Head of Medical Immunology

Head of Medical Immunology

AbbVie

Cham, Switzerland

Job Description

Are you a visionary medical affairs leader ready to shape strategy, drive scientific excellence, evidence generation, and make a meaningful impact on patient outcomes? We are looking for an exceptional Head of Medical Immunology to join our leadership team - a role that sits at the heart of our organisation, bridging science, strategy, and commercial ambition.

About the Role

As Head of Medical Immunology, you will lead and define our medical strategy, ensuring that scientific integrity, regulatory compliance, and patient-centricity sit at the core of everything we do. Reporting directly to the Medical Director, you will provide senior medical leadership across the organisation - partnering with Commercial, Regulatory, and Market Access teams to deliver results that matter.

This is a high-impact, cross-functional leadership role for a seasoned medical affairs professional who thrives in a fast-paced, science-driven environment.

What You Will Do

Medical Strategy & Leadership

• Define and execute the overarching medical strategy, aligning it with broader business and portfolio objectives;
• Represent the Medical function at senior leadership and executive forums, bringing a credible scientific voice to strategic decision-making;
• Lead and develop a high-performing Medical team, fostering a culture of scientific excellence and continuous development.

Scientific Engagement & KOL Relations

• Build and sustain meaningful, ethical relationships with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), external experts, and the broader scientific community;
• Champion robust medical communications that translate complex science into clear, compelling, and compliant messaging;
• Represent the company at scientific congresses, advisory boards, and industry forums.

Clinical Development & Evidence Generation

• Oversee the design and delivery of clinical development programmes and evidence generation activities to support product strategy;
• Ensure that data and insights are used to drive informed, evidence-based decisions across the organisation;
• Partner with Regulatory and Market Access teams to support submissions, reimbursement strategies, and lifecycle management.

Governance, Compliance & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Uphold the highest standards of medical governance, ethics, and regulatory compliance across all medical activities;
• Lead cross-functional collaboration with Commercial, Regulatory, Market Access, and other key stakeholders to ensure integrated, aligned delivery;
• Act as a trusted partner and deputy to the Medical Director, providing leadership continuity and organisational resilience.

Qualifications

What We Are Looking For

Qualifications & Experience

• Advanced degree in life sciences, medicine, or a related field - PhD, MD, or equivalent strongly preferred;
• Extensive medical affairs experience within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry;
• Proven senior or global medical leadership experience, with a track record of building and inspiring high-performing teams;
• Demonstrated experience in clinical development, medical strategy, and evidence generation;
• Established network of KOL relationships and a strong record of scientific engagement;
• Deep understanding of regulatory and compliance frameworks governing medical affairs;
• Experience working cross-functionally at a senior level, ideally with exposure to Commercial, Regulatory, and Market Access.

Skills & Attributes

• Strategic Thinking - ability to see the big picture and translate vision into actionable medical strategy;
• Leadership Excellence - inspirational people leader who builds trust, drives accountability, and develops talent;
• Scientific Credibility - commanding presence with the scientific community and internal stakeholders alike;
• Communication & Influence - exceptional ability to communicate complex science clearly and persuade diverse audiences;
• Data-Driven Decision Making - comfortable using evidence and analytics to guide strategy and prioritisation;
• Adaptability - thrives in dynamic, ambiguous environments and brings clarity and focus under pressure;
• Ethical Standards - unwavering commitment to integrity, compliance, and doing the right thing for patients.