Reference Number: R2873011
Position Title: Medical Director One Rare
Department: Medical Specialty Care Canada
Location: Toronto, Ontario (Hybrid)
About Sanofi
We’re an R&D-driven, AI-powered biopharma company committed to improving people’s lives and delivering compelling growth. Our deep understanding of the immune system – and innovative pipeline – enables us to invent medicines and vaccines that treat and protect millions of people around the world. Together, we chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives.
About the Job
Join the team transforming care for people with immune challenges, rare diseases, cancers, and neurological conditions. In Specialty Care, you’ll help deliver breakthrough treatments that bring hope to patients with some of the highest unmet needs.
The Medical Director One Rare is a senior medical leader within the Sanofi Specialty Care Canada Medical Affairs team. This individual will define and drive the medical strategy and execution for both the Rare Diseases and Rare Blood Disorders therapeutic areas in Canada. As a people leader, they will manage and inspire a medical team serving as a coach, mentor, and champion for their team's growth and impact.
This role sits at the intersection of science, strategy, and humanity. The Medical Director, One Rare will be the Canadian medical voice for some of the most complex and meaningful conditions in medicine — partnering with rare disease and rare blood disorders specialists, payers, and regulators to ensure that every eligible patient in Canada has access to the best possible care. This is a role for a leader who is as passionate about people — patients, caregivers, and team members alike — as they are about science.
For more than 40 years, Sanofi has dedicated itself to patients, families, and healthcare providers navigating the extraordinary challenges of diagnosing and managing rare conditions. With over 7,000 known rare diseases affecting 400 million patients and their families worldwide, the need for innovation, compassion, and relentless commitment has never been greater.
Within Sanofi Specialty Care, our One Rare franchise brings together our Rare Diseases and Rare Blood Disorders portfolios under a unified, patient-first vision: "We help enable fulfilling futures for extraordinary people, no matter how rare their condition." We listen to and learn from patients and their families. Their voices shape our science, our strategies, and our purpose.
Main responsibilities:
A. Medical Strategy & Leadership
- Define and lead the Canadian medical affairs strategy for Rare Diseases and Rare Blood Disorders, aligned with global and regional priorities
- Develop and execute the Medical Affairs Plan (MAP) for all assigned therapeutic areas within the One Rare portfolio
- Serve as the primary Canadian medical expert and scientific voice for the One Rare franchise, representing Sanofi's scientific leadership internally and externally
- Contribute to lifecycle management strategies, pipeline development, and launch readiness activities for current and future rare disease and rare blood disorder assets
- Provide strategic medical input into brand planning, market access strategies, and reimbursement submissions
- Support the development of diagnostic and treatment pathways to improve early identification, timely diagnosis, and optimal management of patients living with rare and ultra-rare conditions
- Build and maintain trusted, long-term relationships with our partners
B. People Leadership & Team Management
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of direct reports covering both Rare Diseases and Rare Blood Disorders across Canada
- Set clear, meaningful objectives aligned with medical and organizational priorities; provide regular, constructive feedback and support the career development and growth of each team member
- Foster a high-performance, inclusive, and deeply patient-centric team culture grounded in empathy, scientific rigor, and shared purpose
- Manage team resources, workload allocation, and performance reviews with fairness and transparency
- Champion a culture of compassion and deep understanding of the patient and caregiver journey — recognizing that in rare diseases, every patient counts and every interaction matters
C. Scientific Engagement & External Stakeholder Management
- Build and maintain trusted, long-term relationships with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), rare disease specialists, metabolic disease centers, hemophilia treatment centers (HTCs), academic institutions, patient advocacy groups, and healthcare professionals across Canada
- Lead and support advisory boards, scientific symposia, medical education initiatives, and patient/caregiver education programs
- Represent Sanofi at national and international medical congresses, rare disease forums, hemophilia conferences, and patient advocacy events
- Engage with Health Canada, Canadian Blood Services, CDA, INESSS, and provincial payer bodies on scientific and medical matters relevant to the One Rare portfolio
- Partner closely with rare disease and hemophilia patient advocacy organizations to ensure the patient and caregiver voice is meaningfully integrated into medical strategy and decision-making
D. Evidence Generation & Data Dissemination
- Oversee the design and execution of local evidence generation activities, including investigator-initiated trials (IITs), patient registries, real-world evidence (RWE) studies, and patient-reported outcomes (PRO) research
- Support Canadian participation in global rare disease registries and natural history studies
- Ensure timely, accurate, and compliant dissemination of clinical and scientific data to relevant stakeholders
- Review and approve medical content — including publications, scientific slide decks, medical information responses, and patient/caregiver materials — for scientific accuracy, balance, and compliance
E. Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner closely with Commercial, Market Access, Regulatory, Patient Safety, and Patient Advocacy teams to ensure integrated, patient-focused strategies across the One Rare portfolio
- Collaborate with global and regional Medical Affairs teams to align on priorities, contribute Canadian insights, and leverage global scientific resources
- Provide medical and scientific guidance to support reimbursement submissions, health technology assessments (HTAs), and compassionate/special access programs for rare disease patients
- Work with cross-functional teams to optimize patient support programs, access pathways, and continuity of care initiatives
F. Compliance & Governance
- Ensure all medical activities comply with Sanofi's internal policies, Health Canada regulations, Innovative Medicines Canada Code of Ethical Practices, and all applicable laws and guidelines
- Champion a culture of ethics, integrity, patient safety, and transparency within the team and across all external engagements
- Ensure adherence to pharmacovigilance requirements and timely reporting of adverse events in accordance with Sanofi's safety obligations
G. Distributor Partnership & Medical Oversight
In the rare disease and rare blood disorder space, Sanofi partners with specialized distributors who play a critical role in ensuring patients receive timely access to complex therapies. Given the highly specialized nature of these medicines robust medical oversight of distributor partnerships is essential to safeguard patient safety, ensure scientific accuracy, and maintain the highest standards of care.
- Serve as the primary medical point of contact for distributor partnerships related to rare disease and rare blood disorder medicines in Canada
- Act as the key medical liaison between Sanofi and our distributor, serving as the medical bridge between both organizations to ensure aligned medical strategies, consistent scientific communication, and optimal patient access
- Provide medical oversight and guidance to distribution partners to ensure consistent, accurate, and compliant medical information and support across all interactions with healthcare professionals and patients
- Collaborate with distributors on medical education, training, and scientific communication activities to ensure alignment with Sanofi's medical strategy and standards
- Review and approve medical content and materials developed by or for distribution partners, ensuring scientific accuracy, balance, and compliance with Health Canada regulations and Innovative Medicines Canada guidelines
- Ensure alignment of medical strategies and messaging between Sanofi and distribution partners, particularly in the context of rare disease treatment protocols and patient management guidelines
- Support distributor partners in addressing medical inquiries, adverse event reporting, and pharmacovigilance requirements, ensuring timely and compliant escalation in accordance with Sanofi's safety obligations
- Monitor and evaluate the quality of medical support provided through distributor partnerships, identifying opportunities for continuous improvement and capability building
- Facilitate knowledge transfer and capability building with distributor medical teams, ensuring they are equipped to support healthcare professionals and patients with the scientific rigor and compassion that rare disease communities deserve
About you
Required Qualifications:
- MD, PhD, PharmD, or equivalent advanced scientific/medical degree
- Minimum 5-8 years of experience in pharmaceutical/biotech industry with at least 7 years in medical affairs, medical education, or related fields
- Demonstrated experience in Rare Diseases and/or Rare Blood Disorders therapeutic areas (e.g., hemophilia, lysosomal storage disorders, metabolic diseases, or other rare conditions)
- Proven people management experience with a track record of building, developing, and inspiring high-performing teams
- Deep understanding of the Canadian rare disease landscape, including Health Canada regulations, HTA processes (CDA, INESSS), provincial reimbursement pathways, and patient access challenges specific to rare and ultra-rare conditions
- Strong scientific acumen with the ability to translate complex rare disease data into clear, actionable medical strategies
- Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to connect meaningfully with diverse audiences — including specialists, patient advocates, payers, and regulators
- Proven experience working with external partners from a distribution model
- Bilingualism (English/French) is a strong asset given the Canadian market context
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working with hemophilia treatment centers (HTCs) or rare disease centers of excellence
- Knowledge of enzyme replacement therapies, substrate reduction therapies, gene therapies, or other novel rare disease modalities
- Experience with patient registries, natural history studies, or real-world evidence generation in rare disease settings
- Familiarity with compassionate access programs and special access pathways in Canada
Key Competencies and Skills:
- Matrix Leadership and Influence: Exceptional ability to lead, influence, and drive results without direct authority — navigating complex organizational structures to achieve objectives through persuasion, credibility, and strategic relationship-building.
- Scientific Leadership: The ability to guide teams and decisions using deep scientific expertise, staying current with medical evidence and translating complex data into actionable insights.
- Strategic Thinking: The capacity to anticipate trends, set long-term priorities, and align medical affairs activities with broader organizational and therapeutic area goals.
- People Leadership & Coaching: The ability to inspire, develop, and empower team members through mentorship, feedback, and creating an environment where individuals can grow and perform at their best.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Building and maintaining productive relationships with key internal and external stakeholders — including KOLs, payers, and regulators — to advance shared objectives.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Working effectively across departments (e.g., commercial, regulatory, clinical) to align strategies, share knowledge, and deliver integrated solutions.
- Patient & Caregiver Centricity: Keeping the needs, experiences, and outcomes of patients and their caregivers at the center of every decision, strategy, and interaction.
- Empathy & Compassion: Demonstrating genuine understanding and care for the emotions and perspectives of colleagues, patients, and partners to foster trust and psychological safety.
- Compliance & Ethics: Upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and regulatory compliance in all professional activities and decision-making.
- Data Insights & Evidence Generation: The ability to design, interpret, and communicate real-world evidence and clinical data to support medical strategies and inform healthcare decisions.
- Advocacy & Influence: Championing important causes — for patients, science, or the organization — and persuading stakeholders through credible, evidence-based communication.
Travel:
- Approximately 30-40% travel, including domestic and international travel to attend congresses, advisory boards, educational events, and internal leadership forums
Why choose us?
- Bring the miracles of science to life alongside a supportive, future-focused team.
- Discover endless opportunities to grow your talent and drive your career, whether it’s through a promotion or lateral move, at home or internationally.
- Enjoy a thoughtful, well-crafted rewards package that recognizes your contribution and amplifies your impact.
- Take good care of yourself and your family, with a wide range of health and wellbeing benefits including high-quality healthcare, prevention and wellness programs
What Sanofi Offers
🚀 Shape the future of digital medical affairs at a leading pharmaceutical company
💡 Work with cutting-edge technologies — AI, and next-gen digital health platforms
🤝 Collaborate in an innovative, inclusive environment that values bold ideas
📈 Grow your career through robust development programs and North American exposure
🌍 Be part of a mission-driven company committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion
This position is for a new vacant role that is now open for applications.
Applications received after the official close date will be reviewed on an individual basis.
AI Usage
"Artificial Intelligence” refers to any systems that use automated processes, including algorithms and machine learning, to analyze data and make predictions, inferences, decisions, or recommendations without direct human involvement. These systems may process personal information to identify patterns, improve services, or support decision-making. The Company may use Artificial Intelligence for purposes including, but not limited to, resume screening and hiring, scheduling interviews or meetings, conducting surveys, matching skills with potential job openings, interview scoring, ensuring compliance with regulations applicable to our industry, and activities related to performance evaluation. Information collected and processed by the Company’s Artificial Intelligence systems may include the personal information detailed above and calendar availability. It excludes the information collected and processed for monitoring purposes. You should contact Human Resources if you have a question or concern regarding your personal information. You can also contact Canada’s Privacy Officer via Sanofi’s data subject request portal, Data Subject Rights Webform. The Data Subject Rights Webform can also be used to request access or correction of your personal information and file a complaint.
Sanofi is an equal opportunity employer committed to culture, inclusion, and experience. Our goal is to attract, develop and retain highly talented employees, allowing us to benefit from a wide variety of experiences and perspectives. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified applicants. Accommodations for persons with disabilities required during the recruitment process are available upon request.
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Pursue progress, discover extraordinary
Better is out there. Better medications, better outcomes, better science. But progress doesn’t happen without people – people from different backgrounds, in different locations, doing different roles, all united by one thing: a desire to make miracles happen. So, let’s be those people.
At Sanofi, we provide equal opportunities to all regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, ability or gender identity.
Watch our ALL IN video and check out our Diversity Equity and Inclusion actions at sanofi.com!
North America Applicants Only
The salary range for this position is:
$144,100.00 - $208,166.66
Final compensation will be determined based on demonstrated experience, skills, location, and other relevant factors. Employees may be eligible to participate in Company employee benefits programs, and additional benefits information can be found through the (CA)LINKOR (US) LINK.
La fourchette salariale pour ce poste est la suivante:
$144,100.00 - $208,166.66
La rémunération finale sera déterminée en fonction de l'expérience démontrée, des compétences, du lieu de travail et d'autres facteurs pertinents. Les employés peuvent être admissibles à participer aux programmes d'avantages sociaux de l'entreprise, et des informations supplémentaires sur les avantages sociaux peuvent être trouvées via le lien