentional coaching, career path planning, and succession development.

• Represent Rare Diseases in cross-functional governance, promotional review committees, and compliance processes, ensuring rigorous execution and alignment with regulatory expectations.

• Manage and oversee the Rare Diseases medical budget, ensuring efficient resource utilization and investment in areas of highest impact.

Who You Are
You are a purpose-driven and strategic medical leader with a passion for advancing care in rare and complex diseases. You have experience leading medical teams, building collaborative relationships across stakeholders, and delivering meaningful impact for patients and the business. You thrive in complexity, operate with integrity, and create environments where high performance and empathy can co-exist.

Qualifications

Required Skills

• MD, PhD, PharmD, or DNP in a clinical or scientific discipline.

• 12+ years of Medical Affairs experience in roles with increasing responsibility and accountability for medical affairs planning & tactical execution.  

• 5+ years of experience leading Medical Affairs teams across multiple products or within complex therapeutic areas.

• Demonstrated experience in developing and executing medical strategies for both marketed and pipeline assets.

• Deep understanding of medical engagement, regulatory environment, field medical operations, and scientific communication.

Preferred Skills

• Experience in Rare Diseases or Neurology strongly preferred.

• Proven success launching and supporting multiple products within a portfolio-based medical model.

• Comfort working in a fast-paced, matrixed environment with high strategic visibility.

• Track record of building and leading high-performing teams with a focus on talent development and inclusive leadership.