Associate Director, MEGO

Associate Director, Medical Education Grants Office is responsible and accountable for the development and execution of the US independent medical education strategy for a therapeutic area that aligns with Medical Affairs and Corporate strategic objectives. The AD, MEGO is responsible for all decisions on grant support based on grant strategy and risk assessment and leads the Therapeutic Area Review Committee (TARC). The AD, MEGO is accountable for approving and managing innovative, compliant, efficient, and high-quality medical education programs with the highest likelihood of improving patient care, while maximizing available resources.

This position aligns with the therapeutic area US Medical Leads. The AD, MEGO manages all aspects of the US review process of grants applications seeking support for independent medical education. AD collaborates with internal stakeholders including representatives from Core Medical Teams, Medical Information, Publications, Health Economics and Outcomes Research, Field Medical, Research and Development, Corporate Affairs, Compliance, Legal, Global Medical (where applicable) and External Funding Network.

The AD, MEGO serves as a core member of the Global Review Committee for External Support Requests and collaborates with colleagues from the global organization to ensure global medical education programs align with the US medical education strategy and US regulations where applicable.

The AD, MEGO is a medical education/adult learning principles expert within Medical, and is the Company liaison regarding independent medical education with medical societies, organizations, and companies with business within the medical education industry.

Key Responsibilities:

• Integral member of medical cross-functional teams, including active participation and contribution to annual and long-range medical planning and at Medical Leadership Team meetings (both US and Global)
• Monitor, evaluate, and provide feedback on industry practices and advise on regulatory changes that are relevant to the implementation of effective and fully compliant medical education programs, on an ongoing basis
• Timely and compliant internal review and management of all grant applications received through medical education grants portal, for all steps from submission through to program reconciliation, including reviewing based on scientific/medical merit and compliance assessment and potential government reporting, and liaising with grant requestors and recipients.
• Lead the Therapeutic Area Review Committee and seeks medical/scientific consultation as appropriate for input on grant funding decisions.
• Accountability and management of grants budget including phasing, grant payments, and reconciliation.
• Monitor, review, maintain documentation and provide accurate reporting to meet compliance, legal requests and government requirments as required related to supported independent medical education activities.
• Execute ongoing evaluation / monitoring of supported educational initiatives and associated Educational Providers to ensure agreement with approved grant, scientific/medical accuracy, and balance/bias
• Conducting on a continuous basis an educational gap analysis to identify unmet medical needs. This includes the analyis of the medical literature, scan of the external educational landscape, review of outcomes of supported programs, information gathered by other functions within Medical Affairs and related departments. Based on findings, creates the annual educational strategy and educational parameters for the therapeutic area and (if applicable) the portfolio.
• Periodic reporting of outcomes and associated analysis from supported independent medical education programs
• Maintaining a high level of therapeutic area expertise and understanding of adult HCP learner preferences and applying to all responsibilities
• Maintaining a high level of compliance and risk assessment awareness and applying to all responsibilities
• Effective communication with internal colleagues with regard to the value of medical education, budgetary needs, tracking of supported grants and associated activities, outcomes/program effectiveness, and compliance issues.
• Liaise in a compliant manner with external stakeholders regarding their organizational initiatives & educational programs, notification of grant decisions, awareness of timelines, budget schedules, receipt of outcomes and required government reporting.
• Initiates and supports continuous improvement in MEGO processes and tools

Essential Requirements:

• Bachelors degree in science, medical field or related degree program
• 5+ years experience in healthcare, the pharmaceutical industry or in the medical education/communication industry
• Proven expertise in medical education or related business area and field of adult learning

• In-depth knowledge of all relevant regulatory, legal policies (FDA requirements, PhRMA Code, AMA, ACCME and other accrediting bodies, OIG guidelines, and Open Payments) pertaining to medical education and grants and demonstrated ability to apply interpretation of these to situations

• Strong leadership skills, including demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams towards achieving team objectives
• Self-motivated with proven ability to work independently with little direction from mid-level management
• Proven ability to work effectively with internal colleagues (US and ex-US) and external partners
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills
• Proven strategic planning and program/project management skills
• Strong budget management & phasing skills – demonstrated ability to stay within allocated budgets

• Demonstrated communication skills (verbal and in written form) with the ability to have appropriate and compliant communications to and with stakeholders

• Strong and demonstrated presentation skills
• Strong computer skills
• Analytical thinker with ability to thrive in dynamic environment with aggressive standards
• Collaborative management style, that is responsive, organized, transparent, respectful, flexible, assertive, and personable

Preferred Requirements:

• Advanced scientific/medical degree

• 5+ years experience in the pharmaceutical industry, in roles within Medical Education or Medical Affairs
• Knowledge or prior experience in Oncology or one of the primary areas of cardiology, diabetes, nephrology, respiratory or immunology.
• Proven expertise in medical education and field of adult learning, and prior experience in the development and implementation of educational programs
• In-depth knowledge of/ adherence to AstraZeneca policies and guidelines and systems
• In-depth knowledge of/ adherence to FDA requirements, PhRMA Code, AMA, ACCME and other accrediting bodies, OIG guidelines, and Open Payments

Why AstraZeneca?

At AstraZeneca when we see an opportunity for change, we seize it and make it happen, because any opportunity no matter how small, can be the start of something big. Delivering life-changing medicines is about being entrepreneurial - finding those moments and recognizing their potential. Join us on our journey of building a new kind of organization to reset expectations of what a bio-pharmaceutical company can be. This means we’re opening new ways to work, pioneering cutting edge methods and bringing unexpected teams together.

So, what’s next!

• Are you already imagining yourself joining our team? Good, because we can’t wait to hear from you.

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