Senior Medical Director EMEA, Neurosciences

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc.
Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc.

Zürich, Switzerland

Posted on Jul 7, 2026
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Be a hero for our rare disease patients
At Ultragenyx, we fundamentally believe that taking real impactful action to care for the needs of patients and our people is always the right thing to do. To achieve this goal, our vision is to lead the future of rare disease medicine. For us, this means going where other biopharma companies won’t go – challenging the status quo and creating a new model that advances our field so more patients and caregivers can benefit from life-changing treatments. We do this by following the science, applying a novel rapid development approach, making innovative medicines at fair and reasonable prices, and creating a collaborative ecosystem to reach patients in ways that are most meaningful for them.
Our commitment and care for patients extends to our people, so culture is an essential cornerstone for Ultragenyx. We remain continuously focused on creating a supportive and inclusive environment of profound learning and growth – so employees can thrive in all areas of their lives, in and outside of work. Ultimately, we want to be an organization where we would be proud for our family, friends and children to work.
If you want to have a meaningful impact, do the best work of your career, and grow a lot, both professionally and personally, come join our team.

Position Summary:

ultrafocused – Work together to fearlessly uncover new possibilities

The Senior Medical Director, Neuroscience – EMEA is a strategic medical leader responsible for the development and execution of the regional medical affairs strategy for the disease program across EMEA. This role partners closely with global, regional, and local cross-functional teams to ensure alignment with development, evidence generation, and commercialization strategies.

The role will lead pre-launch and launch readiness activities, shape the integrated evidence plan, and build strong external partnerships with key opinion leaders, investigators, and patient communities to advance scientific understanding and improve outcomes for people living with this rare neurogenetic condition.

Work Model:

Flex: This role will typically require onsite work 2-3 days each week, or more depending on business needs. In many locations, the business will set certain days each week that Flex employees are required to be onsite.

Responsibilities:

  1. Strategic Leadership:Define and lead the EMEA medical strategy for Angelman syndrome, aligned with global strategy and tailored to regional needs; contribute to global medical and cross-functional governance. Provide strategic input into clinical development, lifecycle management, and pipeline prioritization.
  2. Evidence Generation &dissemination Strategy: Active contributor to the Integrated Evidence Generation Plan (IEP), including real-world evidence, representing the EMEA needs and evidence gaps. Ensure generation of clinically meaningful and payer-relevant evidence for this therapeutic area. Contributes to publication strategy, data dissemination, and scientific communications.
  3. Launch Excellence:Lead EMEA medical launch planning and execution, including disease awareness, diagnostic pathways, and treatment paradigm evolution and ensure medical readiness across EMEA Clusters. Partner with market access to support HTA submissions and value proposition.
  4. External Engagement:Build and maintain strong relationships with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), Clinical investigators, Scientific societies and contribute to Patient advocacy groups engagements in close collaboration with Patient Advocacy. Act as a scientific ambassador for the therapeutic area within the region.
  5. Cross-Functional Collaboration:Partner closely with Global Medical Affairs, Clinical Development, Regulatory Affairs, Market Access & HEOR, Commercial and Diagnostics teams, enabling integrated execution across development-to-commercial continuum.
  6. Medical Affairs Execution:Oversee execution of Medical education strategies, Congress planning and symposia, scientific materials review and approval, while ensuring high scientific rigor and compliance.
  7. Leadership & Influence:Provide matrix leadership and mentoring across regional medical teams, influence decisions at senior levels through scientific credibility and strategic thinking and drive a culture of innovation, patient-centricity, and operational excellence.

Requirements:

  • Advanced scientific or clinical degree required (MD, PhD, PharmD)
  • 8–12+ years in pharmaceutical/biotech industry, with strong Medical Affairs experience
  • Significant experience in rare diseases (strongly preferred), neuroscience/neurodevelopmental disorders and launch/pre-launch settings in EMEA
  • Deep understanding of EMEA healthcare systems, HTA processes, and access challenges
  • Proven ability to develop and execute regional strategies, lead without authority in complex matrix environments, translate science into clinical and payer-relevant insights, strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills and ability to navigate ambiguity and drive innovation
  • Travel will be required (approx. 30% time)

#LI-CK1 #LI-Hybrid

Full Time employees across the globe enjoy a range of benefits, including, but not limited to:
· Generous vacation time and public holidays observed by the company
· Volunteer days
· Long term incentive and Employee stock purchase plans or equivalent offerings
· Employee wellbeing benefits
· Fitness reimbursement
· Tuition sponsoring
· Professional development plans
* Benefits vary by region and country

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin/ancestry, age, disability, marital and veteran status, and any other status or classification protected by applicable federal, state, and/or local laws. Reasonable accommodation will be provided for all protected statuses or classifications protected by applicable law, including individuals with disabilities, disabled veterans, for pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, and based on sincerely held religious beliefs. Applicants can request an accommodation prior to accepting a job offer. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, or in any part of the recruitment process, you may contact Talent Acquisition by emailing us at talentacquisition@ultragenyx.com.

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