Associate Director Medical Affairs, Endocrine Medical Sciences

About the role

Ascendis Pharma is a dynamic, fast-growing global biopharmaceutical company with locations in Denmark, Europe, and the United States, advancing programs in Endocrinology Rare Disease and Oncology. Guided by core values of Patients, Science, and Passion, the company uses its TransCon® drug development platform to develop potentially best-in-class therapies addressing unmet medical needs.

The Associate Director, Medical Affairs joins the Endocrine Medical Sciences team for the US business, reporting to the US Medical Director. This role supports deliverables and activities associated with management and implementation of phase 4 studies and registries; pre-launch, launch, and post-launch activities; and medical review of promotional materials for marketed product(s). The position requires expertise in endocrine and rare disorders, with a focus on growth-related disorders and/or hypoparathyroidism for Ascendis TransCon Program(s). The candidate will serve as a scientific contributor, support cross-functional strategic projects, and help develop and implement product medical and launch strategies.

Key accountabilities include ensuring promotional materials are medically and scientifically accurate, balanced, and aligned with brand strategy and approved indications; mentoring colleagues; supporting education and training of the MSL team and commercial personnel; developing and delivering impactful presentations; supporting publication strategy, medical information, and medical communications; and representing Ascendis Medical Affairs at internal and external meetings, scientific conventions, and corporate liaison boards. The role requires availability to work in Princeton, NJ on a weekly basis (three days per week on-site).

Responsibilities

• Serve as the medical/scientific reviewer of promotional assets for assigned product(s), collaborating with Commercial, Legal, and Regulatory for development and review of labeling, advertising, and promotional materials; provide evidence-based input to support cross-functional decisions on claims, messaging, and scientific accuracy.
• Ensure materials are medically accurate: claims appropriately supported by evidence, references correctly cited, overall impression fair and not misleading.
• Verify statements in promotional materials are consistent with the approved indication/label.
• Cross-check all content against underlying clinical data, literature, abstracts/manuscripts; ensure summary data are accurate and in context.
• Provide ongoing therapeutic area, product, and competitive intelligence knowledge to maintain up-to-date scientific accuracy.
• Build and manage relationships and strategic partnerships; interact regularly with Key Opinion Leaders/Influencers, clinical investigators, healthcare customers, strategic alliance partners, vendors, professional societies, and patient advocacy groups; synthesize external insights to inform internal cross-functional discussions and decision-making.
• Work with internal stakeholders (Commercial, Legal, Regulatory, Clinical Development, Clinical Operations, Compliance, Pharmacovigilance, Biometrics, Global Communications, and other functional groups) to support the US Medical Director in successful management of Medical Affairs projects; provide medical perspective and scientific guidance within cross-functional discussions.
• Support the US Medical Director in design and implementation of medical strategies and tactical plans; provide thought leadership for medical publication planning, medical education, and medical information system development; contribute data-driven medical insight to inform strategic direction and execution decisions.
• Serve as a scientific expert for Medical Affairs projects within designated TransCon Program(s).
• Support development of strategic imperatives and tactical medical plans to enhance healthcare practitioner education to improve patient outcomes.
• Support the Medical Affairs team and US Medical Director in design and conduct of post-marketing studies and medical materials review.
• Support development, management, and execution of US Medical Advisory Boards.
• Develop and deliver presentations on MA projects to internal and external audiences within legal, compliance, and regulatory guidelines.
• Represent Ascendis Medical Affairs internally and externally.
• Stay abreast of up-to-date clinical data relevant to TransCon programs, competitive landscape, new therapies, clinical trends, and newly issued regulatory rules and FDA guidance; promptly identify potential impact on existing medical programs or strategies.
• Contribute medical and scientific perspectives within cross-functional teams, supporting evidence-based decision-making across Medical Affairs activities.

Requirements

• PharmD/PhD with at least 5–8 years of total work experience, including a minimum of 3 years’ industry experience in medical affairs in a relevant therapeutic area and experience in medical promotional review.
• Substantial knowledge/experience with rare endocrine disorder or (non-Oncology related) rare diseases (preferred).
• Strong record of scientific and clinical inquiry.
• Demonstrated leadership and team building skills; ability to perform effectively in a dynamic environment.
• Flexibility to adapt culturally.
• Demonstrated 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.
• Ability to work on-site in Princeton three days per week.

Benefits

• 401(k) plan with company match
• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• Company-offered Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance
• Company-provided short and long-term disability benefits
• Pet Insurance and Legal Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Discounts
• Professional Development
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various incentive compensation plans
• Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance
• Mental Health resources
• Paid leave benefits for new parents

Pay

Estimated salary range: $190,000 – $210,000 per year. Actual salary determination depends on experience, qualifications, and geographic location. The position may be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus or incentive compensation plan (eligibility varies by role and level), discretionary stock-based long-term incentives, and paid time off.

Schedule

On-site work required in Princeton, NJ three days per week.