About the role:
Join Takeda as a Director, Field Medical
– Rheumatology, West where you will lead, manage, and coach a team of Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) to drive external scientific engagement with key opinion leaders (KOLs), healthcare providers (HCPs), and healthcare entities in alignment with Takeda US Medical’s strategic priorities. You will also provide leadership, guidance, and oversight to an MSL team, ensuring effective engagement and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. As part of the US Medical team, you will report to the Senior Director, Field Medical.
How you will contribute:
- Lead, manage, mentor, and coach a team of MSLs, maximizing team performance and aligning team activities to US Medical strategic priorities. Ensure scientific and operational excellence of team through hiring, training, and execution of the medical plan.
- Clearly communicate and hold MSLs accountable for meeting performance expectations (e.g., goal achievement, competencies proficiency, territory plan creation and execution, insights reporting, completion of training and administrative duties, congress participation, etc.).
- In alignment with medical strategy, develop and implement annual team tactical plan after gaining required internal approvals.
- Conduct observations of MSL external scientific engagement (in-person and virtual) and perform documentation monitoring.
- Maintain proficiency in using Takeda systems to support coaching for employee performance.
- Develop and execute plan for MSL participation in professional meetings (i.e., congresses).
- Foster a collaborative and high-performing MSL team culture where people feel valued, knowledge is freely shared, and continuous learning and development is a priority.
- Ensure each employee has an individual development plan and support opportunities for employee learning, growth, and development.
- Create MSL team reports (performance and KOL/HCP insights) to internally communicate team progress on execution of team tactical plan and advise US Medical decision-making, strategies, and tactics.
- Build and maintain relationships with US Medical Unit and cross-functional partners (e.g., Clinical Development/Operations, Global Medical, Commercial leadership, etc.), as appropriate to support development and execution of team tactical plan.
- Participate in US Medical Unit and appropriate internal cross-functional meetings.
- Develop and maintain scientific expertise in the therapeutic area, including Takeda’s marketed products and investigational compounds, and provide scientific training and guidance to the MSL team, ensuring accurate and up-to-date scientific information is communicated.
- Provide guidance and training to MSL team on compliance and ethical considerations and ensure team adherence to all relevant policies, SOPs, regulations, guidance, and ethical standards.
- Oversee team annual budget cycle and ensure team expenditures are kept within budget and aligned to policies and SOPs.
- Engage in scientific discussions with KOLs, HCPs, and internal stakeholders as needed and document according to SOPs and guidance.
Minimum Requirements/Qualifications:
- Doctoral degree in life/health sciences is preferred (PharmD, MD, PhD, or equivalent). Master’s degree in health sciences (e.g., MSN, NP, or PA) is the minimum requirement.
- Thorough understanding of and experience working in the pharmaceutical industry and Medical Affairs.
- Proven record of strategic leadership, teamwork, innovation, project management and demonstrated ability to manage, lead and mentor individuals and teams.
- Extensive previous experience as an MSL or a similar scientific role.
- Excellent communication (written and verbal), organization, and collaboration skills.
- Strong foundation in use of digital tools and technologies to drive innovation, enhance productivity, and improve efficiency. Comfort with emerging technologies and digital tools and openness to AI-enabled processes.
- Demonstrated understanding of compliance, ethical, legal, and regulatory guidelines impacting the pharmaceutical industry.
- Experience managing individuals and teams with an advanced scientific degree in a field-based group in the pharmaceutical industry.
- Previous experience and in-depth knowledge of the therapeutic area, including relevant scientific and clinical data.
- Must be 18 years of age or older with valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record
- Able to travel 40-60% of the time, including ability to travel overnight and occasionally on weekends. Must live in the West Region.
- Must have authorization and ability to drive a company leased vehicle or rental
More about us:
At Takeda, we are transforming patient care through the development of novel specialty pharmaceuticals and best in class patient support programs. Takeda is a patient-focused company that will inspire and empower you to grow through life-changing work. Certified as a Global Top Employer, Takeda offers stimulating careers, encourages innovation, and strives for excellence in everything we do. We foster an inclusive, collaborative workplace, in which our teams are united by an unwavering commitment to deliver Better Health and a Brighter Future to people around the world.
