Field Medical Lead, Rare Diseases (Ontario)

PURPOSE: 

The Field Medical Lead is responsible for leading, managing, and coaching a team of Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) to drive external scientific exchange and educational engagement with key opinion leaders (KOLs), healthcare providers (HCPs), and healthcare entities in alignment with Medical’s strategic priorities. The Field Medical Lead will provide leadership, guidance, and oversight to a team, ensuring effective engagement and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. 

This role requires a strategic thinker who can inspire others, focus on key priorities, and elevate organizational capabilities in line with Takeda's Leadership Behaviors. 

KEY JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES:  

• Lead, manage, mentor, and coach the MSL team to drive performance, foster a collaborative and high-performing culture, and ensure scientific and operational excellence through effective hiring, training, and development planning.

• Set clear expectations and hold MSLs accountable for performance, including goal achievement, territory planning, insights reporting, training completion, and congress participation. 

• Conduct observations of MSL external scientific engagement (in-person and virtual) and perform documentation monitoring.

• In alignment with the Medical Director/Lead, develop and implement annual field medical KOL/HCPengagement plans, scientific communication plans and congress plans as part of the overall Medicalplans.

• Support the development of insight reports from MSLs to provide feedback into Brand and Medical strategies.

• Build and maintain relationships with cross-functional partners as appropriate to support the development and execution of the medicaltactical plan.

• Develop and maintain scientific expertise in the therapeutic area, including Takeda’s marketed products and investigational compounds, and provide scientific training and guidance to the MSL team, ensuring accurate and up-to-date scientific information is communicated.

• Provide guidance and training to the MSL team on compliance and ethical considerations and ensure team adherence to all relevant policies, SOPs, regulations, guidance, and ethical standards.

• Engage in scientific discussions with KOLs/HCPs, and internal stakeholders as needed and document according to SOPs and guidance.

• Oversee team annual budget cycle and ensure team expenditures are kept within budget and aligned to policies and SOPs.

COMPETENCIES:

Occupational Knowledge and Skills

• Deep understanding of the pharmaceutical industry, product development, lifecycle, and commercialization processes, including key functions such as R&D, Regulatory, and Medical Affairs.

• Thorough understanding of legal, compliance, and regulatory guidelines related to medical affairs in the pharmaceutical industry (e.g. IMC).

• Knowledge of the Health Canada policies and other federal and provincial policies impacting the area. 

• Medical competence to understand the disease area landscape, contribute to the patient journey, and define product differentiation and value.

• Knowledge of pertinent external treatment guidelines and current standards of practice for relevant disease areas.

• Therapeutic knowledge, with a preference for prior experience in the therapeutic area,demonstrated ability to quickly gain in-depth understanding of various disease states.

• Ability to analyze, interpretand communicate scientific dataand present complex scientific/medical information to both clinical expertand lay audiences.

• Proven ability to develop and operationalize strategies and tactical plans.

• Strong demonstrated leadership skills to manage and develop a range of professionals within the therapeutic area.

Additional Competencies:

• Proven expertise in matrix project leadership and operational project management, with the ability to manage multiple complex tasks simultaneously and facilitate cross-functional collaboration effectively.

• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, solve complex problems, and apply strong business acumen.

• Financial skills to forecast and manage a budget, and to understand the business implications of decisions and external factors.

• Excellent strategic thinking skills and proven strategic problem-solving ability, including driving to appropriate solutions.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including scientific writing, presenting, influencing, and negotiating. 

• Influencing without authority, managing senior stakeholders and navigating ambiguity and conflict diplomatically.

Digital competencies

• Dedication to leading by example through intentional skill development, experimentation and fostering a culture of digital curiosity within the organization.

• Experience working effectively with colleagues in virtual or remote settings, utilizing digital collaboration tools, incl. MS Teams.

• Proficiency in leveraging digital tools, platforms, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other technologies (including Microsoft Office suite) to communicate with impact and perform tasks efficiently and effectively.

• Understanding of cybersecurity threats and best practices to protect sensitive information and systems.

• Prior experience in driving digital transformation initiatives, showcasing a strategic mindset towards technology innovation and integration with daily work practices.  

EDUCATION, LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE:

• Advanced degree (MD, PharmD, PhD) preferred.

• Consideration will be given to candidates with relevant pharmaceutical industry experience, and/or clinical work, research, or academic endeavors.  

• Minimum of5+ or more years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry and/or relevant clinical/scientific experience, or equivalent combination with demonstrated leadership responsibilities within Medical/Scientific Affairs.

• Experience leading teams required.

• Experience in the therapeutic area – preferred.

• Bilingual (English/French) – a strong asset.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• This is a field-based position.

• Willingness to travel to various meetings or client sites, including overnight trips. Some international travel may be required.