Do you want to join a team where the mission is meaningful, the challenges are complex, and you can directly see the results of your hard work? Lundbeck is a global biopharmaceutical company focusing exclusively on brain health. With more than 70 years of experience in neuroscience, we are committed to improving the lives of people with neurological and psychiatric diseases. Lundbeck employees are inspired and driven by our purpose to advance brain health and transform lives. Join us on our journey of growth!
SUMMARY:
The Senior Director, Head of Field Medical – Rare Neurology will lead the strategic development and execution of the pre-launch and post-launch Medical Science Liaison (MSL) function. This role is responsible for building and scaling a high-performing field team, driving scientific engagement, and ensuring alignment with medical, clinical, and commercial objectives throughout the product lifecycle. The ideal candidate is a seasoned field medical team leader with rare epilepsy and movement disorders expertise, strong operational capabilities, and a proven track record in pre-launch preparation and post-market support for a rare neurology treatment.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Pre-launch Team Build-Out & Strategy
- Design and implement an impactful national MSL strategy to support pre- and post-launch objectives.
- Recruit, onboard, and train a field team with expertise in rare neurological diseases.
- Define territories, engagement plans, and scientific messaging aligned with medical strategy.
- Scientific Engagement
- Identify and cultivate relationships with key opinion leaders (KOLs) and clinical experts.
- Guide team in initiating early, compliant scientific dialogue to build disease awareness and support clinical development.
- Identify sites for registry, HCPs for council/speakers; support trial recruitment and early access initiatives.
- Medical Insights & Launch Readiness
- Capture, synthesize and report field insights to inform clinical, regulatory, and commercial planning.
- Prepare field medical for launch through innovative strategy, resources and training.
- Collaborate cross-functionally to align field strategy with broader launch plans.
- Post-launch Scientific Support & education
- Oversee ongoing scientific exchange with HCPs, ensuring accurate and balanced communication of product data.
- Support post-marketing studies, real-world evidence generation, and publication planning.
- Monitor evolving medical landscape and update field materials and training accordingly.
- Field Operations & Impact
- Implement performance metrics and dashboards to assess MSL impact and engagement quality.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory and internal standards across all field activities.
- Optimize field operations, resource allocation, and territory alignment based on market dynamics.
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Serve as a key member of the Medical Affairs Rare Neurology leadership team, contributing to strategic planning and lifecycle management.
- Collaborate with Clinical Development, Regulatory, Market Access, and Commercial teams to ensure integrated execution.
- Represent the MSL function in internal governance forums and external scientific engagements.
- Lead, manage, coach, and develops the Rare Neurology Medical Affairs Field team to support high performance, and to align with strategic direction for Lundbeck, as well as anticipates personnel future training needs, talent development and resource planning.
REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, and SKILLS:
- Acredited advanced doctoral degree (PharmD, PhD, MD) required.
- 8+ years of experience in medical affairs, including 2+ years in field medical leadership roles and at least 1 year leading a field team in rare disease.
- Demonstrated success in building a field medical team pre-launch and leading one post-launch.
- Excellent ability to generate insights, think strategically, identify novel solutions, proactively anticipate needs, learn continuously, engage genuinely and resolve conflict.
- Balance of determination to overcome challenges, and flexibility to align with others.
- Experience with and ability to work within regulatory, legal, compliance and ethical framework for pre- and post-approval engagement.
- Driving is an essential duty of this job; must have a valid driver’s license with a safe driving record that meets company requirements.
- The role is part of Lundbeck’s Vehicle Fleet Stipend Program and requires business use of a personal vehicle. More information on the stipend program can be foundhere.
Rare Disease Capabilities and Leadership
- 8+ years of experience in field medical affairs, including 5+ years in field medical leadership roles and at least 2 leading a field team in rare disease.
- Recognized as an authentic, long-term leader within the rare disease community – fostering trust and collaboration with patient advocacy groups (PAGs), clinicians, and industry partners.
- Demonstrated track record of building strategic alliances with PAGs and patient families as research collaborators, ensuring patient perspectives shape scientific priorities.
- Trusted and respected voice within the rare disease ecosystem, known for transparency, empathy, and sustained community engagement.
- Deep expertise in rare disease best practices including patient services program development and support.
- Experienced in navigating complex, resource-limited environments and leveraging flexibility in rare diseases to advance patient access.
- Highly proactive and solutions-oriented, capable of driving organizational progress in ambiguous or unstructured settings.
- Brings a mission-driven mindset – combining scientific rigor with empathy, credibility, and purpose to inspire cross-functional and external collaboration.
- Maintains a broad network within the rare disease ecosystem, effectively mobilizing partnerships and coalitions to accelerate shared goals.
PREFERREDEDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, and SKILLS:
- Established network of KOLs in rare epilepsies and movement disorders.
- Experience leading a field medical team for rare neurology launch(es) in both pre and post launch phases.
TRAVEL:
- Willingness/Ability to travel up to 60% domestically.
The range displayed is a national range, and if selected for this role, may vary based onvarious factorssuch as the candidate’s geographical location, qualifications, skills,competencies,andproficiencyfor the role.Salary Pay Range:$270,000 – $320,000andeligibilityfor a30%bonustargetbased on company and individual performance,and eligibility toparticipatein the company’s long-term incentive plan.Benefits for this position include flexible paid time off (PTO), health benefits to include Medical, Dental and Vision, and company match 401k.Additional benefits information can be found on ourcareer site. Applications accepted on an ongoing basis. #LI-LM1, #LI-Remote
Why Lundbeck
Lundbeck offers a robust and comprehensive benefits package to help employees live well and protect their health, family, and everyday life. Information regarding our benefit offering can be found on the U.S. career site.
Lundbeck is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to disabled veterans and other individuals with disabilities during our employment Application process. If, because of a disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please visit the U.S. career site.
Lundbeck is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by law, rule, or regulation. Lundbeck participates in E-Verify.