Head of Medical Affairs - Avalo Therapeutics : Job Details

At Avalo (ahh-vah'-low), we share a commitment to teamwork, passion for science, and dedication to patients suffering from acute and chronic inflammatory disorders. Our collective expertise in discovery, development, and regulatory approvals is evidenced in our strong individual track records of advancing multiple therapeutic programs to successful commercialization.

This is a pivotal leadership role for a Medical Affairs leader who thrives at the intersection of science, strategy, and external engagement. You'll drive medical thought leadership, lead KOL and scientific community engagement, and play a key role in shaping early commercial readiness plans.

If you're ready to help define the future of immunology and bring innovative therapies closer to patients, we want to hear from you!

Position Summary:

The Head of Medical Affairs will be responsible for developing and executing the company's medical affairs strategy and providing input into clinical development plans during a pivotal growth phase. Reporting to the Chief Medical Officer, this leader will play a key role in preparing the organization for late-stage development and indication expansion by providing strategic and operational input into core Medical Affairs activities: scientific communications, KOL engagement, insights gathering, investigator sponsored studies, medical and scientific education and training, and evidence generation. This is a hands-on leadership role requiring collaboration across Clinical Development, Clinical Operations, Regulatory, & Commercial Strategy.

Main Responsibility Areas:

Medical Strategy & Leadership

• Develop the Medical Affairs plan aligned with clinical strategy, corporate goals, and anticipated Phase 3 and commercialization needs.
• Establish and sustain trusted relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, patient advocacy groups, policymakers, and scientific communities.
• Partner with Clinical Development, Clinical Operations, Medical, Regulatory, Commercial Strategy teams and other key stakeholders to ensure medical insights are integrated into product development and commercialization strategies.
• Provide medical input into indication selection and opportunities for addressing unmet medical needs.

External Engagement

• Engage with external stakeholders, including key opinion leaders, healthcare professionals, and patient advocacy groups, to advance the scientific credibility of the company and its programs.
• Provide medical leadership in the development of advisory boards, scientific roundtables, and congress strategy.
• Serve as a medical resource to internal and external teams including investigators and key stakeholders on relevant scientific and clinical issues.

Medical Communications & Publications

• Oversee development of scientific communications, including abstracts, posters, manuscripts, and congress presentations.
• Ensure accurate, balanced, and timely communication of clinical data to external audiences.
• Collaborate with Medical Writing and Clinical Teams on the production of investigator brochures, protocols, and clinical study reports.

Evidence Generation

• Support the design and execution of medical affairs-sponsored research (e.g., IITs, RWE, registries) as appropriate.
• Partner with clinical operations and commercial leadership (as appropriate) to align evidence gaps and data strategy.
• Ensure the organization is prepared for health authority interactions that may require medical affairs insight.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Regulatory, Clinical, Legal/Compliance, and Communications to ensure all medical affairs activities are compliant and aligned with internal SOPs and external regulations.
• Participate in cross-functional teams including Clinical Development sub-teams and Ph3 and Launch Readiness planning (as needed).
• Support and/or lead Clinical Development Programs according to company needs.

Education & Experience:

• M.D. (Immunology, Rheumatology, or Dermatology strongly preferred)
• Minimum of 10 years in the biotech/pharmaceutical industry with at least 7 years in medical affairs and/or Clinical Development leadership roles. Small Biotech experience a plus.
• Additional experience in clinical development, or related fields within the pharma industry is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience supporting Phase 2 and Phase 3 programs in a clinical-stage biotech environment.
• Proven experience and success in a growth environment, demonstrating agility and the ability to drive results in a fast-paced setting.
• Expertise in external stakeholder engagement, scientific communication, and medical strategy.
• Ability to work cross-functionally in a lean, fast-paced environment with evolving priorities.
• Strong leadership, communication, and team-building skills.

Qualifications:

• Proven ability to thrive in a collaborative team environment: strong oral and written communication skills and interpersonal skills.
• Proven track record of building relationships with internal teams, external stakeholders, and key opinion leaders.
• Highly organized with thorough attention to detail ensuring timely follow-through and closure.
• Excellent analytical, critical thinking, and soft skills to build collaborative relationships enabling effective and harmonious interactions with vendors and stakeholders.

Travel Requirement:

Travel up to 50% required for in person company events, conferences, investigator meetings, and KOL engagements.

Job Type: Full-time

Location: Hybrid; This role offers a flexible work arrangement but requires travel to corporate headquarters and attendance at customer-facing meetings and conferences as needed.

About Avalo Therapeutics

Avalo Therapeutics is a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the treatment of immune dysregulation. Avalo's lead asset is AVTX-009, an anti-IL-1β mAb, targeting inflammatory diseases.

For more information about Avalo, please visit our new website at www.avalotx.com.

ATTENTION: External Agencies and Placement Firms

A member of the Avalo Human Resources Department will contact an agency directly if an open position is eligible to be sourced from an outside recruiting service. Avalo does not accept unsolicited resumes from employment agencies for any employment opportunity. All agencies/recruiters must have a written agreement/SOW in place with Avalo and prior to submitting any resume or CV.

All resumes must be submitted through the appropriate process. Any resumes submitted without an agreement and/or any resumes sent unsolicited through e-mail accounts of Avalo employees will be considered outside of the appropriate process, do not imply or create any obligation on our part, do not impart any restrictions on Avalo with respect to the hiring of any persons whose resumes are so submitted and are not eligible for placement fees.