Medical Head Japan

This role is responsible for leading the medical Japan affiliate teams ensuring partnership with the crossfunctional team and establishing BIIB scientific leadership to address unmet medical needs for the Biogen portfolio in Japan.  

Head of Medical Japan in line with global medical strategy will be responsible for setting and executing the strategic direction for the medical function in Japan having overall responsibility for the implementation of all medical activities. The Head of Medical will lead and develop a team of highly capable medical professionals and embed a culture of building and maintaining trusted and valued scientific/medical relationships with the external healthcare community and stakeholders.  

The Head of Medical Japan will also provide technical and educational support in medical communications projects and initiatives to affiliate functions in relation to the disease and therapeutic areas within the Biogen portfolio including pipeline/development products. 

This role will be based in Japan affiliate office in Tokyo and will report full line to the GM Japan and dotted line to the Head of Medical BIR.  

Accountability Description 

Strategic Leadership: 

• Together with Japan Leadership team define the area strategy across all portfolio products.  Align the medical plans with commercial strategy and work crossfunctionally with key internal/external stakeholders to address unmet medical needs in Japan.  

• Lead the development and implementation of Japan medical plans partnering with the affiliate management teams across countries and across the functions to define establish and execute a coherent strategic plan that addresses patient needs 

• Ensure full alignment with regional/global strategy

External liaison 

• Develop and manage high quality Key Medical Expert engagement across Japan to ensure access to high quality external expertise and insights  

• Oversee the development and rollout of high valueadded continuous medical educational programs across all therapy areas for external stakeholders 

• Supervise the coordination of medical review of Japanspecific educational (and promotional at time of launch and beyond) materials to ensure scientific accuracy and clearly express a robust rationale for any objection and signoff before release

Internal liaison 

• Educate stakeholders in Japan organization about the local environment/landscape its medical needs challenges and opportunities 

• Advocate for Japan and provide medical perspective and knowledge to other teams within BIR region 

• Attract talent from other parts of the organization model each of the BIIB elements and foster a culture of high performance  

Qualifications :

Minimum Education Requirements 

• Advanced scientific or clinical degree (PharmD or equivalent PhD MD) or biomedical degree  

• Excellent communication/coordination/ 
  interpersonal skills 

Minimum Experience Requirements 

• Minimum 6 years of relevant experience in the Pharma industry (Medical Affairs) or clinical/scientific setting especially Japan market  

• Track record of people management and crosscultural management desired 

• Knowledge & understanding of the neurology & immunology disease areas preferred 

• Preferred understanding of drug development through clinical research 

• Knowledge and understanding of local health care system market dynamics and regulations 

• Experience in working within affiliate medical functions  

• Demonstrated leadership skills  

Additional Information :

Knowledge & Skills :

Technical Competencies: 

• Strategic & business acumen: Excellent understanding of strategic/business needs of Japan organization 

• Scientific acumen: Hold peer to peer relationships with top tier MS thought leaders 

• Statistical & data interpretation: Required for review and support of medical information 

• Medical writing as required 

• Experience in reviewing and approving promotional and nonpromotional materials and familiar with the relevant pharmaceutical codes of practice 

• Experience of operating as a final medical signatory 

Processrelated Core Competencies: 

• Strong process compliance documentation training and project management expertise 

• Focus on scientific exchange: interactions with top tier thought leaders physicians patient organizations and internal stakeholders 

• Communicating effectively: Ability to convey complex scientific concepts and information appropriately tailored to the audience (e.g. affiliate staff and regional/global Medical Affairs leadership 

Relating skills: 

• Strong ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders 

• Proactive selfstarter with good organizational and accountability skills 

• Excellent collaborative and interpersonal skills 

• Strong team spirit resultsfocused work with energy and urgency 

• Flexible mindset and see changes as a positive challenge 

• Fluent in spoken/written English  

Reporting Structure # 

• Number of Direct Reports (specify range):3 
• Number of Indirect Reports (specify range): 15 

Why Biogen

We are a global team with a commitment to excellence and a pioneering spirit. As a midsized biotechnology company we provide the stability and resources of a wellestablished 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 lifechanging 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 our DE&I efforts.