Senior Medical Science Liaison, Nephrology (Northern California, OR, WA and Alaska)

Position Overview – Senior Medical Science Liaison

Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. customer engagement approach is designed to better deliver on patient, caregiver and HCP needs in an evolving healthcare environment. This model is built around where patients get their care—locally, with the intent to better serve patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers, delivering a higher quality experience that ultimately is focused on improving patient care.

The local “ecosystem approach” creates a unified focus among account management, medical, patient access, marketing and market access to engage local healthcare systems and identify opportunities to improve the patient experience. Through this matrix model, customers will now experience more coordinated and seamless care with digital‑enabled support to help bridge care gaps.

As an integral member of the ecosystem team for Otsuka’s ecosystem‑based customer engagement model, the Senior Medical Science Liaison (MSL), contributes to the development of the ecosystem strategic business plan and identifies key stakeholders that are vital to the ecosystem.

The Senior MSL is a credible partner responsible for providing clinical, scientific and health economic information related to nephrology and immunology disease states and the appropriate utilization of approved Otsuka products within an ecosystem. This field‑based position will engage with Key Influencers (KIs), Local Practice Leaders (LPLs), healthcare providers, and patients’ groups within their ecosystem, to further patient outcomes aligned with the overarching objectives of Otsuka. In collaboration with their ecosystem partners, MSLs contribute to the customization of the region business strategy to meet local ecosystem needs and are responsible for the medical and educational requirements of their customers. In addition, MSLs may be responsible for covering multiple products within a therapeutic area, as well as engaging in broad clinical and scientific discussions that impact patient care, resulting in rich customer insights shared within the ecosystem.

Key Activities and Responsibilities

• As part of the ecosystem team, contributes a clinical and scientific perspective to the local execution plan that addresses customer challenges, issues, and opportunities, to bring about improved patient care and outcomes. This extends to include coordination around execution of field activities.
• Build, cultivate, and leverage external relationships with key scientific and medical customers and organizations within their territory to ensure strong understanding of evolving healthcare trends, disease state, Otsuka products, systems, and services across the ecosystem landscape, including KIs, LPLs, Key Decision Makers (KDMs) and Patient Advocacy. Delivers on business objectives that go beyond their territory and impacts the Medical Affairs organization.
• Maintains a deep and comprehensive understanding of the ecosystem to ensure alignment with Otsuka’s patient‑centric strategy and priorities, including provision and delivery of optimal patient care.
• To be a credible source of evidence‑based information that demonstrates the value of Otsuka and its products from the clinical, economic, and humanistic standpoint and works in partnership with providers, and other key stakeholders to apply practical real‑world solutions to improve patient outcomes. Engages stakeholders at the local level that has some influence across the region.
• Build and cultivate important internal working relationships across the matrix team to ensure an enterprise approach when working with customers. Be accountable to regional Field Medical Affairs (FMA) leadership to shape and execute on local medical strategies within planned timelines.
• Leads special projects as requested by management and takes on incremental point roles within FMA.
• Disseminate disease state and healthcare landscape information to customers in the field as defined by priorities.
• Responsible for clinical and data‑focused training of promotional and disease state speakers.
• May serve as part of Otsuka’s speaker bureau in support of product educational needs across the territory.
• Collect and submit medical insights that drive decision making and prioritization of evidence generation efforts and healthcare solutions, including sharing at the local ecosystem level.
• Assist with Otsuka’s clinical trials program, including registrational, post‑marketing and Investigator‑Sponsored Trials (ISTs), health economic outcomes research, other specific medical collaborations; provide clinical expertise and feedback regarding operational management of clinical trials to ensure optimal site selection and performance.
• Participates as mentor in peer functional and therapeutic development including new hires.
• Support other areas of the organization including Safety & Pharmacovigilance for investigation of safety‑related issues, Sales Training medical education on an ongoing basis including new hire and POAs, and the Field Medical Center of Excellence for mentoring and sharing of best practices.

Qualifications

• MD/DO, PharmD or PhD in life sciences required.
• Previous training or experience as an MSL supporting Nephrology programs or in other medical affairs roles in the pharma/biotech industry or the equivalent combination of education and experience. Previous training or experience in immune‑mediated kidney disease is preferred.
• Deep understanding of the interconnectivity of health systems, overall delivery of patient care, and experience working with healthcare professionals and other decision makers.
• Minimum 5+ years’ relevant experience in pharmaceutical industry Medical Affairs.
• Outstanding business acumen; knows the industry, Otsuka’s business model and value proposition, key competitors, and other marketplace factors/dynamics. Able to identify solutions with the overall goal of improved patient outcomes.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills; exhibits professional maturity, confidence, and competence. Strong conflict resolution skills: proven ability to achieve conflict resolution effectively and quickly with affected parties and work in a cross‑functional environment.
• Ability to lead others and project teams strategically.
• Knows how to summarize and communicate complex information and business objectives in a concise and effective way during presentations and other interactions.
• Strong understanding of industry legal, regulatory, and compliance landscape.
• Ability to work in an ambiguous environment undergoing transformation.
• Demonstrates behaviors aligned with the Otsuka Corporate Brand including Perseverance, Unconventional Thinking, and Humility.
• Business travel, by air or car, up to 70% of time depending upon size of territory.
• Preferred living location is San Francisco. Must live in territory.

Competencies

• Accountability for Results – Stay focused on key strategic objectives, be accountable for high standards of performance, and take an active role in leading change.
• Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving – Make decisions considering the long‑term impact to customers, patients, employees, and the business.
• Patient & Customer Centricity – Maintain an ongoing focus on the needs of our customers and/or key stakeholders.
• Impactful Communication – Communicate with logic, clarity, and respect. Influence at all levels to achieve the best results for Otsuka.
• Respectful Collaboration – Seek and value others’ perspectives and strive for diverse partnerships to enhance work toward common goals.
• Empowered Development – Play an active role in professional development as a business imperative.

Minimum and Maximum Salary

Minimum $169,222.00 - Maximum $253,000.00, plus incentive opportunity: The range shown represents a typical pay range or starting pay for individuals who are hired in the role to perform in the United States. Other elements may be used to determine actual pay such as the candidate’s job experience, specific skills, and comparison to internal incumbents currently in role. Typically, actual pay will be positioned within the established range, rather than at its minimum or maximum. This information is provided to applicants in accordance with states and local laws.

Application Deadline

This will be posted for a minimum of 5 business days.

Company benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, company provided basic life, accidental death & dismemberment, short‑term and long‑term disability insurance, tuition reimbursement, student loan assistance, a generous 401(k) match, flexible time off, paid holidays, and paid leave programs as well as other company provided benefits.

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the people assigned to this position. It is not intended to include every job duty and responsibility specific to the position. Otsuka reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

Equal Opportunity Employment

Otsuka is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will be given consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, national origin, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Disability Accommodation

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation, if you are unable or limited in your ability to apply to this job opening as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Accommodation Request (View email address on click.appcast.io‑us.com).

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