Regional Director, Field Medical Affairs - East (Irvine)

About the Job

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Regional Director, Field Medical Affairs, to lead our East region. This newly created role will oversee a team of Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) and serve as a key driver of scientific engagement, medical operations strategy, and cross‑functional collaboration.

The ideal candidate brings expertise in Eyecare, strong leadership experience within Medical Affairs, and a demonstrated ability to build meaningful relationships with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) and Eye Care Practitioners (ECPs). The role plays a critical part in advancing the organization’s medical strategy and supporting cross‑functional collaboration across teams. The successful candidate will combine scientific acumen with strong leadership and strategic thinking, driving excellence in field medical execution while contributing to the broader goals of the Medical Affairs organization.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of MSLs (N=6), fostering a collaborative, high‑performing, and scientifically rigorous culture.
• Set clear expectations on the development and execution of territory plans, objectives, and key performance indicators (KPIs) for each MSL.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations, identify skill gaps, and support MSL development through coaching, training, and career growth opportunities.
• Collaborate with the Medical Affairs Operations leadership team to align MSL activities with organizational priorities and strategic initiatives.

Strategic Planning & Execution

• Serve as a disease state and product expert, providing strategic input into MSL educational initiatives and product launch planning.
• Contribute to the development of Field Medical Strategy and Tactics in line with corporate and medical strategic goals.
• Ensure MSLs are equipped with the latest scientific data and clinical information and support their integration into both regional and national‑level initiatives.
• Partner with Medical Affairs Strategy Leads to oversee the Medical Strategy Tactical Team (MSTT), ensuring medical affairs insights are synthesized and translated into actionable plans.
• Collaborate with Field Medical Trainer and Medical Operations Leadership to develop and partake in field medical training and be a resource for our field team.
• Support medical conference strategy and planning, attend conferences to provide scientific expertise and collaborate with ECPs.
• Identify gaps in ECP education and clinical evidence; propose ideas on how to address unmet educational and evidence needs and collaborate with medical experts on disease state and product related education.

Scientific Exchange & KOL Relationship Management

• Provide strategic oversight of MSL‑led engagement with KOLs, ECPs, clinician scientists and researchers, and key stakeholders across the region to ensure consistent, high‑quality scientific exchange.
• Oversee team participation in scientific congresses, advisory boards, and other external engagements to strengthen relationships and advance scientific understanding.
• Stay current on scientific literature and market and keep tabs on KOL engagement and opportunities for disease state education and awareness.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Oversee team adherence to pharmacovigilance and safety requirements, ensuring accurate and timely adverse event reporting.
• Comply with regional Sales leadership (RDLs) for field related needs and solutions.

Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure all MSL activities comply with regulatory, ethical, and company standards, including GxP (Good Clinical Practice) and HIPAA regulations.
• Provide regular updates to Medical Affairs VP and Operations on MSL team progress, KOL engagement, and key initiatives, incorporating metrics on impact and outcomes, as well as feedback, identified opportunities, and potential solutions.
• Stay abreast of the competitive landscape and emerging trends in ophthalmology, ensuring MSL activities reflect the latest scientific advancements.

Leadership Competencies

• Decision Making - Demonstrates strong decision‑making by applying structured analysis to complex challenges, balancing competing priorities and long‑term impacts while engaging stakeholders and driving solutions aligned with organizational goals.
• Collaboration and Team Building - Promotes collaboration by aligning diverse teams around shared goals, fosterin