VP, Head of Epilepsy, R&D

Essential Functions
Scientific & Clinical Accountability for the R&D Epilepsy Portfolio
- Develop and shape epilepsy clinical development strategy aligned with portfolio, regulatory expectations, and unmet needs.
- Define clinical endpoints, trial designs, and patient populations across epilepsy development programs.
- Integrate scientific insights, literature, and competitive intelligence into actionable program strategies.
- Steward epilepsy programs through governance to align budget and timeline expectations.
- Execute multiple epilepsy programs according to budget and timeline.
External Engagement & Thought Leadership
- Accountable R&D leader for the Jazz Scientific Advisory Board in Epilepsy.
- Serve as a leading external scientific voice; build relationships with epilepsy experts and stakeholders.
- Engage academic epileptologists to inform strategy, evidence generation, and trial design.
- Represent the company at congresses, symposia, and regulatory interactions as epilepsy clinical expert.
Research Collaboration & Innovation
- Drive collaborative research with academic institutions and external partners.
- Establish and oversee collaborative research aligned with strategic priorities.
- Identify emerging scientific opportunities and innovative technologies.
Translational Science Leadership
- Bridge preclinical discoveries and clinical development.
- Translate mechanistic insights and biomarkers into clinical hypotheses, endpoints, and decision frameworks.
- Partner with nonclinical teams to refine target validation and translational strategies.
Internal Leadership & Influence
- Lead enterprise-wide epilepsy forums; advance epilepsy pipeline and category leadership.
- Influence Executive Committee and Board stakeholders with data-rich presentations.
- Mentor internal teams and build epilepsy expertise.
Community & Advocacy Integration
- Embed patient/caregiver perspectives through community engagement.
- Partner with advocacy organizations and patients to incorporate patient centricity.
- Ensure programs reflect diversity, access, and real-world patient priorities.
People Leadership
- Manage/develop high-performing teams in a global organization.
- Build leadership capability via mentoring/coaching/talent development.
- Foster a learning culture focused on innovation and operational excellence.
- Strong stakeholder management; lead through change with trust.
Required/Preferred Education and Licenses
- MD, PhD with specialization in Epilepsy.
- Board Certification in Neurology or subspecialties.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- 10+ years drug development experience in academia and pharmaceutical industry.
- National/international recognition as academic epileptologist and/or epilepsy drug developer.
- Significant experience in clinical research and trial leadership; investigator-initiated studies.
- Strong track record: publications, conference presentations, scientific leadership roles.
- Established network across academic centers, clinical trial sites, epilepsy organizations.
- People leadership in global matrixed organizations; lead through change/ambiguity.
- Executive presence and communication; lead cross-functional teams.
- Organizational/time management; excellent verbal/written communication; travel 10–20%.
Benefits/Compensation (US)
- Base pay range: $445,000.00–$506,000.00.
- May be eligible for discretionary annual cash bonus/incentive and discretionary equity.
- Benefits may include medical, dental, vision, 401(k), and flexible paid vacation.
Application Instructions
- If a current Jazz employee, apply via the Internal Career site.