Field Director, Rheumatology

Johnson & Johnson

. Lead a regional Rheumatology Medical Science Liaison 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 team
Provide scientific, clinical, research, and educational support to healthcare professionals and internal partners
Set and drive regional strategy with the MSL Head
Translate Medical Affairs strategy into regional priorities, measurable 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, including product launches, proactive initiatives, and healthcare professional engagement
Ensure MSLs demonstrate scientific expertise, presentation skills, professional credibility, stakeholder influence, adaptive communication, and scientific storytelling
Stay current on scientific information and disease states
Ensure collection and analysis of high-quality, actionable Medical Insights
Lead change management and maintain professionalism, accountability, integrity, and resilience
Coordinate with Medical Affairs, Scientific Affairs, and cross-functional partners
Provide oversight for regulatory and healthcare compliance and reinforce ethical decision-making
Manage team performance through field visits, one-to-ones, coaching, feedback, training, development, and performance metrics
Ensure MSL territory plans are strategic, current, and actionable
Manage special projects and cross-functional support activities
Recruit, retain, and develop a diverse, high-performing team
Provide career and succession planning
Complete administrative duties, expense report approvals, team metric reports, compliance documentation, and operational reporting
Communicate team achievements, insights, and impact to internal partners and leadership
Participate in business planning and execute permissible field activities
Develop regional and organized-provider strategies with the MSL Head
Lead scientific projects and programs and translate field intelligence into strategic recommendations
Participate in or lead cross-functional and company initiatives
Establish scalable processes that improve alignment, efficiency, compliance, and cross-functional execution

Requirements

What you’ll need

A minimum of a master’s degree is required
Minimum of 8 years required
Minimum of 4 years of pharmaceutical industry experience required
Minimum of 2 years of MSL or equivalent experience required
Must live in the assigned region and in close proximity to an airport
Regional travel of approximately 60%, including overnight travel, periodic national scientific congresses, and key strategic/scientific meetings
A valid US driver’s license
Demonstrated commitment to learning emerging technologies, such as AI
Experience building team AI literacy and confidence, reinforcing trusted and responsible AI use and sound judgment
PharmD, PhD, or MD highly preferred
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

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