[Hiring] VP, Head of Epilepsy, R&D @Jazz Pharmaceuticals

Role Description

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, building trusted relationships with epilepsy experts and stakeholders.
• Engage academic epileptologists and experts to inform strategy, evidence generation, and trial design.
• Represent company at congresses, symposia, and regulatory interactions as epilepsy clinical expert.
• Research Collaboration & Innovation
• Drive collaborative research initiatives with academic institutions and external partners advancing epilepsy science.
• Establish and oversee collaborative research aligned with strategic priorities.
• Identify emerging scientific opportunities and innovative technologies to advance epilepsy therapeutic development.
• Translational Science Leadership
• Bridge preclinical discoveries and clinical development to enhance probability of success for epilepsy programs.
• Translate mechanistic insights and biomarkers into clinical hypotheses, endpoints, and decision frameworks.
• Partner with nonclinical teams to refine target validation and support translational development strategies.
• Internal Leadership & Influence
• Provide R&D leadership at enterprise-wide epilepsy forums to advance epilepsy pipeline, commercial portfolio, and category leadership.
• Influence Executive Committee and Board stakeholders through clear, data-rich scientific presentations.
• Mentor internal teams and contribute to capability building in epilepsy expertise across organization.
• Community & Advocacy Integration
• Embed patient and caregiver perspectives into development strategy through meaningful community engagement.
• Partner with advocacy organizations and patients to incorporate patient centricity into trial design and endpoint selection.
• Ensure development programs reflect diversity, access considerations, and real-world patient priorities.
• People Leadership
• Proven experience managing and developing high performing teams in a global organization.
• Experience in building leadership capability through mentoring, coaching and talent development programs to enhance performance and engagement.
• Experience fostering a learning culture, featuring innovation and operational excellence.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to lead through change, while building trust and credibility across the enterprise.

Qualifications

• MD, PhD with specialization in Epilepsy.
• Board Certification in Neurology or subspecialties.

Requirements

• Minimum of 10 years' experience in drug development in both academia and the pharmaceutical industry.
• National or international recognition as an academic epileptologist and/or epilepsy drug developer.
• Significant experience in clinical research and trial leadership.
• Experience with investigator-initiated studies.
• Strong track record of publications and conference presentations.
• Scientific leadership roles and established network across academic centers, clinical trial sites, and epilepsy organizations.
• Proven experience leading and developing teams in a global matrixed organization.
• Ability to proactively lead through change and ambiguity.
• Executive presence and communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with collaborative interpersonal skills.
• Ability to travel (up to 10%-20% of time).

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision insurance.
• 401k retirement savings plan.
• Flexible paid vacation.