Senior Medical Director (Rheumatology)

Warman O'Brien; España; Remote; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Warman O'Brien invites applications for a Rheumatology Medical Strategy Lead to influence multiple clinical development programmes across rheumatology. This fully remote role partners with biotech and pharma sponsors to shape development strategy and solve complex clinical challenges.

You will collaborate with clinical, regulatory, operational and commercial teams to develop strategies, advise on trial design, and guide programme execution across indications and modalities.

Qualifications

• Must hold a medical degree with specialist qualification in rheumatology.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in rheumatology or related field.
• At least 3 years’ experience in or supporting the biopharmaceutical industry.
• Experience in clinical development, clinical research or translational medicine.
• Strong understanding of protocol design, development planning and clinical trial execution.
• Ability to communicate confidently with sponsors, KOLs and senior internal stakeholders.
• Demonstrated business acumen and interest in cross-functional environments.

Responsibilities

• Shape clinical development strategies in rheumatology across multiple programmes.
• Advise on protocol design, feasibility, and standards of care for trials.
• Provide insight into mechanisms of action and compound-specific considerations.
• Support scientific discussions during client engagements, proposals, and bid defenses.
• Collaborate with commercial and operational teams to win and deliver complex programmes.
• Act as a scientific advisor throughout the research and development lifecycle.
• Contribute to presentations, thought leadership, and industry engagement.
• Monitor the rheumatology landscape to influence future strategy.

Skills

Clinical development

Protocol design

Stakeholder communication

Business acumen

Scientific leadership

Education

MD with rheumatology specialization

Job description

EU/UK | Fully Remote | Competitive Package

Are you a rheumatologist looking to influence multiple clinical development programmes rather than focus on a single pipeline?

We’re supporting the search for a medical leader to join the Rheumatology Centre of Excellence within one of the world’s leading clinical development organisations. Working across a varied portfolio of autoimmune and rheumatic disease programmes, you’ll partner with biotech and pharma sponsors to shape development strategy, solve complex clinical challenges and support the development of innovative therapies.

This is a highly strategic, externally facing role combining scientific leadership, clinical development expertise and commercial influence.

The Opportunity

As the Rheumatology Medical Strategy Lead, you’ll act as a trusted scientific advisor to sponsors developing therapies for rheumatic diseases. You’ll work alongside clinical, regulatory, operational and commercial teams to develop effective clinical strategies, support business growth and provide expert guidance across multiple client programmes.

You’ll have the opportunity to influence a broad range of programmes across different indications, treatment modalities and stages of development.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Partner with biotech and pharma sponsors to shape clinical development strategies in rheumatology
• Advise on protocol design, feasibility, standards of care and clinical development planning
• Provide insight into mechanisms of action and compound-specific considerations
• Support scientific discussions during early client engagement, proposal development and bid defence meetings
• Work alongside commercial and operational teams to win and deliver complex rheumatology programmes
• Act as a scientific advisor throughout the research and clinical development lifecycle
• Contribute to presentations, thought leadership and industry engagement
• Monitor the evolving rheumatology landscape and help shape future strategy

We’re Interested in Speaking to Physicians Who Have

• A medical degree and specialist qualification in rheumatology
• Five or more years of relevant experience
• A minimum of three years’ experience within or supporting the biopharmaceutical industry
• Experience in clinical development, clinical research or translational medicine
• A strong understanding of protocol design, development planning and clinical trial execution
• The ability to communicate confidently with sponsors, KOLs and senior internal stakeholders
• Strong business acumen and an interest in working across scientific, operational and commercial environments

Why This Role?

This is an opportunity to apply your clinical expertise across multiple rheumatology programmes and help shape how new therapies are developed. You’ll work at the intersection of science, strategy and clinical development, collaborating with a broad range of biotech and pharma sponsors.

If you’d be interested in learning more, I’d be happy to arrange a confidential conversation.