Interim Head of Medical Affairs

Interim Head of Medical Affairs

Function: Global Medical Affairs

Location: Hybrid, Anderlecht, Belgium

Company: A Global Pharmaceutical Company

Primary Purpose

The Interim Head of Medical Affairs – External Research Opportunities (ERO) provides strategic leadership and direction to the External Research Opportunity function within Medical Affairs.

The role ensures that external research activities and funding initiatives are delivered in a legitimate, compliant, effective, and efficient manner—creating value for healthcare stakeholders, caregivers, the scientific community, and ultimately patients.

This position is responsible for establishing and maintaining the capabilities, governance, systems, processes, and team structures required to:

• Enable effective medical and business delivery of projects aligned with organizational strategy
• Ensure adherence to industry best practices and internal/external policies and regulatory requirements
• Oversee activities related to external research opportunities, including:
• Investigator-Initiated Studies (IIS)
• Research collaborations
• Grants, sponsorships, donations, and other external funding mechanisms

Major Responsibilities

Team & Capability Leadership

• Lead, manage, and develop the External Research Opportunities team, including oversight of resources and budget
• Define and communicate a clear strategic and operational vision for the function
• Foster strong collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, building a deep understanding of their priorities and needs
• Position and articulate the ERO capability to support effective partnering and strategic execution
• Execute additional responsibilities as assigned by senior management
• Oversee the strategic framework, governance structure, and operational processes related to:
• External research (including Investigator-Initiated Studies and research collaborations)
• External funding activities (grants, sponsorships, donations, and related funding initiatives)

Education & Qualifications

Minimum Education Requirements

One of the following is required:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Master’s degree
• Ph.D.
• Medical degree (M.D.)
• Juris Doctor (J.D.)
• Or equivalent advanced qualification relevant to the role

Experience & Technical Expertise

Minimum Experience

• At least 15 years of relevant experience within the pharmaceutical industry across areas such as Medical Affairs
• Experience with Investigator Initiated Studies and Research Collaborations

Demonstrated experience in:

• Translating strategic vision into operational execution across global, regional, and/or local environments
• Designing and leading quality management systems in regulated environments
• Implementing and managing electronic systems supporting compliance and governance
• Resource and budget planning and management
• Understanding business strategy and financial performance drivers

Leadership Profile

The successful candidate is an inspirational and ethical leader with a demonstrated ability to:

• Define, communicate, and execute strategic direction aligned with short-, mid-, and long-term objectives
• Build a culture of accountability and high performance
• Coach, mentor, and develop team members to reach their full potential
• Model integrity, transparency, and a strong commitment to ethical conduct and patient welfare