Executive Director, Thought Leader Liaison

Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

4h•$230,000 - $301,000

About The Position

At Pacira, innovation meets purpose. Pacira BioSciences, Inc. is a pioneer in non-opioid pain management and regenerative health solutions. Today, we’re building on that legacy with next-generation innovations for chronic, postsurgical, and musculoskeletal pain. Our culture is built on collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to helping patients recover faster. We are redefining what’s possible in pain management—and we can’t do it without talented people like you. Why Join Us? At Pacira, every career is more than a job. Our mission drives us, and every day, we challenge ourselves to achieve the extraordinary. Integrity is at the core of who we are. We value diverse perspectives and the collective strength of a unified team. Join the team in making better possible for patients everywhere. Summary: Pacira is seeking a seasoned, strategic leader to serve as Executive Director, Thought Leader Liaison (TLL) and head the enterprise TLL organization. This role is accountable for defining and executing Pacira’s thought leader engagement strategy across Orthopedics and Anesthesia, driving measurable advocacy, partnership, and influence with key opinion leaders (KOLs) and professional societies. The Executive Director will lead and manage a team of field-based Thought Leader Liaisons, evolving the function from a primarily engagement-based model to a high-impact, outcomes-driven capability aligned to Pacira’s growth strategy. This individual will operate with a customer-centric mindset, work seamlessly across Commercial, Medical Affairs, Marketing, Market Access, and Training, and establish clear metrics that demonstrate the direct value and impact of the TLL team on Pacira’s enterprise and brand objectives. This is a senior, highly visible leadership role requiring deep clinical and market expertise in Orthopedics and Anesthesia, strong executive presence, and the ability to influence without authority across a complex, matrixed organization.

Requirements

12-15 years of experience in the pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical device industry, with significant time in customer-facing leadership roles.
Deep expertise in Orthopedics and Anesthesia, including strong understanding of clinical practice, stakeholders, and professional societies.
Proven experience engaging, influencing, and activating KOLs at a national and regional level.
Demonstrated people leadership experience, including leading high-performing, field-based teams.
Strong strategic mindset with the ability to translate insights into action.
Experience defining and managing metrics that clearly demonstrate organizational impact.
Exceptional executive presence, communication, and relationship-building skills.
Strong understanding of compliance, legal, and regulatory requirements related to external engagement.
Ability to travel 65-75%.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience leading or building a Thought Leader Liaison or similar strategic external engagement function preferred.
Existing relationships with key KOLs, Centers of Excellence, and professional societies preferred.
Advanced degree (MBA, PharmD, MD, PhD, or equivalent) preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as Pacira’s senior liaison to key professional societies in Orthopedics, Anesthesia, and related specialties.
Build and maintain executive-level relationships with society leadership, boards, and key influencers.
Identify and execute strategic society partnerships that elevate Pacira’s scientific leadership, education footprint, and long-term influence.
Oversee Pacira’s engagement strategy and executive presence at major national and regional congresses.
Own and lead Pacira’s enterprise-wide KOL and Thought Leader strategy across Orthopedics and Anesthesia.
Identify, prioritize, and actively engage national, regional, and emerging KOLs with the ability to influence clinical practice, guidelines, pathways, and professional education.
Drive deep, long-term partnerships with KOLs that move beyond activity to true advocacy and enterprise-level impact.
Ensure systematic capture of KOL insights, beliefs, and unmet needs and translate them into actionable strategies for the organization.
Move beyond relationship management to activating KOLs in high-value initiatives, including: Professional society leadership and committees Clinical pathways, guidelines, and publications Speaker programs, advisory boards, and peer-to-peer education Strategic partnerships aligned to Pacira’s mission and portfolio
Establish best practices for KOL engagement that are scalable, compliant, and measurable.
Partner closely with Medical Affairs, Marketing, Sales, Market Access, Training, and Commercial Operations to ensure aligned, integrated external engagement strategies.
Ensure TLL insights directly inform: Brand strategy and positioning Advisory board planning and execution Peer-to-peer education and speaker strategy Account-based and society-based engagement models
Act as a strategic connector across functions, ensuring KOL efforts are coordinated, non-duplicative, and impactful.
Define and implement a clear, transparent measurement framework for the TLL organization.
Establish metrics that demonstrate the TLL team’s contribution to: KOL advocacy and influence Society partnerships and leadership engagement Clinical education and guideline impact Enterprise and brand-level business objectives
Regularly communicate impact, insights, and performance to senior leadership using a strong, data-driven narrative.
Lead, coach, and develop a team of six (6) US-based Thought Leader Liaisons, setting clear expectations for performance, compliance, and impact.
Establish consistent operating rhythms, prioritization, and best practices across the team.
Build individual development plans and succession strategies to strengthen the TLL talent pipeline.
Continuously evolve the TLL operating model to support Pacira’s current portfolio and future growth.