SVP, Therapeutic Head, Gastroenterology

Alfasigma is a privately held global healthcare company founded over 75 years ago in Italy, where it remains headquartered today in Bologna and Milan. The Group operates in over 100 markets spanning Europe, North and South America, Asia, and Africa.

Over the past several years, Alfasigma has embarked on a transformative journey to become a truly global innovative healthcare company with a leading focus on Gastrointestinal (GI) health. Through significant investment in research and development, strategic acquisitions, and portfolio expansion, the company continues to strengthen its position as a leader in GI and hepatology while advancing innovation across specialty and rare disease areas.

As we continue to grow and advance our global pipeline, we are seeking a SVP, Therapeutic Area Head, Gastroenterology, to join our Global Research & Development Leadership Team.  This position will be remotely based in the US, preferred east coast (EST)

Scope of the role:

The SVP Therapeutic Area Head, Gastroenterology will serve as a senior scientific and strategic leader responsible for defining and executing the global strategy for the Gastrointestinal (GI) and hepatology therapeutic area. This individual will oversee the development and lifecycle management of the GI portfolio, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives, innovation priorities, and patient needs.

The role will drive the advancement of the GI clinical pipeline, oversee portfolio investments, and collaborate closely with stakeholders across R&D, Regulatory, Medical Affairs, Commercial, and Business Development functions. As a recognized expert in gastroenterology and hepatology, this leader will also represent Alfasigma externally and build strong relationships with key opinion leaders, academic institutions, and scientific networks.

Your key responsibilities:

• Lead the development and execution of the global Gastroenterology therapeutic area strategy aligned with corporate R&D and portfolio priorities.

• Define long-term scientific, clinical, and portfolio strategies to strengthen Alfasigma’s leadership in GI and hepatology.

• Monitor scientific, clinical, and competitive developments to identify emerging opportunities, unmet needs, and potential risks.

• Lead the GI therapeutic area portfolio, including clinical pipeline programs and lifecycle management initiatives.

• Oversee the successful execution of clinical development programs from early clinical development through late-stage development, registration, and post-approval lifecycle management.

• Ensure alignment between scientific strategy, regulatory pathways, and commercial objectives.

• Design development strategies and clinical programs for GI and hepatology assets.

• Partner with Regulatory leadership to develop global regulatory strategies and submission plans.

• Collaborate closely with Clinical Operations, Biometrics, Translational Science, CMC, and Regulatory teams to ensure efficient advancement of programs.

• Serve as the GI therapeutic area lead for Business Development activities, including licensing, partnership, and acquisition opportunities

• Provide scientific and strategic leadership for due diligence evaluations and external innovation initiatives.

• Own and manage the budget for the GI therapeutic area portfolio and allocate resources to maximize portfolio value and patient impact.

• Ensure programs progress according to timelines, milestones, and financial objectives.

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key opinion leaders, academic institutions, and research networks in gastroenterology and hepatology.

• Represent Alfasigma within the global scientific and medical community.

• Collaborate with Global Medical Affairs, Strategic Marketing, Corporate Strategy, and Commercial teams to align development priorities with broader organizational goals.

Who you are:

• Minimum of 10 years of clinical development experience within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.

• Extensive experience across early and late-stage drug development (Phase I–III).

• Medical degree (MD) required; advanced scientific training in biological sciences or related disciplines preferred.

• Deep expertise in gastroenterology, hepatology, or related therapeutic areas.

• Demonstrated success leading complex global clinical development programs.

• Experience contributing to therapeutic area strategy, portfolio management, lifecycle planning, and business development activities.

• Rare disease experience within GI and/or hepatology is highly desirable.

• Strong understanding of gastrointestinal disease biology, treatment paradigms, and emerging therapeutic modalities.

• Knowledge of the competitive landscape, clinical innovation, and evolving scientific trends within GI and hepatology.

• Experience with innovative clinical trial design and development of novel therapeutic approaches.

• Ability to develop and execute long-term therapeutic area strategies aligned with enterprise objectives.

• Strong business acumen, portfolio management capabilities, and strategic decision-making skills.

• Proven ability to influence and engage cross-functional stakeholders within a matrix organization.

• Strong relationship-building skills with internal teams, external experts, and scientific leaders.

• Demonstrated success building and leading high-performing scientific and clinical teams.

• Ability to balance scientific rigor, operational execution, financial stewardship, and strategic priorities.

• Strong track record of delivering complex development programs and achieving key milestones.

Why Join Alfasigma:

At Alfasigma, we foster a culture where scientific excellence, innovation, and patient impact are at the core of everything we do.

We offer a highly visible leadership opportunity to shape the future of one of the company’s most strategic therapeutic areas while working alongside talented colleagues across a global organization.

Our commitment to patients, science, and innovation drives us to pursue transformative therapies that address significant unmet medical needs. We value diverse perspectives, collaboration, and entrepreneurial thinking as we continue to strengthen our position as a global leader in GI health.

Join Alfasigma and become part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to advancing innovation and improving the lives of patients worldwide.