National Director Thought Leader Liaison (Retina)

Position Summary:

We are seeking a seasoned and strategic National Director of Thought Leader Liaison (TL L) to spearhead our national engagement efforts with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) in the retina specialty, with a strong focus on surgical innovations and offerings. This individual will serve as a senior ambassador between our organization and the retina thought leader community, shaping scientific dialogue, informing product strategy, and enhancing educational initiatives to drive clinical adoption and market impact.

The ideal candidate will bring 15 years of experience in the retina space, with deep roots in the surgical retina landscape, a strong network of KOLs, and a proven track record of building strategic thought leader programs at scale.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic KOL Engagement: Develop and execute a comprehensive national KOL engagement plan focused on the retina surgery space, fostering strong, enduring partnerships with leading retinal specialists and surgeons.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with Medical Affairs, R&D, Marketing, Clinical, and Commercial teams to align KOL insights with corporate strategies, product launches, and scientific communications.
• Advisory & Education Programs: Design and lead advisory boards, roundtables, symposia, and peer-to-peer education initiatives that elevate company presence in the retina surgical community.
• Scientific Exchange: Serve as the primary point of contact for national-level KOLs, facilitating credible, compliant, and science-based dialogue around existing and pipeline retina products and surgical innovations.
• Market Intelligence: Capture and synthesize market feedback and thought leader insights to inform product development, clinical trial design, and go-to-market strategies.
• Team Leadership: Mentor and guide regional TLLs (if applicable), fostering excellence in KOL engagement and professional development.
• Conference Leadership: Represent the company at major national and international retina congresses, societies, and surgical education events.

Qualifications:

• Experience: Minimum 15 years in the retina field, with a strong emphasis on surgical retina products and solutions (devices, implants, biologics, or drug delivery platforms).
• KOL Network: Deep, credible relationships with top-tier retina surgeons and thought leaders across the U.S.
• Background: Experience working in Medical Affairs, Commercial Strategy, or Clinical Development within ophthalmology-focused organizations; ideally within a surgical retina division.
• Leadership: Proven ability to lead national initiatives and collaborate effectively across matrixed teams.
• Education: Advanced degree preferred (MD, PhD, OD, PharmD, or equivalent), though strong industry experience with a clinical or technical background will also be considered.
• Travel: Willingness to travel extensively (up to 50–70%) to meet with KOLs and attend key conferences.