Nordic Medical Affairs Director

Do you have experience in Rare Diseases and a passion to make an impact for patients? Are you ready to take on a pivotal role leading medical affairs across the Nordics?

Haeger & Carlsson Executive Search and Interim is supporting Italfarmaco's Rare Diseases Cluster Nordics in the recruitment of a Nordic Medical Affairs Director.

This is a business-critical leadership role that will shape the future of Italfarmaco Rare Diseases in the region. You will lead and oversee all medical-scientific activities across the Nordic cluster, ensuring the effective execution of Italfarmaco's Rare Disease strategy with an initial focus on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). The role combines strategic vision with hands-on execution and requires a strong scientific mindset and a proactive, solution-oriented approach.

You will manage a team of field-based Medical Liaison Managers, drive the implementation of the European medical strategy locally, and as a member of the cross-functional leadership team collaborate closely with Market Access and Regulatory Affairs to support reimbursement processes as well as collaborate with the Commercial team to ensure patient access in the Nordic region. Building strong relationships with Key Opinion Leaders and external stakeholders will be essential, as will ensuring compliance with international and local regulations, as well as establishing a string internal network within Global Medical, R&D and Medical teams across Europe.

We are looking for a prestige-free, energetic professional with strong personal drive, flexibility, and a "can-do" attitude, someone who thrives on collaboration, embraces travel, and enjoys working where science meets strategy. You combine strategic thinking with a hands-on approach, build strong external networks quickly, and understand the complexities of market access in the Nordic healthcare landscape. Ideally, you bring previous experience in rare diseases or rare indications in the Nordics, as well as leadership experience or a strong motivation to step into a leadership role.

About the company

Founded in 1938 in Milan, Italy, Italfarmaco S.p.A is a private global pharmaceutical company that has led the successful development and approval of many pharmaceutical products around the world. Italfarmaco S.p.A. currently employs 3,500 people and has operations in more than 60 countries through directly controlled or affiliated companies. The company is a leader in pharmaceutical research, product development, production and commercialization with proven success in many therapeutic areas including immuno-oncology, gynecology, neurology, cardiovascular disease and rare diseases. Italfarmaco's rare disease unit includes programs in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Becker muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and polycythaemia vera.

Italfarmaco Nordics was established late 2023, and in this role, you will contribute to the shaping of the company within Rare Disease in the region. The corporate culture in the Nordics emphasizes drive, entrepreneurship, and strong determination to make a difference for people living with rare diseases.

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Key responsibilities

• Ensure seamless local execution of the European Medical Strategy for Rare Diseases, with initial focus on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).

• Adapt the European strategy to local realities and develop a cluster medical tactical plan, including monitoring of the medical budget.

• Lead the development, execution, and oversight of expanded access programs in compliance with local regulations.

• Establish and lead the local medical organization, providing subject matter expertise and overseeing medical research, communication, and education.

• Build and maintain strong collaborations with Key Medical Experts and other stakeholders to advance scientific exchange and therapeutic concepts.

• Act as the scientific expert for medical presentations and lead external medical education and internal training activities.

• Support clinical research initiatives, including Phase IV studies, registries, and investigator-initiated trials, in line with European strategy and local regulations.

• Serve as the main medical point of contact for patient organizations and ensure effective engagement at local and international medical congresses.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Market Access, Regulatory Affairs, and Compliance, to ensure aligned execution and adherence to laws and regulations.

• Recruit, develop, and manage Medical Liaison Managers, ensuring continuous training and high scientific standards.

• Plan and manage local medical budgets and oversee governance processes, including performance reviews and talent development.

Education & experience

• MD, PhD, or PharmD with a strong scientific background.

• Written and spoken proficiency in English; additional regional languages (Italian, Spanish, French, German) are an asset.

• Minimum 8+ years of experience in Medical or Scientific Affairs, preferably in Neurosciences.

• Poven track record in building and developing medical teams.

• Previous experience within rare diseases/rare indications, including setting up medical organizations and launching products at regional or global scale.

• Strong strategic, analytical, and project management skills.

• Experienced in collaborating and leading within cross-functional teams and matrix structures.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills; ability to translate complex scientific information into clear, understandable content.

• Experience in internal training, medical education, and expanded access programs.

• Strong networking skills and ability to build external relationships quickly.

• Solid background in planning and delivering research projects (Phase IV studies, registries, IITs).

The role reports to Head of Rare Disease Cluster with a dotted line to Medical Affairs Lead Rare Disease Europe and is based in Sweden, Denmark or Norway.

If you are passionate about advancing science in Rare Diseases and want to make a tangible impact on patients' lives, this is your opportunity to join a dynamic organization with an exciting pipeline. We look forward to your application.

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