Field Director, Medical Science Liaisons - Rare Disease

Biogen

About The Position

The Field Director (FD), Medical Science Liaisons, leads and manages the US Medical Science Liaison team (MSLs), ensuring the effective execution and measurement of field medical strategies and activities. This role leads the team who are pivotal in establishing and maintaining scientific relationships with key medical experts (KMEs) and healthcare professionals (HCPs) to support the company’s medical and scientific objectives. At its core, the MSL Field Director role is a blend of scientific leadership, strategic planning, executional excellence, and people management.

Requirements

Advanced scientific or clinical degree required; doctoral level preferred (e.g., MD, PhD, PharmD, DNP)
9+ years of Medical Affairs experience or equivalent
Preferred at least 3 years in a field leadership role or equivalent
Deep understanding of the healthcare/pharmaceutical environment, key drivers, Medical Affairs, regulations, and compliance
Excellent collaboration, presentation, and communication skills
Proven leadership, development, coaching and management of individuals and teams
Demonstrated strategic thinking and the ability to translate a strategy into an executional approach along with a plan for measurement
Able to travel 60% of the time, including ability to travel overnight and occasionally on weekends
Must have a valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record.
Must have authorization and ability to drive a company leased vehicle or rental.

Nice To Haves

In-depth knowledge of Rare Diseases strongly preferred
Performance oriented with business acumen, a focus on customer experience, and a patient-centric approach

Responsibilities

Team Leadership and Development: Recruiting, hiring, training, and managing a team of field-based MSLs. This includes providing ongoing coaching, performance feedback, and professional development to ensure the team possesses a high level of scientific/therapeutic area expertise, knowledge/drivers of the healthcare environment and how to communicate effectively with impact.
Strategic Planning and Execution: Collaborating with internal stakeholders, including medical directors, brand teams, and clinical development, to develop and implement the field medical strategy. This involves translating overarching medical objectives into actionable plans for the MSL team to execute.
Ensuring Compliance: Upholding strict adherence to all relevant regulatory and industry guidelines governing scientific exchange. The Field Director is responsible for ensuring that all MSLs have the skills and tools needed for scientifically focused, fair-balanced, and non-promotional interactions with healthcare professionals.
Scientific and Clinical Expertise: Maintaining a deep understanding of the therapeutic area, the company's products, and the competitive landscape. They serve as a key scientific resource for their team and for internal colleagues.
Stakeholder Relationship Management: Although they may not directly manage HCP relationships, the Field Director provides strategic oversight to the MSL team's engagement plans with key external experts.
Insights Generation and Communication: In collaboration with the Medical Directors Office and Medical excellence, ensure the MSL team gathers valuable insights from the medical community and effectively communicate these insights to relevant internal departments to inform medical and clinical strategy, and tactical planning across the company (including Marketing and Sales).
Performance Metrics and Reporting: Defining and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) for the MSL team to measure the effectiveness and impact of their activities against medical strategic objectives. When necessary, take timely and appropriate actions to help MSLs correct off-track KPIs

Benefits

Medical, Dental, Vision, & Life insurances
Fitness & Wellness programs including a fitness reimbursement
Short- and Long-Term Disability insurance
A minimum of 15 days of paid vacation and an additional end-of-year shutdown time off (Dec 26-Dec 31)
Up to 12 company paid holidays + 3 paid days off for Personal Significance
80 hours of sick time per calendar year
Paid Maternity and Parental Leave benefit
401(k) program participation with company matched contributions
Employee stock purchase plan
Tuition reimbursement of up to $10,000 per calendar year
Employee Resource Groups participation