Director, Scientific Training & Development

Alkermes

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director, Scientific Training & Development leads scientific and clinical training strategy for designated Medical Affairs field teams. The role develops, governs, and delivers phase-appropriate curricula to build and sustain MSL scientific competency, communication effectiveness, and field readiness. In partnership with Field Medical Affairs leadership and cross-functional stakeholders, the Director translates business priorities, emerging evidence, and field observations into measurable learning programs and targeted development support. The position leads training strategy and curriculum development, including onboarding, ongoing development, advanced therapeutic education, case-based learning, competency assessments, and certification. It supports MSL field development and coaching, scientific readiness for congresses, cross-functional training, and operational excellence. The role is based in Waltham, Massachusetts, and follows a hybrid workplace model requiring at least three days onsite per week, with approximately 15% travel.

Requirements

Adult learning and scientific training experience.
Approximately 5 or more years of relevant pharmaceutical, biotechnology, Medical Affairs, research and development, pharmacology, clinical, or scientific education experience, with depth of experience commensurate with a director-level role.
Experience leading complex projects and working with cross-functional teams.
Experience reviewing scientific literature and clinical data.
Demonstrated scientific, strategic, and creative thinking, with the ability to translate complex information into effective learning experiences.
Strong written, verbal, facilitation, and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate with scientific rigor and appropriate fair balance.
Ability to assess clinical and scientific information and present a highly professional scientific profile of products, disease states, pipeline assets, and relevant competitive developments.
Strong organization, coordination, planning, and stakeholder-management skills.
Ability to resolve emerging issues by mobilizing internal teams and external experts.
Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships across levels and functions and adapt communication style to the audience.
Ability to remain supportive, solutions-oriented, and effective under pressure.

Nice To Haves

Advanced scientific or clinical degree, such as PharmD, MD, NP/CNS, or PhD.
A master's or bachelor's degree with relevant experience may be considered.
Psychiatry or neuroscience experience.
Previous experience as a professor, preceptor, or scientific educator.
Experience presenting or publishing scientific data.

Responsibilities

Lead the strategic direction, development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Medical Affairs training and education strategy in partnership with Medical Affairs leadership.
Design and maintain curricula for new-hire onboarding, ongoing development, advanced therapeutic education, case-based learning, competency assessments, and certification.
Create, maintain, and update scientific training materials, including slide decks, FAQs, mechanism-of-action resources, disease-state summaries, and assessments, using current evidence, prescribing information, publications, and congress data.
Establish and maintain a measurable, behavior-based MSL competency framework aligned with organizational goals and field standards.
Assess training effectiveness using performance indicators and learner feedback; identify gaps and implement improvement or remediation plans.
Maintain training processes and documentation, including the training matrix, with version control and audit readiness.
Lead new-hire MSL onboarding, including presentation training, recurring check-ins, curriculum completion support, and final certification.
Partner with MSL Regional Directors to identify scientific training needs and convert field-ride observations into targeted upskilling, coaching, and remediation activities.
Conduct ad hoc field work as requested by the applicable MSL Regional Director.
Coach MSLs on scientific insight capture, synthesis, and communication, while reinforcing expectations for engagement planning, documentation, and follow-up.
Support scientific training at regional and franchise-level meetings and provide timely education related to data readouts, publications, pipeline milestones, and competitor developments.
Coordinate onboarding support for other Medical Affairs personnel, as appropriate.
Lead scientific readiness activities before and after major congresses, including review of relevant data, development of scientific summaries and internal materials, and coordination of Medical Affairs attendee information.
Collaborate with the Thought Leader Engagement team and Field Medical Affairs leadership to build scientific readiness for congress activities, thought-leader interactions, and insight capture.
Attend selected congresses to provide real-time scientific interpretation, support Medical Affairs activities, and observe field scientific communication during MSL engagements.
Plan and execute educational seminars with internal and external subject-matter experts for Medical Affairs and, as needed, other Alkermes stakeholders.
Liaise with Commercial Training, Marketing, Sales Leadership, R&D, Corporate Affairs, Legal, Regulatory, and Compliance to coordinate appropriate, compliant Medical Affairs contributions and training support.
Ensure training content is accurate, fair balanced, and developed in accordance with applicable legal, regulatory, compliance, and review requirements.
Evaluate internal and external training programs, consultants, and vendors, and recommend solutions that address identified learning needs.
Standardize field practices and ensure consistent access to current training resources across the field medical organization.
Proactively communicate across teams to maintain alignment, clarify ownership, and support timely execution.
Contribute to budget planning and manage assigned training activities within approved resources.