VP Or Svp, Head Of Medical Affairs

Scholar Rock is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and delivers life-changing therapies for people with serious diseases that have high unmet need. As a global leader in the biology of the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) superfamily of cell proteins and named for the visual resemblance of a scholar rock to protein structures, the clinical-stage company is focused on advancing innovative treatments where protein growth factors are fundamental. Over the past decade, the company has created a pipeline with the potential to advance the standard of care for neuromuscular disease, cardiometabolic disorders, cancer, and other conditions where growth factor-targeted drugs can play a transformational role.   Scholar Rock is the only company to show clinical proof of concept for a muscle-targeted treatment in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). This commitment to unlocking fundamentally different therapeutic approaches is powered by broad application of a proprietary platform, which has developed novel monoclonal antibodies to modulate protein growth factors with extraordinary selectivity. By harnessing cutting-edge science in disease spaces that are historically under-addressed through traditional therapies, Scholar Rock works every day to create new possibilities for patients. Learn more about the company’s approach at ScholarRock.com and follow @ScholarRock and on LinkedIn.

Summary of Position:

The VP or SVP, Head of Medical Affairs, reporting to the Chief Medical Officer, will be a member of the Development and Medical Affairs Leadership Team (DMLT), responsible for building and leading a high-functioning Medical Affairs team. The successful candidate will be accountable for the development and execution of medical affairs strategy and plan for Scholar Rock’s portfolio of products and pipeline. This position requires a highly motivated leader with hands-on experience in evidence generation, scientific communication, stakeholder engagement, early access program, as well as experience building and leading global and regional medical teams. This individual will serve as a strong partner for counterparts in R&D and Commercial. 

Position Responsibilities:

• Build and lead a strong Medical Affairs team across global and regions, accountable for effective execution of medical affairs activities; serve as a player-coach as required
• Serve as a strategic partner to internal stakeholders from R&D to Commercial
• Provide oversight for medical affairs activities across global and regions by partnering with program teams to track key milestones
• Lead a cross-functional team in a coordinated effort to develop an integrated evidence generation strategy and ensure timely execution of Medical Affairs led studies, including post-approval observational studies, disease registries, and patient surveys
• Lead cross-functional review & approval of investigator initiated studies as well as local and/or regional medical affairs study proposals
• Ensure Medical Affairs contribution to development activities, including medical input on patient reported outcome measures to pivotal study design
• Partner with Clinical Development to ensure timely and impactful communication of scientific and clinical data and effective training of internal teams
• Lead effort to ensure strong medical and scientific presence at key congresses
• Collaborate with stakeholders to develop early access strategy and plan, accountable for effective execution of early access plan
• Partner with Clinical Operations team to provide strong Medical Affairs support for company sponsored studies, including site selection, engagement, enrollment, and in select cases, study closing
• Collaborate with R&D and commercial stakeholders to develop and implement an integrated stakeholder engagement strategy and plan; oversee engagement activities of stakeholders across global and regions, including leading / facilitating advisory board meetings
• Ensure effective partnership with local and/or regional stakeholders both internally and externally to support reimbursement applications and patient access

Candidate Requirements:

• MD, PhD in life sciences, or PharmD
• Located in the greater Boston area
• 10+ years of medical affairs leadership experience, including hands-on experience in evidence generation, early access program, building and leading global and regional medical teams, is required
• Demonstrated reputation as a well-respected, dynamic team leader with strong leadership and people management skills
• Strong track record of delivering results with excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
• Capable of managing shifting priorities in a rapidly changing and environment
• Prior experience working in the neurology and/or rare diseases preferred but not required
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally (~20%)

The Special Traits of the Ideal candidate:

• Energized by a vision to change the world through innovation (in both what we do and how we do it); a catalytic leader who strives to make that happen
• Integrity in thought and action, creativity, team-centric mindset, integrative thinking, ability to influence decision-making without dictating, exceptional communication skills, the ability to inspire, and being a “hands-on doer” who leads from the front, not a “politician or presider”