National Senior Director – Field Medical Affairs

Orca

. Establish, grow, and lead the national field-based MSL team .

Posted 10/2/2026full-timeRemote • California • United StatesSenior💰 $250,000 - $300,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in leading and managing a field-based Medical Science Liaison team, with a strong focus on compliance, strategic engagement with key opinion leaders, and operational excellence in medical affairs. Possesses advanced scientific qualifications and extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in MSL activities and team performance management.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Advanced Scientific Degree8+ Years Experience in Medical AffairsMSL Team ManagementUnderstanding of US Pharma RegulationsKOL Relationship Management

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Field-Based Clinical Trial SupportOperational Frameworks DevelopmentPerformance ManagementData Collection and AnalysisCompliance TrainingScientific Insight DisseminationProject ManagementField Medical Launch PlanningPatient Recruitment StrategiesSOP Development

Soft Skills

Excellent Communication SkillsInterpersonal SkillsMotivation and InitiativeStrategic ThinkingProblem SolvingPlanning and Organizational Skills

Tools & Technologies

CRM OperationsScientific Conference ParticipationAdvisory Board EngagementTraining ProgramsMedical Resources Collaboration

Industry Keywords

Medical Science LiaisonKOL EngagementFDA RegulationsPhRMA GuidelinesOIG ComplianceCell TherapyGene TherapyBiotech ExperienceField Medical InitiativesEthical Standards

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Establish, grow, and lead the national field-based MSL team
Define operational frameworks, best practices, and standard operating procedures
Recruit, train, mentor, and manage performance for the MSL team
Translate medical strategy into actionable goals and measurable field medical initiatives
Identify and strategically engage key thought leaders and external experts
Oversee field-based clinical trial support, including site education, patient recruitment, and investigator engagement
Represent the organization at scientific conferences and participate in advisory boards and scientific forums
Build MSL infrastructure for compliant scientific insight and data collection, training, SOPs, and CRM operations
Oversee compliant scientific engagements with KOLs, HCPs, and key stakeholders
Guide collection and dissemination of actionable insights for internal medical and clinical development strategies
Align and collaborate across products, disease states, and indications
Support cross-functional business planning, special projects, strategic imperatives, and congress planning and execution
Ensure MSL activities meet ethical standards and comply with applicable laws, regulations, industry codes, policies, SOPs, OIG, FDA, PhRMA guidelines, and the Orca Bio Code of Conduct
Maintain scientific and clinical expertise through continuous education and key meetings and symposia
Collaborate on publications, training, internal initiatives, and medical resources
Direct reports include the field-based Medical Science Liaison team
Exercise supervisory and decision-making authority
Complete mandatory compliance and regulatory training
Report to the Vice President of Medical Affairs

Requirements

What you’ll need

Advanced scientific degree required; doctorate-level clinical/medical degree (MD, PharmD, PhD)
8+ years’ experience within Medical Affairs
Experience working as an MSL
At least 3 years of experience managing field-based MSL teams
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Motivation, initiative, mentoring, strategic thinking, problem solving, planning, and organizational skills
Strong understanding of US pharma rules and regulations, particularly as they apply to MSL activities
Ability to develop, coach, and oversee a highly compliant MSL function
Experience in team management, developing, reporting, and tracking MSL performance
Experience managing departmental projects and resources
Experience managing and developing relationships with KOLs/HCPs
Preferred: Cell and/or gene therapy experience
Preferred: Experience working in a small biotech company or start-up environment
Preferred: Demonstrated success in field medical launch planning and execution
Domestic and international travel required approximately 40–50%

Benefits

Comp & perks

Pre-IPO equity
Annual bonus
Medical, dental, and vision benefits
PTO
401(k) plan
Life and accidental death and disability coverage
Parental leave benefits
Subsidized daily lunches and snacks at on-site locations