Senior Director, Medical Affairs, TA and National Field Lead, Ophthalmics

Job Description

Job Description

Senior Director, Medical Affairs, TA and National Field Lead, Ophthalmics

The Senior Director, Medical Affairs, TA and National Field Lead, Ophthalmics serves as both a strategic medical leader and head of the field medical organization within the ophthalmology therapeutic area. This is unique opportunity to lead a key therapeutic area. This role is responsible for developing and executing medical strategy, while also leading, coaching, and overseeing a team of Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) to ensure high-quality scientific engagement with external stakeholders. The position ensures alignment between strategic priorities and frontline scientific exchange to improve patient outcomes and advance the ophthalmology portfolio.

Responsibilities:

Medical Strategy & Portfolio Leadership

• Lead the development and execution of the integrated Medical Affairs strategy for ophthalmology (e.g., retina, glaucoma, ocular inflammation, dry eye disease).
• Provide medical leadership across the product lifecycle (early pipeline through post-marketing).
• Partner with Clinical Development, Marketing, Professional Relations, Market Access, and Regulatory teams to shape product strategy and differentiation.
• Drive launch readiness and post-launch optimization from a medical perspective.
• Translate field insights into actionable strategic recommendations.

Evidence Generation & Scientific Communication

• Oversee Investigator-Initiated Studies (IIS), collaborative research, and real-world evidence (RWE) initiatives.
• Guide development and execution of publication and communication plans.
• Ensure effective dissemination of clinical data and scientific insights to the field and internal stakeholders.
• Identify evidence gaps and research opportunities in ophthalmology.
• Establish systems to capture, analyze, and synthesize MSL insights from the field.
• Use insights to inform medical strategy, identify unmet patient needs, and guide clinical and sales decision-making

People Leadership Responsibilities

• Direct line management of Medical Science Liaisons.
• Responsible for onboarding talent, coaching and mentoring, performance management and development planning, building a high-performing, scientifically credible field team.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation and continuous learning.

Field Medical Science Liaison Team Leadership

• Lead, manage, and develop a team of Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs).
• Establish clear objectives, KPIs, and performance standards for field medical activities.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and scientific guidance to enhance team effectiveness.
• Ensure consistent execution of high-quality, compliant scientific exchange across regions.
• Optimize territory alignment, resource allocation, and field deployment strategy.

KOL Engagement & External Scientific Leadership

• Personally engage with top-tier Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), academic centers, and investigators.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with leaders in ophthalmology.
• Represent the company at major scientific congresses (AAO, ARVO, ASRS, etc.) and advisory boards.
• Lead and support advisory boards, expert panels, and scientific forums.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as a key medical voice in cross-functional teams and governance forums.
• Collaborate with: Clinical Development (ensure data interpretation/insights from field inform study relevance and patient outcomes), Sales and Professional Relations (while maintaining clear compliance boundaries), Market Access (value messaging and HEOR alignment), Regulatory (labeling and scientific accuracy).
• Contribute to training and capability building across the organization.

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure all medical and field activities adhere to PhRMA / ABPI / local compliance codes, internal SOPs and ethical standards.
• Maintain strict separation of medical and promotional activities.
• Oversee appropriate documentation and reporting of field interactions.

People Leadership Responsibilities

• Direct line management of Medical Science Liaisons.
• Responsible for onboarding talent, coaching and mentoring, performance management and development planning, building a high-performing, scientifically credible field team.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation and continuous learning.

Requirements

• MD, OD, PharmD, or PhD in life sciences required. Clinical experience in ophthalmology is required. Board certification in ophthalmology or optometry is preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in Pharmaceutical/biotech Medical Affairs, Field Medical (MSL leadership required).
• Demonstrated success in strategic medical leadership, leading MSL teams, and managing people.
• Strong background in ophthalmology therapeutic area.
• Experience with product launches, lifecycle management, and evidence generation.
• Hybrid minimum 3 days in office.
• Travel (up to 50%) including: field visits with MSLs, KOL engagements, scientific congresses.

Base salary range for this position is $243,000 to $297,000. This is the anticipated salary range for fully qualified candidates. The final salary offered will be dependent on several factors that include and are not limited to relevant previous experience, job responsibilities and duration of experience, the type and length of experience within the industry, education, etc.

Company Description

Openwork is a candidate-focused staffing company on a mission to bring ease, accessibility, and thoughtfulness to an industry we’ve held a footing in for 50+ years. We believe there’s more to life than livelihood, but that finding your dream job, career, or team is a really good place to start.

Company Description

Openwork is a candidate-focused staffing company on a mission to bring ease, accessibility, and thoughtfulness to an industry we’ve held a footing in for 50+ years. We believe there’s more to life than livelihood, but that finding your dream job, career, or team is a really good place to start.