Director, Medical Science Liaison Plastics & Regenerative Medicine

AbbVie•Chicago, IL

8d•$160,500 - $305,000•Remote

About The Position

The Medical Science Liaison (MSL) Director for the Plastics & Regenerative Medicine team is a "player-coach" role responsible for providing leadership, strategic direction, and day-to-day operational management of a 6-person MSL team, while simultaneously maintaining an active field presence as the primary MSL for a small, dedicated territory (exact geography TBD). In the leadership capacity, this individual is accountable for ensuring the team is adequately staffed (according to local needs), trained (therapeutic and functional), and clear on the expectations of their role in the execution of the medical plans. They are accountable for ensuring MSL stakeholder engagement plans are robust, focus on understanding the stakeholder's scientific needs, and align to Brand strategy and medical objectives. They are also responsible for the execution of all MSL activities and ensuring MSLs' scientific engagements with external experts (EEs)/Health Care Professionals (HCPs) are of high scientific quality and appropriately coordinated with other in-field team members to ensure a seamless approach to best meet stakeholder needs. In the player capacity, the MSL Director serves as the primary MSL for a designated territory, maintaining active engagement with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) and HCPs in that region to stay close to the science, customer needs, and evolving market dynamics within Plastics & Regenerative Medicine. This dual mandate ensures that the Director leads by example and retains first-hand clinical insight that strengthens their ability to coach the broader team. The MSL Director establishes a productive work environment by creating trust and respect within the 6-person MSL team; provides regular coaching and feedback to direct reports based on field observation, co-rides, and feedback from other in-field teams; and executes performance management activities including MSL professional growth and development plans. The Director also interfaces and aligns with other members of the Affiliate Medical team and must work collaboratively with numerous cross-functional stakeholders to ensure all in-field teams are working together to provide a coordinated approach to best execute strategies and plans.

Requirements

Advanced degree in health sciences or clinical discipline required. Preferred: Doctorate level degree (i.e. Pharm D, MD/DO, PhD).
Solid knowledge of the pharmaceutical environment and the role of Medical Affairs in contributing to the medical and scientific objectives.
A minimum of 5 years clinical, scientific/research, or pharma industry related experience or equivalent with at least 2 of those years as an MSL.
Prior line management experience of a field-based MSL team strongly preferred; experience as a player-coach or working manager is a distinct advantage.
Excellent written and spoken communication and presentation skills (local language and English preferred).
Proven success in managing multiple projects simultaneously.
Proven ability to work collaboratively cross functionally.
Experience managing and resolving challenging personnel issues.
Ability to travel regularly (approximately 50–60%) to support both direct territory KOL engagement and team co-rides/coaching activities across the 6-person MSL team's geography.
Experience with OR/surgical suite environments and familiarity with credentialing and OR certification processes strongly preferred, given the Plastics & Regenerative Medicine therapeutic focus.
Demonstrated ability to manage operational and administrative responsibilities (e.g., expense approvals, vendor contracting, tool and resource management) alongside active field engagement duties.

Nice To Haves

Doctorate level degree (i.e. Pharm D, MD/DO, PhD).
Experience as a player-coach or working manager is a distinct advantage.
Experience with OR/surgical suite environments and familiarity with credentialing and OR certification processes strongly preferred, given the Plastics & Regenerative Medicine therapeutic focus.

Responsibilities

Ensuring development and implementation of scientific interaction plans for the Plastics & Regenerative Medicine therapeutic area for both on-market products and pipeline products in a timely manner. Provides field scientific support across the lifecycle of a product including both planning and execution by the MSL team and conducts ongoing analysis of clinical and market trends to develop key supporting strategies to meet business objectives.
Proactively participate in Brand Team Meetings ensuring the field medical voice is present to help with plans, communication, monitoring and reporting of MSL metrics and bringing MSL data points and observations into the discussion to help with development of insights for action plans. Ensure MSLs are fully utilizing technology (e.g., CRM, virtual engagement tools, P2P platforms) according to requirements and guidance provided.
Proactively analyzes business needs working in conjunction with the Infield team and the Brand Team (if applicable) to identify opportunities where MSL function enhances business results.
Manage performance of the 6-person MSL team to ensure activities are appropriately aligned to Brand and Medical strategies and plans, while ensuring compliance with all national, local guidelines, and company policies and procedures.
Provide expertise and feedback to coach MSLs in their most important activities (including engagement planning, ensuring that EE/HCP interactions are of high quality in scientific content and interaction approach (Challenger) and scientific storytelling, clinical study engagement activities, responding to medical information enquiries, capturing and reporting of data points and observations, coordination of activities with other in field teams). This includes setting of objectives and regular performance reviews.
Monitor the overall MSL team activities/workload and plan appropriately for resource needs-based product lifecycle and therapeutic area needs.
Maintains proactive and appropriate communication within the broader affiliate Medical Team and Brand Team for therapeutic area/product as it relates to MSL activities/outcomes that support the achievement of business objectives.
Conduct regular field co-rides and 1:1s with all direct reports, using an appropriate combination of direction, support, coaching, and constructive challenge to enable direct reports to fulfill their role requirements, achieve their goals, and continually develop. Field co-rides should include direct observation of scientific exchanges, OR-based interactions, and KOL engagement visits where relevant.
Ensure coordination between MSLs and other members of the in-field teams to ensure integration of medical activities with in-field plans.
Drive recruitment activities for new or replacement positions; ensure on-boarding and training of new MSLs within the therapeutic area team.
Ensure appropriate scientific support and training is provided to the internal stakeholders (i.e. sales training).
In-field team leaders regularly participate in team meetings and contributing to development of plans and monitoring of progress on such plans (mainly related to Field Medical role).
Highlighting FM value to the business by communicating MSL achievements and metrics with appropriate affiliate roles.
Drive field readiness across the team, ensuring MSLs have the scientific training, tools, and resources they need to excel in their roles, including management and maintenance of Operating Room (OR) certifications for team members. Proactively identify gaps and escalate to appropriate responsible parties to ensure rapid resolution. Oversee operational logistics including MSL tool management and vendor contracting as required.
Keeping up to date in therapeutic area, scientific narratives and main study data (at appropriate level) to ensure ability to coach MSL on scientific content of presentations.
Responsible for overall financial and administrative management for the MSL team, including timely review and approval of MSL expense reports to ensure compliance with company policy. Manages day-to-day administrative team duties and operational logistics to ensure smooth team functioning.
Serve as the primary MSL for a small, designated territory (exact geography TBD), maintaining active KOL and HCP engagement in that region to provide direct scientific value, stay current with evolving market dynamics, and model best-in-class field engagement practices for the broader team.