Medical Advisor - Cardiometabolic (JHB North)

Aspen Pharma Group; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 500,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading pharmaceutical company in Gauteng, Johannesburg is seeking a Medical Advisor to oversee the CardioMetabolic area. This strategic role involves collaborating with Brand Managers and Medical Affairs to maximize product value and ensure clear communication of medical expertise. The ideal candidate has a medical qualification and at least 2 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, along with strong project management and communication skills. The position offers a dynamic work environment focusing on scientific engagement and market knowledge.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years in the pharmaceutical industry or proven industry collaboration in academia.
• Experience with clinical study management and conduct.
• Knowledge of pharmaceutical product development and commercialization.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic input into the product lifecycle.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams on medical strategies.
• Cultivate relationships with external experts.

Skills

Medical strategy

Strong communication skills

Leadership

Project management skills

Customer orientation

Education

Medical qualification (MBChB) or equivalent life science qualification at least Masters level

Job description

Job title : Medical Advisor - Cardiometabolic (JHB North)

Location: Gauteng, Johannesburg

Overview

OBJECTIVE OF ROLE

This position is a strategic role for CardioMetabolic within the Medical Affairs organization. The Medical Advisor will provide strategic input into the different phases of a product’s lifecycle to maximize Aspen’s value proposition through the delivery of medical and scientific expertise. The Medical Advisor will collaborate with the Head of Medical Affairs, Brand Managers and Market Access Managers. You will be responsible for ensuring that medical and scientific knowledge is effectively communicated both internally and externally, ultimately contributing to the success of our products and services.

Responsibilities

• Product lifecycle management in collaboration with the Brand Manager and cross-functional teams.
• Lead and develop the Local Medical strategy and medical activities for the product(s) in accordance with internal and external regulations in close collaboration with the Head of Medical Affairs.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to support the development and execution of medical strategies and plans.
• Stay up to date with current medical and scientific developments in the assigned therapeutic area (TA) and provide training to internal and external customers.
• Demonstrate in-depth therapy area expertise and product knowledge including competitor data.
• Lead and drive rapid integrated evidence planning and execution through understanding of stakeholder evidence needs and data gaps analysis.
• Visit selected KOLs and study groups for strategic discussions on evidence generation.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with external experts.
• Manage internal and external relationships within area of responsibility.
• Ensure consistency and accuracy of medical content and scientific messages across tools and materials.
• Provide medical insights and expertise to support marketing and commercialization of TA products from a scientific perspective.
• Oversee in-sourced / outsourced medical programs and logistics.
• Conduct Local Advisory Board Meetings, Expert Panels and scientific engagement meetings SEM / CMEs.
• Develop and deliver scientific presentations and materials for internal and external conferences and meetings.
• Provide Medical expertise for pipeline products and for Health Technology Assessment (HTA) submissions.
• Utilize strong business acumen, acting as a key strategic business partner to the organization.
• Initiate and drive projects to raise standards of care and influence clinical practice.
• Work independently with a solutions-oriented and balanced approach to ambiguity.
• Drive collaboration with commercial and cross-functional teams, including marketing, value & access, health economics, regulatory and clinical.
• Foster collaboration with Alliance partners to ensure country involvement and input into global and regional plans.
• Ability to rapidly assimilate new data and integrate into new therapy areas.
• Create industry-leading digital educational and scientific content that is timely, relevant, interactive and innovative.
• Champion the patient voice when developing and implementing medical strategies.
• Demonstrate leadership by influencing across networks and by coaching and mentoring team members.
• Act as a medical resource for internal teams, including Marketing, Regulatory Affairs and Market Access.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, guidelines and company policies in all medical communications and activities.

Authority

• Signs off medical plans for the area of responsibility.
• Approves scientific content of Local symposia / workshops / publications / promotional materials / medical sections of reimbursement files.
• Approval of slide decks, resources and scientific speaker presentations.

Outputs

• Brand/ disease-specific parts of the medical plan.
• Local support for medical questions, feasibility and trial strategy.
• Local Product Lifecycle Plan.
• Protocols and other study documents for local studies.
• Medical expertise for the review of promotional and scientific documents (e.g., symposia, publications).
• Local R&D brand / disease related results according to goals and metrics.
• Provide relevant training to internal and external stakeholders.
• Develop understanding of HCP communication preferences to adapt communication style and optimize channel use.
• Implement informed scientific engagement journeys to drive ongoing engagement and meaningful scientific exchange.

Education

Educational Requirements

• Matric
• Medical qualification (MBChB), or equivalent life science qualification at least Masters level.

Knowledge & Experience

• Minimum of 2 years in the pharmaceutical industry or proven industry collaboration in academia.
• Experience in affiliate Medical Department or Clinical Development.
• Experience with clinical study management and conduct.
• Knowledge of commercialization and business practices.
• Knowledge of pharmaceutical product development, product lifecycle and commercialization process with understanding of Clinical Operations, Commercial, Regulatory, and Medical Affairs.
• Experience in the CardioMetabolic therapeutic area is advantageous.
• Experience with KOLs in the relevant therapeutic area.

Soft Skills

• Medical strategy and scientific expertise in the therapeutic area.
• Understanding of the impact and evolution of healthcare systems.
• Fluency in English, both oral and written.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to explain complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences.
• Excellent presentation skills.
• Continuously expanding medical and scientific knowledge as well as market knowledge.
• Strong clinical research knowledge (study design, study evaluation, medical writing, expert panel conduct, symposium and workshop management, KOL management).
• Strong customer orientation with a science-based approach.
• Ability to work in cross-functional teams.
• Leadership and collaboration with cross-functional networks.
• Ability to act independently with a solutions-oriented approach to ambiguity.
• Proficiency with Omnichannel tools and adapting to new channels/technologies.
• Ability to share unmet needs of HCPs with cross-functional teams to inform patient-centric strategy.
• Strong project management skills.
• Willingness to continuously expand medical, scientific, market, and industry knowledge.

Note: This description excludes non-relevant boilerplate and focuses on responsibilities, qualifications, and expectations for the role. EEO statements and legally required notices are retained where appropriate.