US Cell Therapy National Field Medical Director

Location: Field Based - US

The US Cell Therapy National Field Medical Director (NFMD) leads the field medical strategy for US Cell Therapy Medical Affairs. This role is responsible for shaping field execution, aligning teams around medical priorities, and ensuring strong connection between the field and headquarters.

As a member of the Cell Therapy Medical Leadership Team, the NFMD partners closely with US Medical Affairs, Global Cell Therapy Medical Affairs, and cross-functional stakeholders to support the Cell Therapy portfolio. They bring field insights into strategy discussions and help translate company direction into clear priorities for the field team.

This leader serves as both the voice of the field at headquarters and the voice of headquarters in the field. The NFMD is accountable for delivering business goals and key performance indicators, while owning the growth and evolution of the field-based MSL organization. This includes strengthening ways of working, refining processes, and driving best practices across the team.

Typical Accountabilities:

• Drive the Development of high performing Regional Field Medical Directors (RFMDs) and Medical Science Liaisons (MSL). Includes hiring, recruiting, ongoing performance and talent assessment and development of RFMDs and guiding and assisting RFMDs as they hire, recruit and develop MSLs.

• Partner with Franchise Leadership to understand, develop and implement National Field strategy for assigned therapeutic area; provide direction and prioritization to field medical team around customer engagement plans, speaker program support, clinical trial support, scientific exchange and collaborative research within the therapeutic area. 

• Monitor and measure therapeutic area and priority ESE performance metrics and provide direction and timely feedback to RFMDs regarding these metrics; monitor and measure field performance metrics and identify trends at the team levels. 

• Clearly communicate the impact of the Field Medical teams to senior leaders across the organisation  

• Through coaching and development discussions, ensure RFMDs demonstrate AZ Values.

• Working with Training and Onboarding Lead, ensure all new hires are trained in medical and field skills.  Lead sign-off process for RFMDs and MSLs to ensure all teams meet consistent, rigorous standards of scientific acumen, field behaviors and demonstrate AZ values

• Set and drive appropriate capability development and professional progression across Field Team members.

• Ensure RFMD and MSL compliance with AZ Compliance, SOPs and US laws & regulations for all activities, in line with the principles of Scientific Engagement, the promotional code and field medical practice policies.

• Collaborate with the Medical Heads, SM&M to develop TA plans to improve efficiency in clinical trials  

• In concert with Medical Lead/ Medical Heads, coordinate and direct launch activities across field medical teams in alignment with TA plans and strategies; ensure team compliance with ways of working; accountable for field team preparation and sign off. 

• Represent field medical team in multiple forums in HQ: LRR, BSP, Medical reviews 

• Hold teams accountable for driving business processes and plans that have been outlined for therapeutic area or functional teams, including: Scientific Engagement, Scientific Presentations, External Scientific Expert (ESE) engagement, Account Planning and others as appropriate to meet business objectives and customer needs. 

• In collaboration with RFMDs, flag clinical and medical risks for HCPs and patients to appropriate HQ teams 

• Identify and quantify field medical budget with 3 year look forward including: field medical expansion, field training meetings, field lead advisory boards, field special projects dependent upon therapeutic area.  Reconcile budget quarterly with project management and budget holder, as well as monitor and maintain sustainability targets and budget.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in a relevant health science or clinical field, strong preference for a Pharm D, MD/DO, PHD, PA or NP

• 8 years of experience in the pharmaceutical space, ideally has 10+ years of experience

• 5+ years in field team management experience 

• Ability to Lead Medical Affairs activities in assigned Therapeutic Area and provide leadership to Core Medical Team 

• Strong skills in coaching, leading, and management of people (including 2nd line leadership). 

• Effective communication skills at all levels of the business, including oral, written and presentation 

• Strong business attitude and ability to balance cross-functional objectives. 

• Leadership experience in a matrix environment with demonstrated excellence in cross-functional working to drive business focused outcomes. 

• Effective networking and teamwork skills to achieve business results. 

• Solid understanding of the pharmaceutical governance environment. 

• Significant operational management experience (i.e. resource, budget, project evaluation). 

• Strong negotiation and strategic influencing skills. 

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. 

• Excellent analytical skills 

• Strategic approach 

• Demonstrated ability to prioritise 

• An understanding of clinical development, and statistical design and analysis. 

Desirable Qualifications:

• Terminal degree, plus MBA

• Expertise in Field Medical and US Medical Affairs 

• Experience in the assigned therapeutic area

• Expertise in Strategic Alignment of Medical Affairs External Scientific Expert Engagement Plan 

• Strong knowledge of Medical Strategy and Clinical Development 

• Experience in Product Launch Development and Execution 

Why AstraZeneca?

In our Oncology Business Unit, we change the practice of medicine and improve the patient experience by generating and communicating compelling medical evidence. We translate the wealth of medical and scientific expertise to ensure the data we produce helps physicians to better treat patients at every point in the journey. We are proud to work on the cutting-edge with one of the broadest and deepest Oncology pipelines in the business. Help to advance our pipeline by applying scientific expertise and accelerating our pathway to finding a cure.

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $249,185.60 - $373,778.40 USD Annual and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours. Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition, our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program. Benefits offered included a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and, health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

Are you ready to be part of a talented, cross-functional team working together to improve lives and make the biggest possible impact for patients, science and society?

Apply now!

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