What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director, Field Medical Affairs, West Coast position at Zealand Pharma?
Does it excite you to lead a national team of Medical Science Liaisons at the forefront of obesity and metabolic disease, and do you bring seasoned Medical Affairs leadership experience to the table? If this sounds like you, and you are ready to take on a broad area of responsibilities, then you could be our new colleague.
Your new position
As Director, Field Medical Affairs – Obesity, you will lead and grow our national obesity-focused MSL team, shaping how we translate scientific strategy into field impact. You'll be a senior voice across US Medical Affairs, Clinical Development, and Commercial, driving KOL engagement and launch readiness for our obesity and metabolic pipeline. This is a role for an experienced people leader ready to build and elevate a high-performing field team.
We Offer Exciting Responsibilities
Lead, scale, and evolve the national obesity-focused MSL team, setting, goals, and KPIs and strategic territory plans
Serve as the senior field medical partner to cross-functional leadership across Medical, Clinical, and Commercial
Contribute to US thought leader engagement strategy and represent MSL leadership in high-level KOL interactions
Coach, develop, and performance-manage MSLs, building bench strength and scientific excellence across the team
Lead field medical launch planning for new obesity assets,
Ensure field operations meet regulatory, compliance, and budget standards, with full accountability for resource allocation
Advocate for the needs of your field team, ensuring they are prepared to execute the medical strategy
Your profile
You are a senior Medical Affairs leader who thrives on developing people and driving field strategy at scale. You bring credibility with KOLs, comfort operating at a senior cross-functional table, and a track record of building strong MSL teams through complex launches and have built MSL launch plans.
Advanced degree (MD, PhD, PharmD) required
7 years given increased seniority]
3- 5 yrs minimum managing/leading MSL teams
Proven launch experience
Demonstrated success building, scaling, and developing high-performing field teams
Deep understanding of the US regulatory and compliance landscape governing field medical activities
Willingness to travel up to 40% domestically (field rides, national and regional meetings)
Excellent people-skills, relatable, and fun to work with. Values inquiry, transparency, and open communication.
Your new team
The Field Director, West Coast, reports directly to Gabe Smolarz, VP of US Medical Affairs, and is one of two regional Field Director positions (East and West) leading the field-based Medical Affairs presence for Zealand Pharma's obesity/metabolic health franchise. This role sits within a growing US Medical Affairs organization built to support the petrelintide launch, alongside Medical Information, Scientific Communications, and Medical Operations functions, and will oversee a portion of a combined East/West MSL team, split geographically by territory. The Field Director partners closely with US Medical Affairs leadership, Global Medical Affairs, and cross-functional launch teams to ensure consistent scientific engagement and field medical strategy execution across their region.
Let's bond and be bold
We have a unique biotech culture, characterized by excellent teamwork and strong engagement across the organization. And we want you to help us strengthen this culture.
Making bonds is at the core of everything we do. From discovering and developing the best new peptide drugs for patients, to engaging with our partners or connecting with each other. We bond through curiosity and playfulness as a team, allowing ourselves to challenge common thinking and drive future innovation. Join us and let's bond and be bold.
Interested in bonding with us? Applications will be reviewed as they come in. While a cover letter is not required, please include a few sentences in your CV explaining your motivation for applying.
We are committed to an inclusive recruitment process and welcome applications from all job applicants.
About Zealand Pharma A/S
Zealand Pharma A/S (Nasdaq: ZEAL) is a biotechnology company focused on advancing medicines for obesity and metabolic health. Combining more than 25 years of peptide R&D expertise with a proprietary data platform that leverages advanced data-driven and AI/ML approaches, Zealand Pharma aims to lead a new era in obesity and metabolic health. To date, more than ten Zealand Pharma-invented drug candidates have entered clinical development, of which two products have reached the market and three candidates are in late-stage development. The Company has collaborations with global pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners for research, development, and commercialization. Founded in 1998, Zealand Pharma is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, with a U.S. presence in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Learn more at www.zealandpharma.com.
Your new position
As Director, Field Medical Affairs – Obesity, you will lead and grow our national obesity-focused MSL team, shaping how we translate scientific strategy into field impact. You'll be a senior voice across US Medical Affairs, Clinical Development, and Commercial, driving KOL engagement and launch readiness for our obesity and metabolic pipeline. This is a role for an experienced people leader ready to build and elevate a high-performing field team.
We Offer Exciting Responsibilities
Lead, scale, and evolve the national obesity-focused MSL team, setting, goals, and KPIs and strategic territory plans
Serve as the senior field medical partner to cross-functional leadership across Medical, Clinical, and Commercial
Contribute to US thought leader engagement strategy and represent MSL leadership in high-level KOL interactions
Coach, develop, and performance-manage MSLs, building bench strength and scientific excellence across the team
Lead field medical launch planning for new obesity assets,
Ensure field operations meet regulatory, compliance, and budget standards, with full accountability for resource allocation
Advocate for the needs of your field team, ensuring they are prepared to execute the medical strategy
Your profile
You are a senior Medical Affairs leader who thrives on developing people and driving field strategy at scale. You bring credibility with KOLs, comfort operating at a senior cross-functional table, and a track record of building strong MSL teams through complex launches and have built MSL launch plans.
Advanced degree (MD, PhD, PharmD) required
7 years given increased seniority]
3- 5 yrs minimum managing/leading MSL teams
Proven launch experience
Demonstrated success building, scaling, and developing high-performing field teams
Deep understanding of the US regulatory and compliance landscape governing field medical activities
Willingness to travel up to 40% domestically (field rides, national and regional meetings)
Excellent people-skills, relatable, and fun to work with. Values inquiry, transparency, and open communication.
Your new team
The Field Director, West Coast, reports directly to Gabe Smolarz, VP of US Medical Affairs, and is one of two regional Field Director positions (East and West) leading the field-based Medical Affairs presence for Zealand Pharma's obesity/metabolic health franchise. This role sits within a growing US Medical Affairs organization built to support the petrelintide launch, alongside Medical Information, Scientific Communications, and Medical Operations functions, and will oversee a portion of a combined East/West MSL team, split geographically by territory. The Field Director partners closely with US Medical Affairs leadership, Global Medical Affairs, and cross-functional launch teams to ensure consistent scientific engagement and field medical strategy execution across their region.
Let's bond and be bold
We have a unique biotech culture, characterized by excellent teamwork and strong engagement across the organization. And we want you to help us strengthen this culture.
Making bonds is at the core of everything we do. From discovering and developing the best new peptide drugs for patients, to engaging with our partners or connecting with each other. We bond through curiosity and playfulness as a team, allowing ourselves to challenge common thinking and drive future innovation. Join us and let's bond and be bold.
Interested in bonding with us? Applications will be reviewed as they come in. While a cover letter is not required, please include a few sentences in your CV explaining your motivation for applying.
We are committed to an inclusive recruitment process and welcome applications from all job applicants.
About Zealand Pharma A/S
Zealand Pharma A/S (Nasdaq: ZEAL) is a biotechnology company focused on advancing medicines for obesity and metabolic health. Combining more than 25 years of peptide R&D expertise with a proprietary data platform that leverages advanced data-driven and AI/ML approaches, Zealand Pharma aims to lead a new era in obesity and metabolic health. To date, more than ten Zealand Pharma-invented drug candidates have entered clinical development, of which two products have reached the market and three candidates are in late-stage development. The Company has collaborations with global pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners for research, development, and commercialization. Founded in 1998, Zealand Pharma is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, with a U.S. presence in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Learn more at www.zealandpharma.com.