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Rare Disease Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

RXinsider LTD.

Director, Rare Disease Operations

Cary, NC · On-site

$150 - $210/hr

The Director, Rare Disease Operations, will be responsible for overseeing the daily operations of our Rare Disease program, managing a team of customer service representatives, patient access ...

McKesson

Director, Rare Disease Operations

Cary, NC · On-site

The Director, Rare Disease Operations, will be responsible for overseeing the daily operations of our Rare Disease program, managing a team of customer service representatives, patient access ...

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How much do rare disease director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for rare disease director in the United States is $186,382.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $115,500.00 and $249,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Rare Disease Director do?

A Rare Disease Director oversees the development and implementation of strategies for researching, developing, and promoting treatments for rare diseases within a pharmaceutical or biotechnology company. They coordinate cross-functional teams, manage relationships with key stakeholders such as patient advocacy groups, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Their role is critical in advancing therapies for conditions that affect small patient populations and often have unmet medical needs. The position requires strong leadership, scientific expertise, and the ability to navigate complex regulatory and commercial environments.

What is the difference between Rare Disease Director vs Clinical Research Scientist?

AspectRare Disease DirectorClinical Research Scientist
Required credentialsAdvanced degrees (MD, PhD), leadership experienceTypically PhD or Master's, specialized in clinical research
Work environmentLeadership roles in biotech/pharma companies, overseeing projectsResearch settings, hospitals, or clinical trial sites
Employer and industry usageBiotech, pharmaceutical companies, rare disease focusResearch institutions, clinical trial organizations
Common search intentUnderstanding leadership roles in rare disease researchDetails about clinical research roles in rare diseases

The Rare Disease Director typically holds leadership positions overseeing research and development in rare diseases within biotech or pharma companies, requiring advanced degrees and management experience. In contrast, a Clinical Research Scientist focuses on conducting and analyzing clinical trials, often with a scientific or medical background. Both roles are integral to rare disease research but differ in responsibilities, seniority, and work environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Rare Disease Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Rare Disease Director, you need in-depth knowledge of rare disease landscapes, clinical development, and regulatory requirements, typically supported by an advanced degree in life sciences or medicine. Familiarity with clinical trial management systems, regulatory submission platforms, and certifications like PMP or RAC are highly valuable. Outstanding leadership, strategic thinking, and cross-functional communication skills help drive complex projects and collaborate with diverse stakeholders. These abilities ensure effective development and execution of rare disease programs, accelerating therapies to underserved patient populations.

What are some common challenges faced by a Rare Disease Director when coordinating cross-functional teams?

A Rare Disease Director often navigates complex collaborations between clinical, regulatory, medical affairs, and commercial teams. One of the main challenges is aligning diverse stakeholders to ensure timely and effective development strategies, especially given the unique regulatory pathways and limited patient populations in rare diseases. Clear communication, strong project management skills, and a deep understanding of both scientific and business priorities are essential to overcoming these challenges and driving successful outcomes.
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Rare Disease Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Rare Disease Director job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 67% In-person, and 33% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $186,382 per year, or $89.6 per hour.

Director, Medical Affairs, Rare Disease

Ipsen

Cambridge, MA

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 4 days ago

Job description

Title:

Director, Medical Affairs, Rare Disease

Company:

Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals Inc.


About Ipsen:

Ipsen is a mid-sized global biopharmaceutical company with a focus on transformative medicines in three therapeutic areas: Oncology, Rare Disease and Neuroscience. Supported by nearly 100 years of development experience, with global hubs in the U.S., France and the U.K, we tackle areas of high unmet medical need through research and innovation.

Our passionate teams in more than 40 countries are focused on what matters and endeavor every day to bring medicines to patients in 88 countries. We build a workplace that champions human-centric leadership and fosters a culture of collaboration, excellence and impact. At Ipsen, every individual is empowered to be their true selves, grow and thrive alongside the company's success. Join us on our journey towards sustainable growth, creating real impact on patients and society!

For more information, visit us at https://www.ipsen.com/and follow our latest news on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Job Description:

WHAT - Summary & Purpose of the Position

The Director, Medical Affairs, is responsible for leading and overseeing key Medical Affairs activities in alignment with the US and Global Rare Disease strategy for Pediatric Cholestatic Rare Disease. While primarily focused on Pediatric Cholestatic Rare Disease, this role may also support Adult Cholestatic Rare Disease populations as needed. This role serves as a primary medical and scientific leader for the therapeutic area, providing guidance to internal and external stakeholders and ensuring alignment across cross functional teams.

The Director leads the development and execution of the US Medical Affairs strategy and overall medical plan for pediatric cholestatic diseases. Key responsibilities include leading Medical Strategic Team activities, advisory board planning and execution, and cross functional collaboration to ensure integration of medical strategies. The role also includes oversight of medical information responses (in collaboration with Medical Information), scientific communications (including publications and congress presentations in partnership with the Publication team), and the design and medical oversight of US based clinical studies, as well as the review and approval of promotional and medical materials and educational grants.

The Director works closely with the Medical Science Liaison team to guide field medical strategy, develop and maintain relationships with key opinion leaders, and incorporate field insights into medical planning. Additional responsibilities include assessing investigator sponsored study requests, supporting internal and external training through knowledge transfer, and ensuring accurate, timely responses to medical information requests.

Key internal partners include US and Global Medical Affairs, Clinical Operations, the Rare Disease commercial team, and global Rare Disease franchise medical personnel.

WHAT - Main Responsibilities & Technical Competencies

  • Through Medical Affairs Information and the MSL team, ensure the development and dissemination of medically sound information to support the safe and effective use of Bylvay in accordance with Ipsen and regulatory guidelines.
  • Contribute to the planning and budget oversight of medical activities for pediatric cholestatic diseases, with support for adult cholestatic populations as needed.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with key opinion leaders and external stakeholders to gather insights and inform medical strategy.
  • Serve as the medical and scientific representative on disease area and asset cross functional teams, ensuring alignment across stakeholders.
  • Provide medical and scientific leadership to cross functional teams, integrating insights to inform strategy and execution.
  • Lead, when appropriate, content development and presentation for external medical education programs
  • Lead the planning and execution of advisory boards (national and regional).
  • Ensure appropriate scientific, disease, and Ipsen product training for the MSL team and other internal partners, in collaboration with Knowledge Transfer.
  • Review and approve promotional and medical materials (PRC and MRC, as applicable).
  • Identify needs and provide directions on the development of proactive and reactive field medical materials (e.g., FAQs, medical objection handlers, advisory board content) in collaboration with field teams.
  • Contribute to the US scientific publication strategy planning and oversee clinical study design and execution in collaboration with Medical Affairs Operations.
  • Oversee the development and execution of the Rare Disease KOL identification strategy and process.
  • Lead medical congress strategy and execution, including scientific exchange and congress coverage.
  • Lead Medical Strategic Team activities, ensuring alignment with US and Global Rare Disease medical strategy.
  • Oversee clinical grants and medical education funding activities, including providing medical input and budget management in collaboration with the Grants Manager.
  • Manage travel and expense budget in line with Ipsen guidelines.
  • Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and Ipsen policies.

HOW - Knowledge & Experience

Knowledge & Experience (essential):

  • 8+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including 5-8 years in Medical Affairs strategy
  • Significant experience in Rare Disease required; experience in Liver or Gastroenterology, including cholestatic diseases across pediatric and adult populations, is an asset.
  • Knowledge of clinical trial design, biostatistics.
  • Experience in presenting and publishing scientific information.
  • Ability to work across multiple functions & cultures & embrace team diversity.
  • Enterprise and strategic with ability to identify & create solutions to various scenarios.
  • Strong verbal & written communication skills, presentation, & coaching skills.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills & problem-solving capabilities.
  • Experience with organizational skills & business planning.
  • Proven project management, tracking & reporting of outcomes.
  • Strong organizational skills & ability to deal with competing priorities.
  • Strong reasoning & creative solving skills.
  • Strong knowledge of US PhRMA, OIG, FDA rules & regulations & guidelines relating to compliant medical engagements
  • Proven ability to work in & embrace a fast-paced & dynamic work environment with a high level of autonomy.
  • Ability to travel up to 40% of the time i.e., Attend HCP/customer meetings; attend scientifical/medical conferences, attend Cambridge, MA meetings, etc.)

Knowledge & Experience (preferred):

  • Clinical trials/research experience is a plus.

Education / Certifications (essential):

  • Advanced degree in a scientific discipline (MD, PhD, or PharmD) required.

Language(s) (essential):

  • Fluent in English.

Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, religion, creed, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity, marital status, military or veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, religion, creed, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity, marital status, military or veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. conducts background screening, reference checks, and drug testing as part of its pre-employment screening process. This description is not intended to be constructed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements for the position. This position may change or assume additional duties at any time. The employee may be requested to perform different or additional duties as assigned.

All Employees are expected to adhere to all company policies and act as a role model for company values.

The annual base salary range for this position is $225,000-$300,000.

This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentives program as well as our long-term incentives program.

At Ipsen we are proud to offer a comprehensive employee benefits package, including 401(k) with company contributions, group medical, dental and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, as well as flexible spending accounts. Ipsen also provides parental leave, paid time off, a discretionary winter shutdown, well-being allowance, commuter benefits, and much more.

The pay range displayed above is the range of base pay compensation within which Ipsen expects to pay for this role at the time of this posting. Individual compensation within this range depends on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, prior education and experience, job-related knowledge and demonstrated skills.

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels heard, valued, and supported; where we embrace "The Real Us". The value we place on different perspectives and experiences drives our commitment to inclusion and equal opportunities. When we include diverse ways of thinking, we make more thoughtful decisions and discover more innovative solutions. Together we strive to better understand the communities we serve. This means we also want to help you perform at your best when applying for a role with us. If you require any adjustments or support during the application process, please let the recruitment team know. This information will be handled with care and will not affect the outcome of your application. Ipsen is an equal opportunity employer that strictly prohibits unlawful discrimination. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to an individual's race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin/ancestry, age, mental/physical disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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