Head of Medical Affairs, DACH

Position Overview

Exact Sciences now Abbott is dedicated to delivering patient critical answers across the cancer journey from early detection to treatment decision making. With a strong focus on people and an empathetic spirit, which fuels the company’s culture, driving them to create and deliver solutions rooted in the needs of patients, providers, and families.

From earlier cancer detection to treatment guidance and monitoring, Exact Sciences now Abbott are helping people get the answers they need to make more informed decisions across the cancer continuum. With a leading portfolio of products for earlier detection and treatment guidance, they help people face the most challenging decisions with confidence with a dedication to continuously innovate, combining scientific rigor with an open-minded approach to deliver the next big thing.

Exact Sciences is continuously expanding the pipeline with the aim of tackling a wider array of cancer tests through the following measures:

Expanding the Oncotype IQ platform to include liquid and tissue-based tests, all with the goal of making cancer care smarter.

Adapting biomarker-based technologies create a liquid biopsy capable of detecting cancers and precancers from a blood sample.

Using their proven multi-marker approach to achieve analytical sensitivity needed to discriminate between normal and cancerous samples.

Collaborating with world-class clinicians and scientists at Mayo Clinic to identify biomarkers associated with the 15 deadliest cancers.

Building a cancer detection platform upon learnings from the development of Cologuard® (commercially available in the US only).

By 2020, Oncotype DX will have been used to guide treatment decisions for more than 1 million cancer patients worldwide in breast, prostate and colon cancer.

The company’s global headquarters are in the United States and its International headquarters are in Zug, Switzerland.  The International region includes Europe, Canada, Africa, Asia Pacific, Latin America.

 

The Principal Medical Affairs, Germany is responsible for medical affairs activities in selected key markets across International. These markets will include Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, Poland, Israel and the Middle East Africa region. The number of markets may increase in line with Exact Sciences continuing expansion in the international region.

Representing the medical function, this individual manages research and educational medical objectives, while supporting commercial business and reimbursement objectives for the Oncotype DX portfolio of products, most notably, the Oncotype DX Breast Cancer Assay.

Near term business objectives include supporting growth of the breast assay by partnering with local third-party organizations or providing direct support to the market.

The Principal Medical Affairs, Germany plays a key role in providing medical information and education through scientific exchange in a fair-balanced manner to Medical Oncology, Surgeons, and Pathology Key Opinion Leaders as well as other healthcare professionals in breast cancer. In time, they may support other new product introductions in oncology. In addition, the role supports the company’s R&D and investigator-initiated studies in the development and commercialization of genomic assays that lead to improved treatment decisions for oncology patients.

This position requires professionals with established personal and scientific creditability to interact with thought leaders, government health authorities, and medical centers of excellence.

Essential Duties

Include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

Develop a Medical Affairs Strategic Plan for the region, which include plans for Key Opinion Leader engagement, educational and guideline initiatives and reimbursement initiatives that align with the business objectives.

Support medical education, reimbursement needs, and physician customer support through distributors (MEA/Israel).

Identify and engage international, national, and regional thought leaders in breast cancer within assigned international geographic regions to conduct scientific discussions and understand insights related to molecular diagnostics in early breast cancer management, while also establishing and maintaining professional relationships with them.

Act as primary contact for investigators interested in developing and performing studies with the company’s commercially available assays in breast cancer.

Assist in R&D and investigator-initiated studies (e.g. Decision Impact studies) as appropriate.

Lead national and regional Advisory Boards when external advice is needed.

Execute international medical education and support marketing in accurate, unbiased material development.

Provide clinical presentations and information in academic, community, and healthcare provider setting in both group and one-on-one situations.

Support & partner with regional team to deliver key medical activities.

Develop medical slides, give medical training presentations, and training in internal meetings and for partner distributors.

Support international access & reimbursement with medical and scientific expertise.

Assure compliance with relevant corporate policies and European regulatory requirements.

Provide feedback and medical input to local commercial plans and strategies.

Skills

Excellent oral, written, and presentation communication skills.

Ability to independently deliver quality results in a timely manner.

Highest integrity and ethical behavior.

Mutual respect for colleagues.

Collaborative within teams; uses resources carefully and can build a great place to work and grow.

Ability to interact within culturally diverse teams.

Business acumen and innovative mindset.

Ability to manage though complexity and ambiguity, while focusing on the end goal.

Ability to act with an inclusion mindset and model these behaviors for the organization.

Maintain regular and reliable attendance.

Travel Requirements

Ability to travel up to 40-50% of working time away from work location, may include overnight/weekend travel.

Minimum Qualifications

Degree in Medicine/Medical Doctor or PhD, PharmD.

3+ years of therapeutic clinical experience desired.

6 to 8 years of industry experience (working in pharma/biotech/med tech).

Expertise in Oncology. Experience in breast/GI/lung cancer is a plus.

Extensive experience in managing KOLs.

Experience in relevant geographies a plus.

Excellent English & German mandatory.

Excellent oral, written and presentation communication skills.

Ability to independently deliver quality results in a timely manner.

Proven record of working in matrix environment and delivering as part of a cross-functional team.

Track record of delivering innovative Medical activities across markets.

Eligibility to work in Germany without sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in Diagnostics or Biotech industry is a plus.

Skills in additional languages preferred.

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, creed, disability, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and any other status protected by applicable local, state, or federal law. Applicable portions of the Company’s affirmative action program are available to any applicant or employee for inspection upon request.