Global Medical Director Gastroenterology

Global Medical Director – Gastroenterology

Abbott | Established Pharmaceutical Division

About Abbott

At Abbott, we believe people live their fullest lives when they are healthy — physically, emotionally, and socially. As a global healthcare leader with more than 107,000 colleagues across 160+ countries, we develop life‑changing medicines and technologies that support health at every stage of life.

Within our Branded Generics business, we make trusted, high‑quality medicines accessible to more than 18 million people every day, particularly in fast‑growing regions such as LATAM, APAC, India, and Emerging Markets. Our diverse portfolio spans critical therapeutic areas including Women’s Health, Gastroenterology, Cardiometabolic, CNS & Pain, and Respiratory, addressing real and often unmet patient needs worldwide.

Abbott is a place where science, purpose, and people come together — and where diverse perspectives and inclusive leadership are essential to delivering better outcomes for patients globally.

Your Impact

As Global Medical Director – Gastroenterology, you will play a central role in shaping Abbott’s global medical strategy for the GI therapeutic area. Working closely with cross‑functional partners, you will help define short‑ and long‑term direction, ensuring medical decision‑making is scientifically robust, patient‑centered, and aligned with global and local needs.

You will be a core member of the Medical Affairs Leadership Team within the Established Pharmaceuticals Division (EPD), contributing your expertise and perspective to strategic decisions across Medical Affairs and Innovation & Development.

What You Will Do

Medical Strategy & Scientific Leadership

• Lead the global medical strategy and activities for the Gastroenterology therapeutic area and assigned products

• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to translate scientific insight into meaningful medical and patient impact

• Identify unmet medical needs and mid‑ to long‑term opportunities for differentiation, innovation, and value creation

• Continuously evaluate products within scope, identifying portfolio gap‑filling opportunities, including in‑licensing considerations

• Develop therapeutic area medical plans, integrating research priorities, publication strategies, real‑world evidence, and study initiatives

• Prepare Target Product Profiles (TPPs) in partnership with cross‑functional teams

• Drive scientific excellence by reviewing medical literature and generating differentiated ideas (including digital) to strengthen disease management and patient care

Evidence Generation & Governance

• Lead and govern Global Medical Affairs research projects, including IIS, post‑marketing studies, observational and epidemiologic research, Phase IV and RWE studies

• Serve as a member of the Scientific Review Committee, jointly reviewing and approving clinical activities led by Clinical Development

• Ensure high‑quality medical content for digital initiatives aimed at both HCPs and patients

Collaboration, Safety & Compliance

• Build and maintain strong collaboration with regional and local Medical Directors, ensuring alignment between global strategy and local execution

• Establish and sustain trusted, ethical relationships with Key Opinion Leaders and scientific societies

• Act as a core member of the Product Safety Team, overseeing medical safety monitoring and contributing to PSURs, clinical overviews, and risk‑management plans

• As part of the Labeling Sub‑Team, provide medical input and scientific strategies for global and national label changes, including safety‑related updates

• Ensure that all medical and promotional activities comply with global guidelines and regulatory requirements

People Leadership

• Lead and develop a team of two direct reports, fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high‑performing environment

• Attract, mentor, and retain talent through servant leadership, coaching, and empowerment

• Support a culture where diverse voices are encouraged, respected, and valued

What We’re Looking For

Education & Experience

• Advanced degree in Life Sciences, such as:

  M.D. (preferred) with 5+ years of relevant pharmaceutical experience

  PharmD / PhD with 7+ years of experience

  M.Sc. with 10+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry

• Strong experience in Medical Affairs and/or clinical research, in pharma, academia, or equivalent settings

• Solid understanding of clinical trial methodology, safety oversight, and regulatory requirements

• Proven experience engaging Key Opinion Leaders and scientific societies

Leadership & Skills

• Fluency in English (written and spoken); additional languages are an asset

• Experience in country or regional medical roles is desirable

• Demonstrated servant leadership and ability to influence in complex, matrix environments

• Strong communication, presentation, and stakeholder‑engagement skills

• Sound business acumen within the pharmaceutical industry

• Comfort operating in strategic roles with accountability and shared ownership

We encourage applications even if you do not meet every criterion.
Many successful leaders grow into roles through experience, perspective, and motivation — not by matching every requirement on paper.

Why Abbott

• Purpose‑driven work that improves access to healthcare globally

• A culture that values diversity, inclusion, empathy, and thoughtful leadership

• Opportunities for international collaboration and long‑term career growth

• An environment where your expertise, voice, and perspective truly matter

Abbott is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to building teams that reflect the patients and communities we serve.

Ready to Join Us?

Please submit your CV as a PDF via our careers site.
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