Medical Manager - Rare Diseases (Neurology & Metabolic)

About the role

AstraZeneca Rare Disease is looking for a Medical Manager, Rare Diseases (Neurology & Metabolic) to join its Medical Affairs team. You will lead the local execution of the Rare Disease Medical Strategy and turn Therapeutic Area priorities into country plans from late pre-launch through post-launch. You will act as a strategic medical partner, connecting clinical evidence, natural history and real-world data with healthcare-system realities and patient and caregiver insights to close the gaps that leave patients undiagnosed, unreferred or untreated.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and execute the local Rare Disease Medical Plan for Neurology and Metabolic portfolios, aligned with global, regional and Therapeutic Area strategies.
• Lead medical activities from L-18 through launch and post-launch, ensuring scientific, diagnostic and healthcare-system readiness.
• Address barriers along the patient journey: awareness, identification, diagnostic delay, referral to specialized centers, treatment initiation and long-term follow-up.
• Define and run medical strategies for prioritized centers and accounts with Market Access, MSLs, Government Affairs, Diagnostics and Patient Programs.
• Contribute to value propositions, health-economic initiatives and access strategies, and support technical discussions with payers, health authorities and policymakers.
• Lead local evidence generation for small populations, including registries, natural history and observational studies, RWE, publications and outcomes research.
• Strengthen diagnostic pathways with clinical laboratories, genetic and biomarker testing and scientific societies.
• Translate evidence into recommendations for Medical Affairs, Access, account strategy and healthcare policy.
• Support AI, data and digital initiatives that improve patient identification, diagnosis and care coordination.
• Build relationships with neurologists, metabolic and genetics specialists, pediatricians, internists, scientific societies, academic institutions and patient organizations.
• Represent Medical Affairs externally, coach and develop MSLs and field colleagues, and ensure compliance with AstraZeneca policies, Medical Governance, Pharmacovigilance, GxP and local regulations.
• Manage medical resources and budget according to strategic priorities and patient impact.

Required profile

• Medical Doctor, Pharmacist or healthcare professional with postgraduate training in a clinical or related health sciences field.
• 5-7 years of experience in Medical Affairs within the pharmaceutical industry.
• Experience in rare diseases, neurology, metabolic or genetic diseases, or other specialty and complex chronic conditions, including supporting launches or medical strategies.
• Experience working cross-functionally with Medical Affairs, Market Access, Government Affairs, Evidence Generation/RWE and external stakeholders.
• Strong scientific knowledge and ability to turn evidence into strategic recommendations, including with limited data and small populations.
• Understanding of healthcare systems, patient pathways, diagnostic and referral barriers and access challenges for high-cost therapies.
• Professional proficiency in English, written and spoken, and willingness to travel.

Preferred qualifications

• Advanced degree such as MD, PhD, PharmD, MSc or equivalent.
• Direct experience in rare diseases, including launch or pre-launch readiness.
• Experience in RWE, HEOR, registries, natural history studies or outcomes research.
• Experience with payers, health authorities, scientific societies or patient advocacy groups.
• People leadership, coaching or matrix leadership experience.
• Experience applying AI, data analytics or digital solutions to healthcare challenges.