Associate Director / Director, Medical Science Liaison, Respiratory (West Territory)

Overview

Field-Based | Full-TimeTherapeutic Area: RespiratoryTerritory: West covering AZ, CA, NV, UT, OR, ID, WA, AK, HIPreferred home cities: Los Angeles, San Francisco

A global biopharmaceutical organization is seeking an experienced Medical Science Liaison (MSL) at either the Associate Director or Director level to support its US Respiratory portfolio. This role is a senior individual contributor position focused on scientific engagement, KOL relationship development, strategic insight generation, and medical education.

This is a field-based position requiring significant travel within the assigned geography.

About the Role

The Associate Director/Director, Medical Science Liaison – Respiratory serves as a scientific expert in the field and an extension of the Medical Affairs organization. The individual engages with healthcare professionals (HCPs), key opinion leaders (KOLs), academic institutions, and other external stakeholders in a non-promotional, scientifically rigorous manner.

Responsibilities span scientific exchange, insight gathering, strategic planning, internal collaboration, and support of medical education initiatives.

Responsibilities

Scientific Exchange & Medical Education

• Deliver objective, evidence-based scientific information in a non-promotional manner.
• Use only approved medical materials during external engagements.
• Respond to unsolicited medical requests (UMRs) with accurate, balanced information.

KOL & Stakeholder Relationship Management

• Develop, maintain, and execute individualized engagement plans for target KOLs and HCPs.
• Identify unmet medical education needs and assess competitive medical activity.
• Build strong, collaborative, and compliant relationships across the respiratory therapeutic landscape.

Insight Generation & Internal Collaboration

• Capture, synthesize, and communicate field insights to inform Medical Affairs strategy and asset planning.
• Collaborate with internal medical leadership to develop new and innovative medical education resources (e.g., slide decks, digital content).
• Deliver advisory board, congress, and customer insight reports.

Operational Excellence

• Maintain accurate documentation of HCP interactions in CRM platforms (e.g., VEEVA).
• Provide monthly activity summaries to internal leadership.
• Submit expenses, travel documentation, and administrative updates in a timely manner.
• Ensure full compliance with SOPs, medical governance, and applicable federal and state regulations.

Congress, Events & Internal Contributions

• Staff Medical Affairs booths at scientific meetings and conventions.
• Participate in congresses, symposia, and other scientific engagements as needed.
• Provide internal therapeutic area training when appropriate and requested.
• Contribute to cross-functional initiatives, driving innovation and operational effectiveness.

Other Responsibilities

• Continuously enhance scientific expertise and leadership capabilities.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree (MD, PhD, or PharmD).
• Minimum 5 years (Associate Director) or 8 years (Director) of experience in MSL roles with a respiratory focus.
• Strong understanding of the Medical Science Liaison function, clinical trial design, evidence generation, and US Medical Affairs principles.
• Deep knowledge of relevant regulatory and compliance frameworks (PhRMA Code, FDA/OPDP guidance, HCP interaction standards, SOPs).
• Proven ability to communicate complex scientific data clearly and credibly.
• Demonstrated success building relationships with KOLs, investigators, PAGs, and academic partners.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and strategic planning skills.
• Ability to work semi-autonomously and thrive in a dynamic environment.
• High professional accountability, adaptability, and commitment to continuous development.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively (70–80%, including overnights or weekends as needed).