Regional Director, Field Medical Affairs

Apnimed is a rapidly growing pharmaceutical company working to transform the treatment of sleep apnea based on a simple idea – patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) could benefit from treatment with a safe and effective oral medication dosed once daily at bedtime. Our lead development program, AD109, targets the neurologic control of upper airway muscles to maintain an open airway during sleep. Based in Cambridge, Mass., Apnimed is committed to innovation, as well as state-of-the-art advancements in sleep medicine, which is leading to the development of a portfolio of novel pharmacologic therapies for sleep apnea and related disorders. Of note, the Boston Business Journal has also voted Apnimed as one of the Best Places to Work in 2024 and 2025!

The Regional Director, Field Medical Affairs (RD-FMA) will be responsible for building and co-leading the Medical Science Liaison team and executing the field medical strategy in support of the anticipated launch of the first oral therapy for OSA. The RD-FMA will lead a high-performing team engaged in scientific exchange with KOLs, generating actionable insights, and helping shape the medical community's understanding of a novel therapeutic approach in a large, underdiagnosed and undertreated disease.

The RD-FMA will be an exemplar of the “Medical Triple Threat,” demonstrating high levels of scientific excellence, business acumen, and emotional intelligence. As a member of a growing Medical Affairs organization, the RD-FMA will contribute beyond traditional field medical responsibilities and play a significant role in launch planning, cross-functional collaboration, and organizational development.

Key Responsibilities:

Field Medical Team Leadership

• Team Management: Build and lead half of the U.S. Field Medical team, driving high performance and accountability
• Launch Readiness: Lead stakeholder mapping, scientific engagement planning, and evidence gap identification
• Engagement Strategy: Develop and execute regional and individual KOL plans aligned with corporate and Medical Affairs objectives
• Strategic Input: Infuse field perspectives into medical strategy, publications, congresses, advisory boards, and educational initiatives

Insights Generation

• Strategic Intelligence: Capture, analyze, and communicate field insights regarding disease awareness, diagnostic practices, and access barriers
• Trend Analysis: Identify emerging clinical trends to shape future development programs and medical strategy
• External Voice: Serve as the internal advocate for external stakeholder needs and perspectives

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Internal Partnership: Partner across Medical Affairs, Patient Advocacy, Commercial, Market Access, and Compliance
• Scientific Training: Deliver disease-state training and medical education to internal cross-functional teams
• Conferences and Advisory Boards: Drive planning, execution, insight generation for advisory board meetings and scientific coverage for medical conferences

Qualifications:

Education & Experience

• Advanced scientific or clinical degree (MD, DO, PharmD, PhD, DNP, PA-C, NP, or equivalent) required
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in Medical Affairs, with 4 years directly leading Field Medical teams
• Previous experience launching first-in-class drugs for common chronic diseases
• Experience in high growth, pre-commercial biotechnology companies

Preferred

• Experience in sleep medicine, pulmonology, neurology, respiratory disease, cardiometabolic disease, or related therapeutic areas
• Familiarity with OSA diagnosis and management, including current and emerging diagnostic and treatment modalities

Leadership Competencies

• Demonstrated ability to build, lead, and manage a high-performing Field Medical Affairs team
• Exceptional ability to build credibility with external scientific leaders
• Track record of ability to think strategically and execute with agility; able to “get the right things done well and on time” and able to integrate external insights into internal plans
• High emotional intelligence, with keen ability to build high levels of trust and effectively collaborate with matrixed internal teams
• Notably strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
• Proven agility to operationalize strategy, mitigate risks, and manage complex projects on time
• Unimpeached track record of the highest levels of integrity, honesty, and ethics
• Working knowledge of industry, regulatory, ethical, and legal compliance guidelines relevant to engaging with health care providers
• Ability to travel within the U.S., as needed, up to 40%