Medical Senior Manager

About Almirall

We care. Through pharmaceutical innovation and a strong commitment to global healthcare partnerships, we are committed to providing tools, knowledge and science to improve the health of patients worldwide. We research, develop, manufacture and commercialize our own medicines as well as a portfolio of licensed products tailored to the needs of different therapeutic areas. Today, our products are available in over 70 countries on 5 continents through 15 subsidiaries.

Almirall is an international biopharmaceutical company based in Barcelona. Our strategic focus is on skin health. In order to achieve our corporate goal "Transform the patients' world by helping them realize their hopes & dreams for a healthy life.", we as a team give our best every day. Because our mission is to improve the quality of life of skin patients, understand their needs and use science to provide innovative medical solutions. The patient is always at the centre of everything we do. To fulfil our mission, we are continuously expanding our portfolio and focusing on promising innovations, particularly in the field of biologics.

Our Culture

At Almirall, our Noble Purpose is at the core of our work: “Transform the patients' world by helping them realize their hopes and dreams for a healthy life”. We invest in differentiated and ground-breaking medical dermatology products to bring our innovative solutions to patients in need. We listen to the patient and physician responding to their needs and helping them get the treatments they need. We are driven by science, diligent by nature. 

We have a successful history in Dermatology space which places us well to create a strong footprint into specialty immuno-dermatology.

You can find more information about Almirall through this link: : EEVP Almirall (publicaciones-digitales.cVP Almirall (publicaciones-digitales.com)

Position Summary/Mission

Provide medical leadership for the Almirall focus, primarily focusing on Psoriasis, and also Actinic Keratosis and pipeline in the UK and Ireland and forging deep insights from clinical and academic opinion leaders.

Contribute to, and deliver, the medical strategy for the UK and Ireland in line with wider global and regional Medical Affairs and business needs and provide leadership to ensure a scientifically credible service is delivered to both internal and external customers.

Fulfil a non-selling role which develops and delivers clear and balanced communication based on scientific and clinical data in order to ensure safe use of Almirall medicines, and builds mutually valued partnerships between Almirall and scientific & clinical stakeholders.

Core Responsibilities

1. The Medical Manager will provide medical insight and leadership for the psoriasis and AK portfolio and pipeline to the business (up to 50% Time Allocation)

• The role will be responsible for all aspects of Medical Affairs including medical expertise of disease management and existing medicines in psoriasis and actinic keratosis, leadership of country led studies, Medical Expert mapping and contact, and Medical Expert relationship development. The role will work closely with Commercial, Regulatory, Pharmacovigilance colleagues and other teams, e.g. Value & Access, Sales, Medical Information, Quality and Publications.
• In collaboration with the Medical team, devise and implement the UK medical strategy and operational plan for the allocated therapy, franchise(s) or medicine(s) consistent with plans for global Dermatology division.
• Further to leading strategy, key responsibilities include risk management, scientific input to recalls/alerts, Medical Expert development and building the Almirall brand and corporate positioning via customer meetings and presentations, colleague training, marketing support and promotional compliance activities as required.
• Provide leadership and support to the Field Medical Team (i.e. Medical Science Liaison) with regards to the Almirall portfolio and pipeline, as applicable, working together to support the medical plan.
• Ensure that all Almirall activities are carried out ethically and in a fully compliant manner in accordance with Almirall policies, country laws and regulations. Advise the business and act as an ABPI Signatory.
• Take active role as a key member of the wider Almirall Medical Affairs team at a global level to ensure it meets and exceeds its goals.
• Responsibility for the provision of medical input to relevant national, regional and local Market Access submissions (eg NICE/SMC)
• Contribute to the development of the cross-functionally aligned operational plan, in support of country strategies.
• Provide technical support to the cross-functional UK business
  • Identify trends in the evolution of patient care in the UK and advise the business on potential impact and opportunities for change.
  • Identify key on-label medical knowledge that needs to be disseminated: assess and advise on the best method of communication.
  • Deliver scientific presentations to HCPs/other external stakeholders (reactively in response to unsolicited requests or proactively by organising and delivering own meetings, in accordance with the ABPI Code requirements)>
  • Provide Medical and Scientific input into regional and local brand-related formulary decision making. Presenting clinical evidence to formulary committees if required.
  • Partner Medical, Value & Access and Commercial teams to establish effective & 'joined up' communication with UK Medical Experts.
  • Support interactions with payers by providing clinical data as needed.
• Collaborate effectively with cross functional teams with a proactive approach which is solution orientated
  • Work with Regulatory Affairs to manage implications of changes to the medicine/brand risk/benefit portfolio
  • Provide regular updates on competitor horizon scanning to internal colleagues
  • Form and maintain an effective working partnership with the Brand Team, providing accurate and compliant input as needed
  • Support Medical Information & the Compliance Manager to deliver high quality product training.
  • Support ongoing training for Almirall employees relating to therapeutic topics.

Core Responsibilities (cont'd)

2. The Medical Manager will engage with key clinical and academic experts as a Medical Affairs expert for the psoriasis, AK portfolio and pipeline. (50% Allocation)

• Define and deliver a medical plan for the agreed strategic accounts in the UK and Ireland.
  • Define key field-based medical activities with comprehensive engagement plans and detailed project plans as necessary.
  • Ensure alignment of plan with Medical Brand Plan through collaboration with other medical colleagues (MSLs, HO & Global)
  • Ensure that all medical projects are budgeted and delivered within budget.
  • Support publications that relate to the Medical evidence plan. Communicate publications and provide training whenever appropriate. Deliver regional formulary support planning
  • Obtain and communicate Medical Expert insights and provide feedback on product development, life-cycle strategies and post-approval strategies.
• Provide a timely field-based enquiry service for defined Almirall medicines/pipeline in response to unsolicited medical requests and medical information procedures.
• Under specific direction from the UK Medical Director, support the development and delivery of UK & Corporate medical activities including late stage trials, independent investigator research and other relevant medical projects in partnership with HO based colleagues.
  • Ensure effective implementation of regional clinical research activities in line with product strategy through successful relationship building with key regional clinicians and researchers
  • Contribute to site selection, participate in investigator meetings, and participate in medical advisory panel discussions with clinical and research leaders as necessary.
  • Develop and maintain a thorough understanding of the UK sites actively involved in ongoing Almirall clinical trials within the therapy areas
  • Understand the potential for UK sites to be engaged in future R&D activities and proactively put them forward for consideration
  • Support QA and pharmacovigilance departments to enable compliance of UK sites
  • Support the medical review of safety reports and listings as appropriate
  • Participate, if requested, in initiatives to optimize patient recruitment, working in partnership with the appointed Contract Research Organisation
  • Work collaboratively with HO Medical team, communicate ongoing progress regularly and align Medical Expert communications
  • For marketed medicines, propose Phase IV plans that address unmet medical needs in the UK
  • Provide oversight and be a point of contact for Investigator Initiated Studies
• Participate in partnership working with external scientific, research and clinical stakeholders
  • Establish the scientific credentials of Almirall by undertaking appropriate scientific discussions with relevant Medical Experts
  • Establish enduring peer-to-peer relationships with key opinion leaders, scientists, clinical and research leaders and institutions in the UK and Ireland
  • Interpret and discuss scientific and clinical data in a meaningful and compliant way
  • Address medical issues (e.g. patient access, research funding) and to discuss Almirall's related activities in a relevant, timely and Code-compliant way
  • Understand the potential for UK Sites to be engaged in future R&D activities

Core responsibilities (cont'd)

• Engage with experts in relation to Advisory Board activities
  • Participate in the development, organisation and implementation of Advisory Board Meetings under direction from the Medical Director. Seek to obtain appropriate feedback that will inform Almirall on future strategies
• Maintain in depth scientific knowledge in areas of the company's strategic interest including patient perspectives
  • Apply and share knowledge with the organisation to support the development of product knowledge expertise amongst Almirall employees
• Proactively share insights to support company goals for both short and long term
• • Share updates, insights and feedback with Medical HO team colleagues and the Brand Team.

3. Lead and embed a culture, way of working and processes that support an impactful and fully compliant operational environment

• Ensure that patient safety is paramount, and act in accordance with this
• Ensure own knowledge and training is up-to-date at all times
• Adhere to all relevant laws, regulations (such as the ABPI Code of Practice) at all times
• Be fully compliant with all Almirall procedures and policies
• Adhere to pharmacovigilance reporting timelines (within one day)
• Provide up to date and evidence based medical and ABPI Code advice to colleagues and input to ross-functional teams to enable business opportunities within current regulatory requirements
• Create and deliver effective medical materials/presentations in the internal material approval system in accordance with the Company SOPs.

Required Education & Experience

• Medical university degree (Medicine/Pharmacy) with current UK registration as a Medical Practitioner or Pharmacist is mandatory
• The ideal candidate will be experiences Medical Affairs leader with knowledge of and a track record of delivery in dermatology field as a clinician or within the pharmaceutical industry
• Dermatology/immunology knowledge is preferred either through clinical practice and/or pharmaceutical roles
• In depth knowledge of the ABPI Code of Practice, Experienced medical reviewer ad signatory is mandatory
• Proven relationship building with key opinion leaders
• Experience of creating/contributing to NICE?SMC submission would be preferred
• Professional level language proficiency in English, both oral and in written communications
• Knowledge of commercialisation and business practices
• Knowledge of Regulatory Affairs and drug safety practices
• Ideally experience of Phase IV clinical study management and conduct
• Ideally scientific publications record.

Skills

• Team player - proactively sharing, coaching and supporting colleagues
• Solution-focused problem-solving approach
• Strategic thinking in relation to Medical Affairs dovetailing into regional objectives & plans in the franchise
• Effective planning and time management. Able to work effectively even when all information is not available. Able to work effectively through change
• Development of valuable business relationships, Ability to manage external stakeholders across a variety of scenarios - from Medical Experts to government bodies and patient associations
• Excellent business acumen - astute to business changes and potential of the service, Sensitivity to business leads and application of commercially sensitive information
• Information management skill - retrieval, interpretation and application of detailed diverse scientific information from appropriate sources. Excellent attention to detail and quality
• Complementary analytical, scientific and business skill-sets - to analyse/appraise the diverse clinical, biomedical and scientific details, delivering considered conclusions. Application of sound professional judgement. Practical application of information on Almirall and competitor portfolio. Ability to analyse the competition and identify & exploit key weaknesses
• Understanding and application of relevant country legislation, medical and research ethics, copyright law, data protection laws, local promotional compliance regulations. In depth knowledge of UK and healthcare systems.
• Working in a matrix organisation, leveraging off other businesses and functions be an equal player in scarce resource allocation discussions
• Support marketing colleagues to segment the market and lead medical input into planning process for Dermatology
• Clear, concise and comprehensive verbal and written communications. Be straightforward and act in time. Abliity to present in an effective and compelling manner to various stakeholders
• Full practical knowledge and efficient application of business software and web systems.