The Head of Medical Scientific Affairs provides strategic and scientific leadership for AO's clinical evidence generation ecosystem and ensures that clinical research investments translate into meaningful improvements in patient care.

He/she serves as a trusted scientific advisor to AO leadership, governance committees, and clinical divisions and represents AO ITC in internal and external scientific initiatives, partnerships, and expert forums.

The role is accountable for developing a high-impact portfolio of clinical studies across Trauma, CMF, Spine,TC, Veterinary, and related orthopedic disciplines, ensuring optimal allocation of resources, scientific excellence, and supporting effective translation of evidence into clinical practice.

The position serves as a key interface between surgeons, researchers, clinical operations, governance bodies, industry partners, and educational stakeholders to maximize the generation, dissemination, and adoption of evidence-based innovations within the AO ecosystem.

Main Responsibilities

Lead the Medical Scientific Affairs team

• Provide scientific, strategic and operational leadership to the Medical Scientific Affairs team with two direct reports, fostering a high-performing, collaborative, and service-oriented culture.
• Define team objectives, priorities, and performance expectations aligned with the organization's strategy and portfolio needs.
• Recruit, develop, coach, and evaluate team members to support professional growth, ensuring the appropriate scientific, clinical, and operational competencies are in place.
• Close collaboration with Clinical Operations in the resource planning and allocation across studies, programs, and stakeholder requests to meet organizational objectives.
• Build effective collaboration between surgeons, governance bodies, Clinical Operations, NCR, AO Education Institute, AO Research Institute, educators, and external partners to advance the Clinical Research activities in the AO.
• Drive continuous improvement of Medical Scientific Affairs processes, standards, and capabilities to enhance quality, efficiency, and impact and establish a culture of scientific excellence, integrity, compliance, and evidence-based decision-making across all Medical Scientific Affairs activities.
• Lead the Clinical Science Advisory Commission (CSAC).
• Lead the AO ITC Clinical Research Fellowship Program.
• Support the AO PEER program.