Field Director, Rheumatology

Johnson & Johnson

. Lead a regional Rheumatology Medical Science Liaison (MSL) team .

Posted 9/25/2026full-timeRemote • United StatesLead💰 $164,000 - $282,900 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead a regional Rheumatology Medical Science Liaison (MSL) team
Provide scientific, clinical, research, and educational support to healthcare professionals and internal partners
Partner with the MSL Head to set regional strategy, priorities, objectives, and execution plans
Conduct strategy reviews with MSL direct reports using data, insights, AI tools, and performance trends
Coach, support, and develop direct reports through feedback, field observation, skills frameworks, and career planning
Execute field Medical Affairs programs, product launches, proactive initiatives, and healthcare-professional engagement
Ensure team members demonstrate scientific expertise, presentation skills, professional credibility, stakeholder influence, adaptive communication, and scientific storytelling
Collect and analyze actionable Medical Insights and communicate them to inform strategy, evidence generation, and lifecycle planning
Lead change through professionalism, accountability, resilience, integrity, and engagement
Coordinate with Medical Affairs, Scientific Affairs, and cross-functional partners
Ensure compliance with regulatory and healthcare guidelines and reinforce ethical decision-making
Manage team performance through field visits, 1:1s, coaching, feedback, training, development, and performance metrics
Maintain strategic, current, and actionable MSL territory plans
Recruit, retain, and develop a diverse, high-performing team
Provide career and succession planning and identify high-potential talent
Complete administrative duties including expense approvals, team metric reports, compliance documentation, and operational reporting
Communicate team achievements, insights, and impact to internal partners and leadership
Lead scientific projects, programs, cross-functional initiatives, and field scientific strategies
Translate field intelligence into strategic recommendations for internal stakeholders

Requirements

What you’ll need

A minimum of a master’s degree is required
PharmD, PhD, or MD highly preferred
Minimum of 8 years required
Minimum of 4 years of pharmaceutical industry experience required
Minimum of 2 years of MSL or equivalent experience required
Clinical/research experience preferred
TA-related experience preferred
Previous people management responsibility preferred
Proficiency in data gathering and analysis, clinical expertise, problem solving, interpersonal influence, cross-functional collaboration, strategic thinking, and competitive landscape analysis
Must live in the assigned region and in close proximity to an airport
Ability to travel regionally approximately 60%, including overnight travel, national scientific congresses, and strategic/scientific meetings
Valid US driver’s license
Demonstrated commitment to learning and applying emerging technologies such as AI
Experience building team AI literacy and confidence, reinforcing trusted and responsible AI use and sound judgment

Benefits

Comp & perks

Consolidated retirement plan (pension)
Savings plan (401(k))
Long-term incentive program
Vacation – 120 hours per calendar year
Sick time – 40 hours per calendar year; 48 hours for employees residing in Colorado; 56 hours for employees residing in Washington
Holiday pay, including Floating Holidays – 13 days per calendar year
Work, Personal and Family Time – up to 40 hours per calendar year
Parental Leave – 480 hours within one year of birth/adoption/foster care of a child
Bereavement Leave – 240 hours for an immediate family member; 40 hours for an extended family member per calendar year
Caregiver Leave – 80 hours in a 52-week rolling period
Volunteer Leave – 32 hours per calendar year
Military Spouse Time-Off – 80 hours per calendar year
Inclusive interview process and disability accommodations