Associate Director, Medical Strategy & Operations Lead - Ophthalmology (US Medical Affairs)

About This Role

The Strategy & Operations (S&O) Lead is a strategic partner within Biogen, who will take a lead role in owning and managing critical operational aspects of US Medical. The S&O Lead’s role focuses on two key objectives: The primary objective is to support strategic planning and execution of plans for the Ophthalmology Therapeutic Area (TA).  The secondary objective is to support the overall strategy and operational efforts for all of US Medical, in close collaboration with the Head of Medical Strategy, Operations and Excellence (MSOE).  This role will report into the US Medical TA Head for Ophthalmology.

The S&O Lead is a critical member of the TA medical leadership team.  They organize and prioritize critical issues and required information to facilitate decision making and serve as the primary strategic liaison between the Ophthalmology TA Head, members of the NAMLT, Global Medical Teams, and the US cross functional teams. Within this role, the person is expected to provide oversight and guidance to critical operational activities (e.g. decision support (AOP, ICP), audit readiness, meeting planning and execution, onboarding, project management, etc.) both across Ophthalmology. This role also serves as a key partner with Medical Operations worldwide network to drive consistency in approach across all of Biogen Medical. Biogen’s priority is to continue to foster and enable a diverse and inclusive workforce – representing age, gender, sexual identity, race, ethnicity, Veterans, and people with disabilities – that reflects the communities where we operate and the patients who we serve.

What You’ll Do

• Be a Trusted Strategic Partner to the US Head of Ophthalmology, including proactively highlighting business critical risks/opportunities, representing Ophthalmology at NAMLT as a delegate and planning / directing the most critical organizational, financial, and operational activities.

• Support building the overarching US medical RD strategy / plan in close collaboration with US Head of Ophthalmology members to ensure alignment and execution of the assigned targets.

• Having a deep understanding of business acumen, as the responsible person for financial oversight of the US Ophthalmology budget from development through execution.  The role may also require additional financial oversight of other US Medical areas.

• Project / Program management, including identifying, supporting, and leading continuous improvement efforts to reduce barriers of execution throughout all TAs and functions within US Medical

• Develop presentation and communication materials, in collaboration with US Medical leaders, in a clear and visually appealing manner suitable for sharing with different levels of the organization and / or externally.

• Responsible for ensuring US Medical stays on track to annual and long-term goals through supporting regular US Ophthalmology and US Medical reviews and Extended USMLT meetings.

• Orchestrate the Integrated Customer Planning (ICP) process within Ophthalmology (meetings, communications, collaboration), help drive medical input into, as well as integrate from, the Global and US Organizational ICP strategies

• Direct operations related activities, in partnership with US medical operation leads as well as other regional or global partners, including external engagements (e.g. ad boards, medical forums, and other KME interactions) and internal activities (e.g. contracting, audit readiness, material review, etc.)

• Manage information flow and ensure appropriate communication cascade among the matrixed medical and x-functional organization e.g. NAMLT, NALT, or board of director updates.

• Ensures alignment and integration with US affiliate and global medical teams through regular touchpoints and leading / participating in business critical workstreams.

• Drive a strong culture and environment that will foster accountability, teamwork and mutual trust and respect for all team members.

Who You Are

You have strong leadership skills, knowledge of biopharma industry standards and practices, and experience in Program Management and Business Process. While you hold accountability above all else, you must also possess the ability to generate enthusiasm, the ability to quickly gain trust and respect of peers and senior leadership and have a track record of successfully driving results through strong partnership with others.

Required Skills

• BA / BS required.  Advanced degree (MBA, MS, PhD, PharmD) preferred.

• 7+ years of relevant pharmaceutical industry experience required.  e.g. Medical Affairs, Pharmaceutical Operations, etc..

• Proven business acumen (e.g. business degree, MBA, or previous role(s) proving business acumen development) including financial planning required.

• Complex Program Management including very strong organizational, timeline management and leadership skills (including influence without formal authority) required.

• Excellent social competencies and ability to work in a highly matrixed organization effectively and efficiently.

• Excellent communication skills and strong ability to build and cultivate internal and external networks.

• Ability to take core Medical and business content and present it in a clear and visually appealing manner suitable for sharing with Biogen executives and external leaders.

• Sound medical-scientific knowledge.

• Proven track record of holding self and others accountable.

• Strong ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.

• Fast learner with strong ability to identify critical issues before they reach a crisis point and to timely develop and implement action items.

• Excellent analytical, strategic thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent command of computer skills (Excel, Outlook, Word, Power Point, etc.).

Preferred Skills

• Masters, PhD and/or MBA highly preferred.

• Experience working in an alliance is strongly preferred.

• Worldwide Medical / Medical Affairs functional knowledge preferred.

• Experience in therapeutic areas of specialty and in rare diseases preferred.

• Experience in long-range financial planning.

• Change management experience highly desired.

• Is open to and generates new innovations and embraces digital solutions.

Why Biogen?

Our mission to find therapies for neurological and rare diseases is a unique focus within our industry and this shared purpose is what connects us as a team. We work together to overcome obstacles and to follow the science. We are resilient as we strive to make an impact on our patients’ lives and on changing the course of medicine. Together, we pioneer. Together, we thrive.

Additional Information

Base salary offered is determined through an analytical approach utilizing a combination of factors including, but not limited to, relevant skills & experience, job location, and internal equity.

Regular employees are eligible to receive both short term and long-term incentives, including cash bonus and equity incentive opportunities, designed to reward recent achievements and recognize your future potential based on individual, business unit and company performance. 

In addition to compensation, Biogen offers a full and highly competitive range of benefits designed to support our employees’ and their families physical, financial, emotional, and social well-being; including, but not limited to:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, & Life insurances
• Fitness & Wellness programs including a fitness reimbursement 
• Short- and Long-Term Disability insurance
• A minimum of 15 days of paid vacation and an additional end-of-year shutdown time off (Dec 26-Dec 31)
• Up to 12 company paid holidays + 3 paid days off for Personal Significance 
• 80 hours of sick time per calendar year
• Paid Maternity and Parental Leave benefit 
• 401(k) program participation with company matched contributions
• Employee stock purchase plan 
• Tuition reimbursement of up to $10,000 per calendar year 
• Employee Resource Groups participation

Why Biogen?

We are a global team with a commitment to excellence, and a pioneering spirit. As a mid-sized biotechnology company, we provide the stability and resources of a well-established business while fostering an environment where individual contributions make a significant impact. Our team encompasses some of the most talented and passionate achievers who have unparalleled opportunities for learning, growth, and expanding their skills. Above all, we work together to deliver life-changing medicines, with every role playing a vital part in our mission. Caring Deeply. Achieving Excellence. Changing Lives.

At Biogen, we are committed to building on our culture of inclusion and belonging that reflects the communities where we operate and the patients we serve. We know that diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives make us a stronger and more innovative company, and we are focused on building teams where every employee feels empowered and inspired. Read on to learn more about Biogen.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. Biogen is an E-Verify Employer in the United States.