Abbott

Medical Affairs Director

Abbott • $149K — $298K *
Madison, WI 53711In-Person
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
8 - 10 years of experience
Today
Be an Early Applicant
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Masters Degree in Genetic Counseling, Genetics, or related scientific/medical field
  • 8+ years experience in Medical Affairs or related roles, specifically in genetics or rare disease
  • Strong background in rare diseases with the ability to influence stakeholders
  • Demonstrated experience in publication and literature review, translating complex data
  • Strong cross-functional influencing skills in a matrixed environment
  • Effective communication skills for engaging various stakeholders
  • Experience with KOL engagement strategies, advisory boards, and scientific external activities

Responsibilities

  • Own and execute the rare disease Medical Affairs roadmap and performance metrics
  • Influence strategic decision-making in governance forums with scientific leadership
  • Identify new opportunities informed by emerging evidence and market dynamics
  • Lead the evidence generation strategy and implement aligned studies
  • Direct scientific content strategy and oversee development of diverse educational materials
  • Monitor emerging clinical evidence to inform Medical Affairs strategy
  • Build a comprehensive KOL and external scientific engagement strategy

Benefits

  • Scientific leadership role impacting rare disease portfolio
  • Opportunities for cross-functional collaboration within R&D and commercial teams
  • Engagement in high-impact scientific communication and education materials
  • Involvement in evidence generation and infrastructure development
  • Ability to shape and influence organizational decisions and growth
Full Job Description
JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Opportunity

The Medical Affairs Director, Rare Disease owns and leads the Medical Affairs strategy for the rare disease genetics portfolio, including scientific content development, evidence generation, external scientific engagement, and KOL partnerships. This role is accountable for shaping the scientific narrative, setting evidence-generation priorities, establishing Medical Affairs infrastructure and governance, and advancing the organization's scientific leadership in rare disease. The Director serves as the primary Medical Affairs leader for rare disease, partnering with R&D, commercial, data/IT, and enterprise Medical Affairs teams to influence key business decisions and accelerate portfolio growth through scientific excellence.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy & Leadership
  • Own the rare disease Medical Affairs roadmap, objectives, and performance metrics, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and measurable impact.
  • Represent the rare disease portfolio in executive, cross-functional, and governance forums, providing scientific leadership and influencing strategic decision-making.
  • Identify and champion new scientific, clinical, and business opportunities informed by emerging evidence, market dynamics, and unmet stakeholder needs to support long-term portfolio growth.
  • Provide strategic leadership for enterprise scientific and data initiatives, representing rare disease priorities and influencing future-state capabilities.
  • Act as the strategic Medical Affairs leader and primary partner to Commercial and cross-functional leadership, leveraging insights from KOL engagement, scientific conferences, publications, and emerging clinical trends to influence portfolio strategy, evidence priorities, and compliant scientific communication.

Evidence Generation & Infrastructure
  • Own the rare disease evidence generation strategy, identifying evidence gaps, prioritizing research initiatives, and leading execution of studies aligned with business and scientific objectives.
  • Lead the development of Medical Affairs infrastructure, governance frameworks, operating procedures, and evidence generation standards to support scalable growth and scientific excellence within rare disease.

Scientific Content & Communications
  • Own and lead scientific content strategy for the rare disease portfolio, establishing priorities and directing the development of webinars, publications, educational materials, and thought leadership content that advance organizational objectives.
  • Monitor and synthesize emerging clinical evidence, scientific literature, guidelines, and market trends to inform Medical Affairs strategy, evidence generation priorities, and scientific communications.
  • Provide Medical Affairs leadership and final scientific oversight for concept, functional, and MLR reviews, ensuring scientific rigor, compliance, and alignment with business objectives.
  • Lead cross-functional scientific content development efforts, directing internal subject matter experts and external partners to deliver high-impact scientific and educational materials.
  • Lead publication and scientific communication strategy, driving abstracts, manuscripts, presentations, and other scientific outputs that enhance organizational credibility and scientific impact.

External Scientific Engagement
  • Own the organization's scientific engagement strategy at major conferences, maximizing visibility, thought leadership, and stakeholder relationships.
  • Build and lead a comprehensive KOL, advisory board, and external engagement strategy, generating actionable insights that inform scientific priorities and portfolio strategy.

Education & Commercial Enablement
  • Lead the development of scientific education programs and training strategies, ensuring internal teams are equipped with accurate, impactful, and compliant scientific knowledge.
  • Direct the creation of scientific education resources and claims strategies that strengthen customer engagement and support portfolio growth.
  • Ensure compliance with applicable regulations, Company policies, operating procedures, and ethical standards while fostering effective collaboration with employees, KOLs, and external partners.

Minimum Qualifications
  • Masters Degree in Genetic Counsling, Genetics, or related scientific/medical field
  • 8+ years experience in Medical Affairs, clinical, scientific, or related roles within genetics, rare disease, diagnostics, biotechnology, academia, or other life sciences settings, including experience leading cross-functional initiatives and scientific strategy. Direct Medical Affairs experience strongly preferred.
  • Strong background in rare disease and/or genetics, with the scientific expertise and credibility to influence internal stakeholders, engage external experts, and represent the organization within the broader scientific community.
  • Demonstrated publication and literature review experience, including authorship or oversight of abstracts, posters, and peer-reviewed manuscripts; comfort translating complex genetic and clinical data into clear scientific narratives.
  • Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders, drive organizational initiatives, and achieve results in a matrixed environment.
  • Ability to manage cross-functional projects across R&D, commercial, regulatory, and quality stakeholders in a matrixed environment, and to train non-scientific audiences (e.g., sales teams) on complex medical and scientific content.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage stakeholders at all levels of the organization. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
  • Experience developing and leading KOL engagement strategies, advisory boards, and scientific external engagement activities; demonstrated ability to represent the organization with credibility at scientific conferences and professional meetings.
  • Authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship.
  • Experience developing or executing an evidence generation and dissemination strategy, including identifying evidence gaps and aligning scientific output to commercial and organizational priorities.
  • Demonstrated ability to perform the Essential Duties of the position with or without accommodation.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Board certification/eligibility as a genetic counselor (e.g., ABGC/ABMGG) preferred for candidates from a genetic counseling background. No specific license required for candidates entering from a PhD or equivalent scientific background.


The base pay for this position is
$149,300.00 - $298,700.00
In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.

JOB FAMILY:
Medical & Scientific Affairs

DIVISION:
ONCO Cancer Diagnostics

LOCATION:
United States > Madison : 5505 Endeavor Ln

ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS:

WORK SHIFT:
Standard

TRAVEL:
Yes, 50 % of the Time

MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE:
No

SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES:
Continuous sitting for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day)

About Abbott

Abbott Careers

Joining Abbott means becoming part of a globally diverse team dedicated to making a lasting impact on human health. As a leader in healthcare innovation, Abbott provides a dynamic workplace where careers flourish through growth, leadership, and diversity training.

Opportunities at Abbott

Explore a world of opportunities with our team. Whether you're seeking job opportunities in engineering, marketing, research, or healthcare, Abbott offers a variety of positions that allow professionals to grow their careers. Our commitment to diversity and innovation is evident in every aspect of our work, fostering an inclusive culture that values each team member's contribution.

Work You'll Do

At Abbott, every role contributes to our mission of helping people live fuller lives through better health. From groundbreaking research in medical devices to advancements in pharmaceuticals, our team is at the forefront of healthcare innovation. By joining Abbott, you are not just accepting a job; you are embarking on a path of professional and personal growth.

Internship Programs

Kickstart your career with an Abbott internship. Our programs provide invaluable industry experience and a chance to develop essential skills in a real-world setting. Interns at Abbott work on projects that matter, gaining the experience and knowledge necessary to succeed in their future careers.

Professional Development

Abbott is dedicated to the continuous professional development of its employees. With access to cutting-edge technology, leadership programs, and diversity training, our team members are equipped to lead and innovate within the healthcare industry. We support your career journey with robust training programs, mentorship, and opportunities for networking and professional growth.

Benefits and Culture

Our employees enjoy comprehensive benefits designed to support their life and well-being. From health insurance to retirement plans, we ensure our team has everything they need to thrive. Abbott's culture is built on a foundation of respect and integrity, united by a shared commitment to improving health outcomes.

Join Our Team

Discover the impact you can make with a career at Abbott. We are hiring individuals who are passionate, curious, and driven to lead. Search open positions that match your skills and interests on our Jobs page. Prepare your resume, sharpen your interview skills, and get ready to join a team that's at the cutting edge of healthcare solutions.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with career tips, industry insights, and company news—all from the people who work here. Subscribe to our Careers Blog and personalize your subscription to receive job alerts and insider tips tailored to your preferences.

Explore Abbott

With a commitment to improving life through innovation, leadership, and diversity, Abbott is a place where you can fulfill your potential. See what exciting and rewarding opportunities await at Abbott by exploring our career opportunities today.

SEARCH ABBOTT JOBS

Join us in our mission to make the world a healthier place through innovation, leadership, and diversity. Your journey to a fulfilling career at Abbott starts here.
Learn more about Abbott
Size
113,000 employees
Market Cap
$189 billion
Industry
Healthcare
Net Income
$4.4 billion
Founded
1944
5 Year Trend
+15.6%
Revenue
$34.6 billion
NASDAQ
ABT
* Ladders Estimates

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