Medical Science Liaison Director

Summary

Join Ultragenyx, a biopharmaceutical company focused on rare disease medicine, as the National Director US Field Medical. Lead and manage a team of Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) supporting approved and investigational therapies. Develop and execute field medical strategies, engage with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), and ensure effective communication of scientific information. This role requires strong leadership, strategic planning, and collaboration with cross-functional stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have extensive MSL experience, a strong scientific background, and a proven track record of success in the rare disease field. Ultragenyx offers a supportive and inclusive work environment with a range of benefits.

Requirements

• Advanced clinical/science degree required (e.g. PharmD, PhD, MD or equivalent)
• Minimum of 7 years of experience as a Medical Science Liaison (MSL), or 5 years of combined MSL and other relevant experience, with at least 2 years of managerial experience leading and supervising MSLs or clinical teams or demonstrated success of leadership capabilities
• Experience launching an investigational therapy in the United States
• Knowledge and experience in interpreting and adhering to FDA regulations regarding product promotion, scientific exchange, and health care practitioner guidelines
• Demonstrated proficiency in written, verbal, and face to face communications to effectively present information to and influence / support decision making of KOLs, direct MSL reports, medical affairs leadership, and cross-functional partners
• Strong coaching and leadership skills, including the capability to quickly identify and develop improvement opportunities and build the trust and confidence of the team toward successful outcomes and attainment of department objectives
• Leads by example and models core company values creating a culture of accountability, performance recognition and teamwork
• Excellent interpersonal and partnering skills to facilitate the building of relationships quickly
• Thinks strategically and leverages knowledge of general business practices, the industry, medical practices and Ultragenyx strategic objectives to create a team strategy to achieve commitments
• Demonstrates project management skills and effectively manages multiple competing priorities, focusing on priorities of higher impact while maintaining control over competing priorities
• Makes effective business decisions when faced with competing scientific and business priorities, limited information, changing circumstances and/or tight deadlines
• Performs all Company business in accordance with all regulations and Company policy and procedures
• Demonstrates high ethical and performance standards with all business contacts in order to maintain Ultragenyx exceptional reputation within the medical, pharmaceutical and Rare Disease community
• Ability to travel as required

Responsibilities

• Manage the Field Medical Affairs field-based team, with an expectation of team being proficient at MSL duties. Requires coaching, high scientific acumen, performance management; skilled leadership and mentoring to retain and develop top talent
• Execute Field Medical team KOL engagement strategy, tactical plan, and launch strategy in alignment with the US Field Lead, other Medical Affairs functions and cross functional stakeholders
• Leads reporting of post-congress reports and medical and clinical insights that contribute to product launch, the enhancement of Ultragenyx’s key medical positions, plans, future research and development efforts; and proactively identifies unmet needs
• Tracks and implements relevant metrics for product launch and MSL activities
• Identify, establish and maintain long-term, strategic scientific relationships with KOLs, and connecting them to appropriate internal stakeholders ensuring research, scientific, and clinical interests are communicated
• Develop and execute US territory and KOL engagement plans for KOLs to enable high-quality, impactful scientific engagement and education
• Understand and document KOL’s scientific point of view on Ultragenyx’s medical and scientific positions on rare diseases
• Provide fair balanced clinical presentations and medical information in response to unsolicited questions as appropriate in academic, community, and healthcare provider settings
• Identify and critically assess research opportunities and play a supportive role in the execution of evidence generation plans
• Collaborate with the Clinical Operations organization to enhance patient enrollment in company-sponsored clinical trials by identifying appropriate clinical trial sites and interacting with investigators in ongoing studies
• Represent Ultragenyx at scientific conferences and meetings, engaging with KOLs and collating scientific data insights

Preferred Qualifications

Prior experience in rare disease is preferred

Benefits

• Generous vacation time and public holidays observed by the company
• Volunteer days
• Long term incentive and Employee stock purchase plans or equivalent offerings
• Employee wellbeing benefits
• Fitness reimbursement
• Tuition sponsoring
• Professional development plans
• Annual bonus
• Equity incentives