KOL Engagement Lead, Oncology

Job Description

Job Description

KOL Engagement Lead, Oncology

Help Shape the Future of Oncology Imaging

Canon Healthcare USA is looking for a strategic, relationship-driven oncology leader to help connect the voice of clinical experts with the future of imaging innovation. As our KOL Engagement Lead, Oncology, you will serve as the clinical-area owner for oncology Key Opinion Leader engagement, external relationship development, advisory activities, and collaborative research execution.

This is a high-impact role for someone who thrives at the intersection of clinical insight, innovation, research collaboration, and relationship-building. You will work with oncology KOLs, healthcare provider investigators, academic institutions, research partners, Canon group companies, and internal teams to identify unmet clinical needs, evaluate collaboration opportunities, and help shape evidence-generation activities aligned with Canon’s business and innovation priorities.

If you are energized by building trusted external partnerships, translating clinical perspectives into actionable recommendations, and helping advance meaningful oncology imaging solutions, this role offers the opportunity to make a visible impact.

What You’ll Do

Build and Lead Oncology KOL Strategy

• Develop and execute oncology KOL engagement plans that support Canon’s modality, clinical application, product, and innovation priorities.
• Build trusted, collaborative relationships with oncology KOLs, clinical investigators, academic medical centers, and healthcare provider partners.
• Represent Canon in scientific meetings, advisory forums, clinical conferences, research discussions, and external partner engagements.
• Capture and synthesize insights on oncology imaging workflows, unmet needs, adoption barriers, evidence gaps, and emerging clinical trends.

Drive High-Quality KOL Engagement Execution

• Partner with KOL Operations Support to use KOL databases, profiles, mapping, identification workflows, dashboards, and activity tracking.
• Coordinate with KOL Operations Support and Legal/Compliance to ensure engagement activities follow required processes.
• Own engagement follow-through, including contracting coordination, SOW routing, advisory board logistics, meeting preparation, documentation, action-item follow-up, and stakeholder communication.
• Keep engagement documentation timely, complete, and aligned with internal expectations.
• Support consistent, scalable KOL engagement practices across Oncology and future clinical areas.

Advance Clinical Research and Collaboration

• Identify, evaluate, and support KOL-driven or collaborative research opportunities aligned with Canon’s business and innovation goals.
• Partner with internal teams and external investigators to define research objectives, study concepts, deliverables, timelines, and success measures.
• Serve as the liaison between Canon teams and external investigators for oncology collaborations, including research concepts, SOW routing, milestones, and deliverables.
• Coordinate clinical-site research activities with Canon Inc and other Canon teams to support new product innovation.
• Ensure scientific rigor and alignment with clinical, compliance, and strategic objectives, including GCP where applicable.

Turn Insights into Action Across the Business

• Translate KOL insights into product, market development, and innovation strategies with Upstream Marketing and Canon group companies.
• Support product concept validation, evidence-generation planning, scientific presentations, and external clinical communication.
• Monitor oncology imaging trends, competitive activity, clinical practice developments, and emerging technologies.
• Provide updates, insight summaries, research opportunity assessments, risks, and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Encourage investigator-driven innovation and visibility of research outcomes and partner contributions.

What We’re Looking For

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required in medical imaging, biomedical engineering, life sciences, health sciences, clinical research, oncology-related discipline, or related field.
• Advanced degrees such as M.S., Ph.D., MBA, MPH, or clinical degree preferred.

Required Experience and Capabilities

• 5+ years of relevant experience in healthcare, medical technology, diagnostic imaging, oncology, clinical research, medical affairs, strategic partnerships, or related field.
• Experience engaging physicians, clinical investigators, academic institutions, healthcare systems.
• Experience supporting clinical research collaborations, investigator-sponsored studies, advisory boards, external innovation partnerships, or healthcare provider research projects.
• Strong understanding of medical imaging and oncology-related clinical workflows.
• Ability to synthesize clinical, market, and technical insights into clear recommendations for Upstream Marketing, Partner Development, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Strong project management skills, including management of external collaborations, timelines, deliverables, contracting/SOW dependencies, advisory activities, and follow-up requirements.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with senior physicians, researchers, executives, and cross-functional teams.
• Ability to work effectively across functions, cultures, and global Canon group companies.
• Familiarity with Good Clinical Practice, clinical research operations, and compliant HCP/KOL engagement practices.

Preferred Experience

• Experience with research contracting, SOW development/routing, IRB processes, fair market value processes, advisory boards, or investigator-sponsored research.
• Prior experience in medtech, diagnostic imaging, healthcare AI, or global healthcare organizations.

Where You’ll Work

This role is based at Canon Healthcare’s permanent headquarters on Cedar and 105th in Cleveland’s Opportunity Corridor.

Travel

Domestic and international travel is required.

About us!

 

Canon Healthcare USA, Inc. (CHCU) is a dynamic and growing subsidiary of Canon, Inc., dedicated to advancing healthcare innovation. At CHCU, we are building a forward-thinking organization that values diversity, fosters collaboration, and champions excellence in everything we do.

Our team is committed to creating a workplace that recognizes and celebrates individual differences, promotes work-life balance, and encourages collective success through cross-functional collaboration. We seek talented individuals who bring unique perspectives, skills, and experiences—helping us drive impactful advancements in healthcare.

At CHCU, you’ll find a rewarding work environment, professional growth opportunities, and a culture of innovation. We offer challenging career paths, competitive compensation, and comprehensive benefits to support our employees’ personal and professional well-being. The annual salary range for this role is $127,000 - $190,000. Compensation decisions are based on a variety of factors, including relevant experience, qualifications, skills, education, and internal equity. New hires are typically not placed at the top of the salary range.

At Canon Healthcare USA, we are committed to creating an environment where talented individuals can thrive, innovate, and contribute to advancing healthcare. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Canon Healthcare USA does not provide employment visa sponsorship for this position, either now or in the future. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship

Our Total Rewards program includes:

Paid time off 

• Eligible on first day: Vacation, Holiday, Sick Time, Community Service
• Parental leave*

Benefit Coverage Eligible on first day:

• Medical Benefits
• Prescription Drug Benefits
• Vision Benefits
• Dental Benefits
• Health & Wellness Options 
• International Medical Coverage
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life Insurance & Accidental Death and Dismemberment Plan
• Disability Benefits
• Employee Development / Education Programs including Tuition Reimbursement*
• 401k Plan with match*
• Financial Protection Benefits
• Travel Benefits
• Legal & Tax Services Benefits

* After initial waiting period

 

 

At CHCU, we create a culture where it’s safe to share ideas, take smart risks, and learn from setbacks—while owning outcomes, working across teams, and leading with curiosity—guided by our values: Safe to Speak, Safe to Try, Safe to Fail ; Own the Impact ; Together We Deliver ; and Lead with Curiosity .

Join us and be part of something extraordinary!