Executive Medical Director - Neuroscience

Why This Role Matters
Executive Medical Directors play a crucial role in shaping global medical strategies for innovative therapies. They act as the scientific and medical voice across the entire product lifecycle, ensuring that patient needs, clinical evidence, and regulatory considerations are integrated into drug development and commercialization. Their leadership helps pharmaceutical companies deliver safe, effective, and accessible treatments to patients worldwide.

Job Description
Novartis is seeking an Executive Medical Director – Global Medical Affairs, Neuroscience to join its leadership team in Hyderabad. This hybrid role involves leading global medical affairs strategies across the lifecycle of neuroscience assets. The Executive Medical Director will collaborate with research, development, and international medical affairs teams to guide clinical development plans, integrated evidence generation, and global medical strategy for innovative therapies.

Key Features of the Role
• Position: Executive Medical Director – Global Medical Affairs, Neuroscience
• Company: Novartis
• Location: Hyderabad
• Job Type: Full-Time
• Work Model: Hybrid

Responsibilities
• Lead the global medical affairs strategy for neuroscience assets across the product lifecycle
• Act as the enterprise medical voice representing medical affairs in asset development plans
• Develop and oversee integrated development and evidence generation strategies
• Implement global medical strategies including interventional studies, non-interventional studies (NIS), and real-world evidence (RWE) research
• Provide scientific leadership for complex programs with potential regulatory and pharmacovigilance challenges
• Collaborate with research, development, and international medical affairs teams to shape early portfolio strategies
• Develop medical launch plans, scientific publications, and medical education initiatives
• Build and manage networks of medical experts and external stakeholders
• Represent global medical affairs to regulatory bodies, scientific communities, and industry partners
• Ensure patient needs and access considerations are incorporated into medical and clinical strategies
• Maintain compliance with company policies and high medical quality standards

Required Qualification
• MD (Neurologist preferred) or PhD / PharmD in Neuroscience or Health Sciences
• Specialist qualification related to gene therapy or neuroscience is advantageous

Important Requirements
• Minimum 6+ years of pharmaceutical industry experience in medical affairs or clinical development
• Strong strategic thinking and leadership capabilities
• Ability to influence diverse stakeholders in global matrix organizations
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Deep understanding of healthcare systems, clinical development, and medical strategy

Employment Options
• Full-time leadership role
• Hybrid working model based in Hyderabad

What We Offer
• Opportunity to lead global medical affairs strategies for innovative neuroscience therapies
• Work within a leading global pharmaceutical organization
• Exposure to advanced drug development and evidence-generation programs
• Leadership and career growth opportunities within global medical affairs
• Competitive benefits and professional development programs

Experience and Skills
• Global medical affairs leadership
• Drug development strategy and lifecycle management
• Clinical research and evidence generation
• Scientific communication and stakeholder engagement
• Cross-functional collaboration across global teams
• Strategic portfolio and therapeutic area management

Salary Insights
• Salary not specified in the job listing
• Executive-level roles in global pharmaceutical companies typically offer highly competitive compensation packages with bonuses and executive benefits depending on experience

Company Overview
Novartis is a leading global pharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative medicines that improve and extend people’s lives. The company operates across multiple therapeutic areas including neuroscience, oncology, and rare diseases. Novartis emphasizes scientific innovation, patient-centered healthcare solutions, and a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.

FAQs

1. What experience is required for this role?
   Candidates generally require several years of experience in pharmaceutical medical affairs or clinical development along with strong leadership experience.

2. Is a neurology background required?
   An MD in neurology is preferred, but related expertise in neuroscience or health sciences may also be considered.

3. What is the primary focus of this role?
   The role focuses on global medical strategy, evidence generation, and leadership within neuroscience programs.

4. Is this a clinical or non-clinical position?
   This is a non-clinical leadership role within the pharmaceutical industry.

Application Tips
• Highlight leadership experience in pharmaceutical medical affairs or clinical development
• Demonstrate expertise in neuroscience or related therapeutic areas
• Showcase experience in global drug development and evidence generation strategies
• Emphasize collaboration with regulatory, research, and commercial teams