At Takeda, we are united by our purpose of creating better health for people and a brighter future for the world. As a global, values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical company, we are passionate about bringing life-transforming therapies to patients with high unmet medical need.

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Country Medical Lead (Rare Diseases) to provide medical leadership across our UK Rare Diseases portfolio. This is a highly visible leadership role that offers the opportunity to shape medical strategy, influence healthcare outcomes, and drive meaningful impact for patients living with rare diseases.

The Opportunity

As Country Medical Lead, you will serve as the senior medical expert within the UK organization for the Rare Diseases portfolio. You will lead the development and execution of the local medical strategy, ensuring that patient needs, scientific evidence, healthcare system priorities, and medical insights inform business decisions and patient-focused activities.

Working closely with cross-functional partners across Medical, Commercial, Market Access, Regulatory, Patient Advocacy and Global teams, you will help shape launch readiness, lifecycle management, evidence generation and scientific engagement activities while maintaining the highest standards of scientific integrity and compliance.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Medical Leadership

• Lead the development and execution of the UK Rare Diseases medical strategy and annual medical plan.
• Provide expert scientific and clinical leadership to local, regional and global stakeholders.
• Translate emerging scientific, clinical and policy developments into actionable medical strategies.

Scientific Engagement & External Partnerships

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with healthcare professionals, investigators, scientific societies and patient organisations.
• Lead high-quality scientific exchange and ensure the effective collection and utilization of medical insights.
• Represent Takeda at scientific meetings, congresses and advisory boards.

Evidence Generation & Medical Excellence

• Oversee evidence generation activities including real-world evidence, publications and research collaborations.
• Drive interpretation and communication of scientific data to support clinical practice and patient outcomes.
• Ensure medical activities are scientifically robust, patient-centred and compliant.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Commercial, Market Access, Regulatory, Pharmacovigilance, Compliance and Communications teams.
• Contribute medical expertise to launch planning, access discussions and lifecycle management activities.
• Support patient-focused initiatives across the UK healthcare landscape.

Team Leadership

• Lead, coach and develop a high-performing medical team.
• Foster a culture of scientific excellence, collaboration, inclusion and accountability.
• Establish clear priorities and effective ways of working across a matrix environment.

What You'll Bring

Essential Qualifications

• Medical degree, Pharmacy degree, PhD or other advanced life-science qualification.
• Significant Medical Affairs experience within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• Proven experience developing and executing medical strategy.
• Strong understanding of medical governance, scientific exchange and evidence generation.
• Demonstrated ability to influence across complex matrix organisations.

Preferred Experience

• Experience within Rare Diseases or the ability to rapidly establish expertise in a new therapeutic area.
• People leadership experience including coaching and talent development.
• Experience supporting product launches, real-world evidence programs, publications or clinical research.
• Understanding of the UK healthcare environment, reimbursement landscape and policy framework.

Key Capabilities

• Strong scientific and clinical judgement.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to balance patient, healthcare system and business priorities.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• High ethical standards and a strong governance mindset.
• Ability to lead through ambiguity and drive results through influence.

What We Offer

At Takeda, you'll have the opportunity to work alongside talented colleagues who are committed to improving patients' lives. We offer:

• A purpose-driven and patient-focused culture
• Meaningful leadership opportunities in a growing Rare Diseases portfolio
• Flexible hybrid working
• Competitive compensation and benefits package
• Extensive learning, development and career growth opportunities
• An inclusive environment where everyone can thrive

Apply Today

If you are a strategic medical leader with a passion for scientific excellence and improving outcomes for patients with rare diseases, we'd love to hear from you.

Takeda is committed to creating a diverse workforce and providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants.