Are you passionate about shaping the medical strategy in endocrinology rare disease and inspiring teams to execute? Do you have experience leading Medical Affairs across Europe in a global biopharmaceutical environment? Are you passionate about science and applying it to action and impact? If so, now is your chance to join Ascendis Pharma as our Head of Medical Affairs, Europe.
Ascendis Pharma is a global biopharmaceutical company committed to making a meaningful difference in patients’ lives. Guided by our core values of Patients, Science, and Passion, we are applying our innovative TransCon® technology platform to develop therapies with best-in-class potential to address significant unmet medical needs.
At our headquarters in Hellerup, Denmark, research facilities in Heidelberg, Germany, and additional offices across Europe and the United States, we are advancing a pipeline within Endocrinology Rare Disease. Across geographies, we also work closely with global partners to bring innovative therapies to patients worldwide.
We are seeking a strategic and scientifically strong Head of Medical Affairs, Europe to join our growing organization. You will be responsible for shaping and executing the European Medical Affairs strategy across development, launch readiness, commercialization, and lifecycle management of our endocrinology portfolio.
This role combines scientific leadership, functional ownership, and collaborating closely with leaders across geographies and departments. You will act as a key scientific partner to internal and external stakeholders and ensure that medical strategy is tightly aligned with clinical development, global medical affairs, and corporate and commercial priorities. This is a highly visible role requiring strong leadership in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, and matrixed environment.
You will report directly to the Head of Commercial Europe and be based in one of our European offices.
Your key responsibilities will be:
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Lead the development and execution of the European Medical Affairs strategy in alignment with global medical and corporate priorities
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Drive launch readiness and lifecycle management activities for the endocrinology portfolio in Europe
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Oversee regional evidence generation activities, (e.g., real-world evidence initiatives) and ensure integration of insights into strategy
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Collaborate closely with affiliate Medical Directors (who will report to you on a “dotted line”) to ensure alignment and best practice sharing
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Lead external scientific engagement with key opinion leaders, investigators, healthcare professionals, scientific societies, and patient organizations
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Ensure affiliate medical colleagues are consistently trained on the relevant science and how to engage external stakeholders
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Partner closely with Clinical Development, Commercial, HEOR, Market Access, Regulatory Affairs, and Pharmacovigilance to ensure integrated execution of medical priorities
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Establish coordinated approach to engage Patient Associations (in collaboration with local colleagues), in alignment with Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, Market Access, etc.
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Align global medical and corporate priorities with country-specific regulations and needs
Qualifications and Skills:
You hold a relevant academic degree – preferably MD or MD/PhD – and have 10+ years of experience within Medical Affairs in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry. You are a strategic and inspiring leader with strong scientific credibility and the ability to translate complex science into clear medical direction.
Furthermore, you bring:
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Strong experience in Medical Affairs leadership roles within global or regional organizations
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Experience with launch readiness, commercialization, and lifecycle management in Europe
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Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills across global and regional organizations, including Clinical, Medical, Market Access, and Commercial
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Strong analytical and strategic thinking with the ability to convert insights into actionable plans
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Strong communication skills and the ability to operate effectively at senior leadership level
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Deep understanding of European compliance, regulatory frameworks, and scientific governance
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Collaborative, entrepreneurial mindset and comfort operating in ambiguity
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Unbridled curiosity
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Strong background in endocrinology, rare disease, or specialty care (preferred)
Key Competencies
You are an inspiring and collaborative leader who thrives in a dynamic and entrepreneurial environment. You build strong relationships across functions, cultures, and geographies and are comfortable navigating complexity and ambiguity. With high integrity, strong communication skills, and a proactive mindset, you inspire trust and engagement among both internal and external stakeholders.
To succeed in this role, you combine scientific depth, strategic leadership, stakeholder management and executional excellence in a complex, global environment.
Travel:
Approximately 30-40% travel within Europe.
Apply now.
We evaluate applications as they are received and encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Interviews are conducted on a rolling basis, and we reserve the right to close the posting when the position is filled.
You can learn more about Ascendis 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.
