Associate Director, Medical Portfolio Management (Neurology)

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Associate Director, Medical Portfolio Management (Neurology) based in United States. This strategic operational leadership role supports the Medical Affairs organization in developing and executing integrated plans for a Neurology portfolio. You will partner with functional leaders to connect medical initiatives with business priorities, patient outcomes, and long-term value. The role goes beyond project tracking, focusing on benefit realization, cross-project dependencies, risk management, governance, and resource optimization. You will facilitate strategic planning sessions and executive forums while translating complex program and financial information into actionable insights for senior leadership. The position operates in a highly matrixed environment across Medical Strategy, Field Medical, Pharmacovigilance, HEOR, Scientific Communications, Medical Operations, and Patient Affairs. It offers significant influence over portfolio strategy, operational excellence, and the evolution of a growing Medical Affairs function.

Lead the design and development of integrated Annual Medical Plans for the Neurology portfolio, ensuring initiatives align with strategic objectives, business value, and patient outcomes. Facilitate strategic workshops, planning sessions, and cross-functional discussions that align teams around priorities, dependencies, resources, and expected outcomes. Lead cross-functional forums such as Quarterly Medical Reviews and annual U.S. Business Reviews, synthesizing complex programmatic, operational, and financial information into executive-ready reports and presentations. Establish frameworks for measuring benefit realization and ensure medical initiatives translate into meaningful organizational and patient impact over the long term. Oversee the Neurology medical portfolio to identify cross-project dependencies, systemic risks, resource constraints, and opportunities for optimization. Proactively lead organizational and programmatic change to maintain alignment with evolving corporate strategies and portfolio priorities. Develop and maintain governance frameworks for medical asset teams, promoting accountability, efficient decision-making, transparency, and effective cross-functional collaboration. Oversee the annual Medical Affairs budgeting process, including quarterly forecasting, resource modeling, and financial optimization aligned with strategic milestones. Support end-to-end contracting and strategic vendor management for the Neurology portfolio, including Master Service Agreements, Statements of Work, performance monitoring, and timely execution. Lead high-performing cross-functional teams through influence across Medical Strategy, Field Medical, Pharmacovigilance, HEOR, Scientific Communications and Publications, Medical Operations, and Patient Affairs. Provide matrix leadership while preparing to assume direct people-management responsibilities as the function continues to grow. Champion operational excellence by introducing digital tools such as Veeva and project dashboards and by improving processes that increase efficiency and visibility. Provide strategic insights to Medical Leadership through portfolio analysis, risk assessment, financial planning, and cross-functional coordination. Requirements: Hold an advanced degree such as a PharmD, PhD, MBA, or MS in Life Sciences; an advanced degree is preferred. Bring at least 8 years of progressive experience in pharmaceutical or biotechnology project management, Medical Affairs operations, or a closely related field. Demonstrate strong experience managing complex, cross-functional pharmaceutical or biotech programs and portfolios. Have a proven track record in Oncology, Neurology, Rare Disease, or closely related therapeutic areas. Possess deep knowledge of GxP requirements, the PhRMA Code, and applicable global medical compliance standards. Demonstrate expert proficiency with MS Project, Veeva Medical, and budget management tools. PMP training or certification is highly desirable. Have strong strategic planning, portfolio management, financial planning, risk management, and operational excellence capabilities. Be highly effective at facilitating strategic workshops, cross-functional forums, and senior-level discussions. Demonstrate the ability to synthesize complex data and operational information into clear recommendations, executive reports, and presentations. Possess strong matrix leadership and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence teams without direct authority. Have strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment. Demonstrate strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage effectively with senior leaders and diverse functional teams. Be comfortable working in a rapidly evolving organization and leading change across programs, processes, and teams. Be willing to travel approximately 15% as required. Boston-based candidates are preferred for a hybrid arrangement, although remote work may be considered for the right candidate. Benefits: Salary range of $176,000–$208,000, with final compensation based on factors including education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, performance, and organizational needs. Eligibility for short-term and long-term incentive programs. Medical, dental, and vision insurance. Flexible time off, including unlimited sick time and flex time without accrued time-off balances. 401(k) retirement plan. Life and disability insurance. Employee recognition programs. Comprehensive benefits package subject to eligibility requirements. Hybrid work opportunity for Boston-based employees, with remote flexibility available for qualified candidates. Opportunity to lead strategic Medical Affairs portfolio planning within Neurology and collaborate across multiple specialized functions. Exposure to portfolio strategy, medical operations, governance, financial planning, vendor management, and organizational change. Approximately 15% travel, supporting cross-functional engagement and strategic initiatives.