Senior Director, Team Lead US Medical Affairs, COPD
WFA Digital Insight
As the demand for specialized medical affairs professionals grows, roles like this Senior Director position at MSD are becoming increasingly important. With a focus on COPD and respiratory health, this role requires strong leadership and strategic thinking. The US medical affairs market is expected to see significant growth, with some estimates suggesting a 25% increase in demand for professionals with expertise in respiratory health. MSD stands out for its commitment to scientific integrity and patient-centered value, making this a compelling opportunity for those who share these values. Before applying, candidates should be prepared to showcase their experience in leading cross-functional teams and driving strategic initiatives in the medical affairs space.
Job Description
About the Role
The Senior Director, Team Lead of US Medical Affairs for COPD is a critical leadership role at MSD, residing within the Value & Implementation organization. This position drives strategic clarity, operational excellence, and cross-functional collaboration to enable impactful scientific engagement and insight generation. The successful candidate will be responsible for guiding, coaching, and developing Field Medical Affairs Professionals to execute high-quality scientific and medical activities in alignment with USMA and enterprise priorities.The role requires a deep understanding of the medical affairs landscape, particularly in the context of COPD and respiratory health. The Senior Director will work closely with cross-functional teams to drive strategic initiatives and ensure that all work reflects MSD's commitment to scientific integrity, ethical leadership, and patient-centered value.
What You Will Do
- Provide clear direction, vision, and alignment to USMA strategy and enterprise priorities
- Foster team cohesion, morale, and resilience through effective communication, recognition, and accountability
- Create a culture of trust and psychological safety that promotes continuous learning and growth
- Empower team members to lead, take ownership, and drive innovation across the organization
- Serve as a trusted partner to senior leaders, offering insights that shape decisions and strategic planning
- Set clear, measurable objectives aligned to USMA goals and monitor progress against established performance expectations
- Ensure accountability by the disciplined use of performance documentation, highlighting impact, and addressing gaps in a timely manner
- Act as a responsible data steward to inform decision-making and demonstrate impact by the use of data, metrics, and reporting tools
- Model integrity and ensure team adherence to compliance, medical governance, and regulatory requirements
What We Are Looking For
- Minimum MD, PhD, PharmD, DNP, or DO with demonstrated ability to effectively lead and coach scientific/medical colleagues at all skill and knowledge levels
- Three (3) years in customer-facing, field medical-affairs role or relevant experience
- Excellent interpersonal communication and presentation skills, strong personal integrity, teamwork abilities, business acumen, and focus on scientific education and dialogue
- Relevant therapeutic area knowledge (respiratory, specifically COPD)
- Ability to organize, prioritize, and work effectively in a constantly changing environment and to motivate a team to do the same
- Proficiency in Excel and other data analysis tools
- Strong problem-solving and strategic thinking skills
Nice to Have
- Experience with cross-functional team leadership and collaboration
- Knowledge of regulatory and compliance requirements in the medical affairs space
- Familiarity with data analysis and reporting tools, such as Tableau or Power BI
Benefits and Perks
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Opportunity to work with a leading pharmaceutical company
- Collaborative and dynamic work environment
- Professional development and growth opportunities
- Flexible working arrangements, including remote work options
- Access to cutting-edge technology and tools
- Comprehensive health and wellness programs
- Generous paid time off and holiday schedule
How to Stand Out
- To stand out in this role, be prepared to showcase your experience in leading cross-functional teams and driving strategic initiatives in the medical affairs space.
- Develop a strong understanding of the regulatory and compliance requirements in the medical affairs space, particularly in the context of COPD and respiratory health.
- Highlight your proficiency in data analysis and reporting tools, such as Excel, Tableau, or Power BI, and be prepared to demonstrate your ability to drive insights and inform decision-making.
- Showcase your ability to communicate complex scientific information to both technical and non-technical audiences, and be prepared to provide examples of your experience in this area.
- Be prepared to discuss your experience with change management and your ability to motivate teams in a constantly changing environment.
- When negotiating salary, be sure to research the market rate for similar roles and be prepared to make a strong case for your compensation package.
- Pay attention to the company culture and values, and be sure to ask questions about the team's dynamics and how they support remote work.
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