Head of Research and Scientific Communication

Virta Health

6d•$156,367 - $183,961•Remote

About The Position

Virta Health is seeking an experienced leader to provide strategic vision for its research team and effectively communicate scientific findings to a global audience. This role requires an individual with extensive research experience, strong leadership skills to guide a team, and exceptional communication abilities to implement a strategy for sharing Virta's science with key opinion leaders, scientists, and commercial stakeholders. The clinical research team's mission is to generate rigorous evidence to inform Virta’s care, build credibility among clinical, commercial, and scientific audiences, and accelerate the expansion of Virta’s care model. The team prioritizes evidence to improve patient outcomes and impact metabolic disease at scale. With a focus on long-term health outcomes and economic impact, the team is expanding its work in real-world evidence, seeking a leader experienced in leveraging claims and clinical datasets to demonstrate the impact of clinical health programs. This leader will also be responsible for building KOL networks, communicating science, and partnering with Commercial Marketing to translate clinical outcomes, economic impact, and research leadership into a compelling market narrative. The goal is to ensure Virta’s evidence base is not only disseminated but actively used to shape market understanding of metabolic health outcomes and the value of Virta’s care model.

Requirements

A doctoral degree (PhD, DrPH, MD, PharmD, or equivalent research doctorate) in HEOR, clinical outcomes research, health economics, health services research, pharmacoepidemiology, epidemiology, biostatistics, public health, quantitative social sciences, clinical research methodology, or a related quantitative health research discipline is required.
At least two years of experience working with patients directly in a clinical or research setting. Virta succeeds through behavior change, and thus experience working with patients to make healthy choices in their lives is essential.
A strong point of view on how to communicate science to different audiences outside of the typical presentation/publication pathway.
Demonstrated experience partnering with commercial, marketing, or go-to-market teams to translate clinical evidence, outcomes research, or HEOR findings into market-facing narratives, thought leadership, sales enablement, and executive/customer communications.
Experience developing and executing KOL engagement strategies, including formal KOL mapping, identification and prioritization of key stakeholders, advisory board planning, scientific communications, and ongoing external relationship management.
Familiarity with the process of generating real-world evidence leveraging multiple data sources.
Demonstrated people leadership with at least five years of experience building, mentoring, and developing high-performing teams. Proven ability to support team members’ technical growth and career advancement, and cultivate a collaborative, inclusive, and engaging team culture
At least five years of business experience working in a start-up or related high-growth organization in order to translate Virta science for the marketplace.
Outstanding scientific writing skills. The successful candidate will have drafted, edited, and published multiple peer-reviewed publications both as first and as senior author.
A firm, innate, understanding of trial design.
Direct experience working with IRBs and the compliance side of research.
Poise. We are looking for a leader who is comfortable in front of an audience, presents naturally and with authority, and will help build the Virta brand.

Nice To Haves

Experience in metabolic health is highly desirable.
Experience with health economics (HEOR) is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Lead and nurture Virta’s team of experienced clinical researchers who have decades of combined experience developing, implementing, and publishing data from pivotal clinical trials in metabolic health, as well as presenting and publishing on analyses from our own registry data.
Build a network of key investigators who are interested in collaborating with Virta researchers on trials that extend the impact of the Virta program.
Partner closely with Commercial Marketing and Sales to define the evidence, proof points, claims, stories, and external-facing assets needed to educate the market, support enterprise growth, and position Virta as the evidence-based leader in metabolic health.
Strategically align Virta’s scientific work with key national and international conferences, meetings, and symposia.
Represent Virta’s science on the podium at scientific meetings, in calls and presentations with Virta’s clients and sales prospects, and at internal meetings.
Participate as an active member of the Virta Medical Group leadership team, representing the scientific point of view and leading/collaborating on evidence-based clinical initiatives that advance the quality and efficiency of the care Virta provides to thousands of patients suffering from metabolic health adversity.
Develop and advance a real world evidence program, leveraging source of data both within and outside of Virta.
Work cross functionally to inject evidence into Virta processes - from clinical care to coaching to product development.