Overview
Lyell is a late-stage clinical company advancing a pipeline of next-generation CAR T-cell therapies for patients with hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. Reporting to the Chief Medical Officer, the Vice President or Sr. Vice President, Head of Medical Affairs will lead the U.S. Medical Affairs function and team, setting and executing the medical strategy across Lyell’s pipeline as the company prepares for its first approval and commercial launch.
This leader is accountable for building and scaling a high-performing Medical Affairs organization and for providing enterprise-level oversight across a growing, multi-program portfolio—directly overseeing leads for lymphoma, solid tumors, and field medical—while driving scientific communication and education, professional and KOL relationships, patient advocacy, and digital innovation. The Head of Medical Affairs will partner closely with the Executive Committee, Clinical Development, Regulatory, Commercial, Market Access, and Manufacturing leadership to ensure a seamless experience for patients and for cell therapy treatment sites as they engage with Lyell to receive and administer our therapies. The Head of Medical Affairs will be a central contributor to launch readiness and successful launch execution.
This role can be based out of either our Seattle, WA or South San Francisco, CA offices, but can also be remote with regular travel to our offices.
Medical Affairs Strategy & Leadership
- Provide strategic and medical/scientific leadership across the pipeline, spanning hematologic malignancies (lymphoma) and solid tumors.
- Develop and execute integrated U.S. Medical Affairs strategies that align patient needs with scientific, clinical, and corporate objectives.
- Shape the medical narrative, scientific platform, core claims, and evidence-generation priorities to support evolving programs.
- Provide senior medical leadership and insight across Clinical Development, Regulatory, Commercial, and Market Access functions.
- Set enterprise Medical Affairs priorities and allocate resources across multiple concurrent programs and therapeutic areas.
Team Leadership & Development
- Lead and scale the Medical Affairs organization through other senior leaders—setting direction across multiple programs and therapeutic areas, and directly managing the lymphoma, solid tumor, and field medical leads.
- Direct resource planning, prioritization, and budget oversight for Medical Affairs.
- Attract, mentor, and retain top talent; foster a culture of integrity, scientific rigor, collaboration, and patient focus.
- Set clear objectives and performance expectations, and coach team members toward growth and impact.
Launch Readiness
- Drive Medical Affairs contributions to launch readiness and successful launch execution for Lyell’s first and future assets.
- Ensure field medical, scientific communications, and evidence-generation plans are aligned, resourced, and launch-ready.
- Partner with cross-functional launch teams to support a seamless experience for patients and cell therapy treatment sites.
Professional Relations & Scientific Exchange
- Build and strengthen relationships with academic centers, community practices, healthcare professional organizations, medical societies, and key opinion leaders in oncology and hematology.
- Represent Lyell at scientific congresses, advisory boards, and advocacy forums (e.g., ASH, ASCO, EHA, ICML, ESMO).
- Gather and synthesize external insights to shape Medical Affairs initiatives and inform clinical development priorities.
Medical Excellence & Communications
- Oversee the development of medical narratives, scientific platforms, publications strategy, and congress activities.
- Ensure compliant, high-quality execution of field medical and medical communication and education initiatives.
- Partner with Clinical Development to inform trial design, recruitment strategies, and evidence generation needs.
Patient Advocacy & Coalitions
- Develop and execute patient advocacy strategies that integrate the patient perspective across the organization, from discovery through commercialization.
- Build authentic relationships with patient advocacy groups, patient communities, and key stakeholders.
- Advance disease awareness, patient engagement, and policy improvements; oversee company-sponsored patient advocacy events and programs that champion the patient voice.
Digital & AI Innovation
- Drive incorporation of patient insights and digital innovation into Medical Affairs strategic planning.
- Deliver modern engagement strategies for patients and healthcare professionals that enhance scientific exchange and education.
- Explore and pilot AI and data-driven tools and workflows that improve the efficiency, quality, and reach of Medical Affairs—for example, insight synthesis, scientific content development, and field enablement—applied thoughtfully and in a compliant manner.
Compliance & Governance
- Ensure all Medical Affairs activities comply with legal, regulatory, and corporate standards.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of governance frameworks (e.g., MRC, authorship guidelines, steering committee charters).
PREFERRED EDUCATION
- MD or DO strongly preferred; PharmD, PhD, or equivalent advanced scientific degree considered. MBA is a plus.
- Oncology/hematology specialty strongly preferred.
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE
- VP level, 15+ years of experience, or Sr. VP level, 20+ years of experience in clinical medicine, life sciences, and/or the biopharmaceutical industry, with substantial Medical Affairs leadership experience.
- VP level, 5+ years or Sr. VP level, 10+ years of experience of people leadership experience, including building and scaling teams in a high-growth environment.
- Experience leading across multiple programs or therapeutic areas and managing other leaders (managing managers) is strongly preferred.
- Extensive experience in oncology; prior experience in cell therapy, immuno-oncology, hematologic malignancies, or solid tumors highly desirable.
- Prior commercial or launch experience is a strong plus.
- Exposure to, or demonstrated curiosity about, applying AI or digital tools within Medical Affairs or a related function is a plus; leadership-level AI expertise is not required.
- Strong knowledge of U.S. compliance and regulatory requirements applicable to Medical Affairs.
- Demonstrated accountability for internal and external deliverables and for managing direct reports.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Proven scientific expertise in oncology/hematology, with the ability to analyze, interpret, and communicate complex scientific data.
- Innovative, resilient self-starter able to operate effectively in a fast-moving, high-growth biotech environment with limited infrastructure.
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills; able to communicate credibly at all levels internally and with external stakeholders.
- A well-respected, dynamic leader, team player, and coach who leads by example and builds a culture of collaboration and creativity.
- Demonstrated success leading complex, cross-functional initiatives and influencing senior stakeholders.
- Domain interest in digital innovation, with a track record of engagement strategies for patients and physicians.
- Intellectual curiosity and a demonstrated willingness to learn and adopt emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, and to apply them to how Medical Affairs operates, generates evidence, and engages stakeholders.
The salary range for this position is VP salary range: $370,000 to $410,000 or Sr. VP salary range: $410,000 to $470,000 annually, with the opportunity to earn an annual bonus. The salary range is an estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on Lyell’s compensation practices and an applicant’s qualifications and experience. Employees are also eligible to participate in Lyell’s Equity Incentive Plan.
At Lyell, we believe that highest performing teams include people from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences who respectfully challenge each other. We are committed to building an open, diverse and inclusive culture for all employees.
Lyell is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status or any other characteristics protected under applicable federal, state and local laws.
We’ve learned from experience that some of the best people don’t always match our requirements perfectly - if you’re interested and think you could fit, please don’t hesitate to apply.
