Medical Director, International Markets

Are you ready to step into therapeutic area leadership across global markets? Do you thrive at the intersection of science, partner collaboration, and medical affairs? Would you like to play a key role in launching innovative treatments while expanding your leadership impact in a multicultural, fast-paced environment? Then join Ascendis Pharma and help bring innovation to life across international markets

Ascendis Pharma is a fast-growing global biopharmaceutical company committed to making a meaningful difference in patient’s lives. We have locations in Denmark, Germany, the United States, the UK, Italy, Spain, and France.

Guided by our core values of Patients, Science, and Passion, we use our TransCon® drug development platform to fulfill our mission of developing new therapies, selecting only those that demonstrate best-in-class potential to address unmet medical needs.

Today, we are advancing programs in Endocrinology Rare Disease and Oncology. In addition, we collaborate with partners around the world on the development of TransCon-based products for other therapeutic areas and markets.

This position will be placed in the International Markets region, which is a key strategic endeavour by Ascendis to expand our global footprint in partnership with indirect affiliates across the globe including Canada, Latin America, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, the Middle East, South Africa, Asia and Oceania.

We are seeking a passionate Medical Director who will play a high impact role within the International Markets team, primarily supporting our growth disorder therapy areas. This therapy area leader will build and manage long term relationships with key physicians, sites and partners while also leading medical strategy and tactics across our diverse geographic locations. This individual will be a strategic partner to indirect affiliates as well as internal teams across Ascendis pharma ensuring that the international markets medical perspective is reflected.

You will report to the Head of International Medical Affairs and work closely with the respective VP of International region, Heads of International Marketing, Market Access & Business Operations as well as other internal teams across Ascendis. The role should be based in a market where we have an Ascendis European office (preference for UK, Spain, Germany or Denmark). This is expected to be a remote role that may require some travel (~25%). Flexibility in work hours will be necessary to accommodate global time zones.

Your key responsibilities will be:

Therapeutic area leadership

• Serve as the clinical and scientific expert for the designated TransCon program
• Design and implement medical strategies and tactical plans
• Support the development of clinical and real-world evidence
• Input into lifecycle management activities as needed
• Oversee compassionate use programs and grants as needed

External engagement

• Establish and nurture relationships with KOLs and key centres in international markets
• Plan and deliver advisory boards
• Stay up to date on competitive landscape, new therapies, clinical trend
• Involvement in publication planning and speaker training programs
• Lead medical education programs

Cross-functional and Global Collaboration

• Collaborate with global medical, marketing, regulatory and other teams to deliver appropriate medical strategies and tactics
• Manage relationships with key external vendors and agencies to ensure optimal delivery

Team leadership

• Provide mentorship and functional leadership to medical teams and other stakeholders, fostering a culture of functional excellence

Qualifications and Skills:

• Advanced degree (MD / PhD / PharmD) in life sciences with 10+ years of experience in medical affairs
• Substantial knowledge / experience in rare diseases
• Demonstrated leadership and stakeholder management skills as well as the ability to perform effectively in a dynamic environment
• Proven strategic and critical thinking
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written) and proven organizational skills
• Ability to lead directly and indirectly by influence, including strong problem solving, conflict resolution and analysis
• Flexibility to adapt culturally

Key competencies

You are a highly motivated self-starter with a strong foundation in scientific communication and a natural ability to collaborate across cultures and functions. You bring a clear customer focus and thrive on working in a complex, matrixed environment where attention to detail and a can-do attitude are key.

You are able to communicate technical information effectively to a broad audience and adapt your approach depending on the stakeholder. Whether working independently or as part of a team, you perform well in a dynamic, fast-paced setting.

You have strong leadership and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to identify business opportunities and take initiative. With an entrepreneurial mindset, you’re excited by innovation and comfortable navigating a multicultural environment.

Your excellent interpersonal skills enable you to work efficiently with colleagues at all levels of the organization, supporting both urgent priorities and long-term goals

Apply now

We evaluate applications when received, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Please note that we conduct interviews on a rolling basis and reserve the right to remove the job posting at any time.

To ensure your application is reviewed, please submit it through the specified platform - applications sent by email or other channels will not be evaluated.

You can learn more about Ascendis Pharma by visiting our website www.ascendispharma.com

Applications must be submitted in English and will be treated confidentially.

A note to recruiters:

We do not allow external search party solicitation. Presentation of candidates without written permission from the Ascendis Pharma HR team (specifically from: Talent Acquisition Partner or Human Resources Director) is not allowed. If this occurs, your ownership of these candidates will not be acknowledged.