Rhythm Pharmaceuticals

Company Overview

Rhythm is a global, commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to transforming the lives of patients and their families living with rare neuroendocrine diseases. We develop medicines for previously untreatable or undertreated diseases and provide meaningful support for healthcare providers and patients and their families. We recognise the courage it takes for patients and their caregivers to begin their journey of advocacy to find the answers they need. Their courage inspires us to challenge convention, ask bold questions and seek answers for them. Every day, we strive for excellence through our willingness to learn, adapt, and our tenacity to overcome barriers, together.

Opportunity Overview

Rhythm is seeking an experienced Medical Director responsible for the UK & Ireland, based in the UK. This role is central to shaping and executing scientific, strategic and operational excellence in the region with a strong focus on pre-launch planning, team development and stakeholder engagement.

The ideal candidate will have a sound medical background, deep scientific insight and strong business acumen. As a qualified ABPI final signatory, they will serve as a subject matter expert and trusted leader, driving Rhythm’s mission to transform the lives of patients and their families living with rare neuroendocrine diseases.

Reporting to the General Manager for the UK & Ireland you will collaborate closely with the commercial and International Medical Affairs team.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Provide scientific and medical expertise and support and serve as a subject matter expert
• Build, lead and develop the UK & Ireland medical team, building and managing the UK infield Scientific Affairs Managers (SAM) team
• Foster excellence and establish high standards in scientific and medical competence, value-based customer interaction, and project execution amongst the SAM team – set up and implement training/coaching measures as needed
• Develop individual strengths of all team members to shape a high-performing team
• Collaborate closely with the GM, local Marketing & Sales teams and the International Medical, Regulatory, Market Access and Legal teams to align on the UK & Ireland business plan, leveraging analytics, best practices and KPIs
• Develop and execute a highly efficient integrated Medical Affairs strategy for the UK & Ireland aligned with organizational objectives
• Act as the UK & Ireland final medical signatory, ensuring high standards of medical governance and compliance
• Navigate the market access landscape and liaise effectively with NICE and NCPE
• Foster relationships with leading Principal Investigators and External Experts, and relevant medical societies & patient organisations, thereby representing Rhythm and strengthening its reputation in its therapeutic areas
• Identify education gaps or unmet needs within the health care provider community and lead initiatives to address them through scientific exchange and educational campaigns
• Work closely with internal stakeholders across the product development lifecycle to influence clinical trial study design and identify, inform, and deliver on needs for post-marketing clinical trials and registries

Qualifications and Skills

• A doctor qualified to work in the UK with a Diploma in Pharmaceutical Medicine
• Preferred 8-10+ years’ experience in the biotech and/or pharmaceutical industry
• 5+ years leadership experience
• Preferred experience in Endocrinology, Genetics, Internal Medicine, or Paediatrics
• Rare Diseases knowledge is a plus
• Pre-launch and launch experience is a plus
• Track record in leading strategic medical projects and best-in-class tactical execution, as well as in customer interaction
• Ability to understand and effectively communicate scientific and medical data results and information to internal and external stakeholders
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Proven ability to work in a team environment and build solid working relationships within commercial and other functions nationally and internationally
• Demonstrate in-depth understanding of drug development and local regulations relating to promotional activities

This role will be home-office based. Candidates applying must be located in a centralized UK location and have easy access to transportation and airports.

More about Rhythm

Our lead asset, IMCIVREE® (setmelanotide), is a precision medicine designed to treat hyperphagia, an insatiable, pathological hunger characterized by abnormal food-seeking behaviors, and early- or rapid-onset severe obesity caused by an impairment of a pathway in the hypothalamus called the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) pathway. IMCIVREE® is the first and only approved therapy for certain rare MC4R pathway diseases in the United States, Europe, Great Britain and several other countries. In collaboration with leading experts across the world, Rhythm is advancing the most comprehensive clinical research program ever initiated in MC4R pathway diseases, including a Phase 3 trial for acquired hypothalamic obesity. In addition, we are leveraging our extensive genetic database, global network of researchers, a track record of regulatory successes and global commercial infrastructure to develop a full portfolio of treatment options to patients struggling with hyperphagia and severe obesity and ensuring they get the treatment that is right for them.

We continue to advance care and precision medicines that address rare diseases. We are focused on expanding access to IMCIVREE® to reach more patients and developing novel therapies for other rare neuroendocrine diseases, including congenital hyperinsulinism. Rhythm’s headquarters is in Boston, MA.