Field Medical Lead, Gastroenterology (Ontario or Quebec)

Takeda Pharmaceuticals; Canada; Remote; CAD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A global biopharmaceutical company is seeking a Field Medical Lead to manage and coach a team of Medical Science Liaisons. This remote role, based in Canada, requires strong leadership abilities, strategic thinking, and communication skills. Candidates should have 5+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, with bilingual proficiency in English and French as a strong asset. The position involves building relationships with key opinion leaders and ensuring effective engagement aligned with medical objectives.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry.
• Experience leading teams required.
• Bilingual (English/French) – a strong asset.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coach the MSL team to drive performance.
• Develop annual KOL/HCP engagement and communication plans.
• Engage with KOLs/HCPs and document interactions.

Skills

Leadership skills

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Operational excellence

Ability to analyze scientific data

Education

Advanced degree (MD, PharmD, PhD)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Digital collaboration tools

Job description

By clicking the “Apply” button, I understand that my employment application process with Takeda will commence and that the information I provide in my application will be processed in line with Takeda’s Privacy Notice and Terms of Use. I further attest that all information I submit in my employment application is true to the best of my knowledge.

Job Description

Purpose: The Field Medical Lead is responsible for leading, managing, and coaching a team of Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) to drive external scientific exchange and educational engagement with key opinion leaders (KOLs), healthcare providers (HCPs), and healthcare entities in alignment with Medical’s strategic priorities. The Field Medical Lead will provide leadership, guidance, and oversight to a team, ensuring effective engagement and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. This role requires a strategic thinker who can inspire others, focus on key priorities, and elevate organizational capabilities in line with Takeda's Leadership Behaviors.

Key Job Accountabilities

• Lead, manage, mentor, and coach the MSL team to drive performance, foster a collaborative and high-performing culture, and ensure scientific and operational excellence through effective hiring, training, and development planning.
• Set clear expectations and hold MSLs accountable for performance, including goal achievement, territory planning, insights reporting, training completion, and congress participation.
• Conduct observations of MSL external scientific engagement (in-person and virtual) and perform documentation monitoring.
• In alignment with the Medical Director/Lead, develop and implement annual field medical KOL/HCP engagement plans, scientific communication plans and congress plans as part of the overall Medical plans.
• Support the development of insight reports from MSLs to provide feedback into Brand and Medical strategies.
• Build and maintain relationships with cross-functional partners as appropriate to support the development and execution of the medical tactical plan.
• Develop and maintain scientific expertise in the therapeutic area, including Takeda’s marketed products and investigational compounds, and provide scientific training and guidance to the MSL team, ensuring accurate and up-to-date scientific information is communicated.
• Provide guidance and training to the MSL team on compliance and ethical considerations and ensure team adherence to all relevant policies, SOPs, regulations, guidance, and ethical standards.
• Engage in scientific discussions with KOLs/HCPs and internal stakeholders as needed and document according to SOPs and guidance.
• Oversee team annual budget cycle and ensure team expenditures are kept within budget and aligned to policies and SOPs.

Competencies

Occupational Knowledge and Skills

• Deep understanding of the pharmaceutical industry, product development, lifecycle, and commercialization processes, including key functions such as R&D, Regulatory, and Medical Affairs.
• Thorough understanding of legal, compliance, and regulatory guidelines related to medical affairs in the pharmaceutical industry (e.g., IMC).
• Knowledge of Health Canada policies and other federal and provincial policies impacting the area.
• Medical competence to understand the disease area landscape, contribute to the patient journey, and define product differentiation and value.
• Knowledge of pertinent external treatment guidelines and current standards of practice for relevant disease areas.
• Therapeutic knowledge with a preference for prior experience in the therapeutic area, demonstrated ability to quickly gain in-depth understanding of various disease states.
• Ability to analyze, interpret and communicate scientific data and present complex scientific/medical information to clinical and lay audiences.
• Proven ability to develop and operationalize strategies and tactical plans.
• Strong leadership skills to manage and develop a range of professionals within the therapeutic area.

Additional Competencies:

• Proven expertise in matrix project leadership and operational project management, with the ability to manage multiple complex tasks simultaneously and facilitate cross-functional collaboration effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, solve complex problems, and apply strong business acumen.
• Financial skills to forecast and manage a budget, and to understand the business implications of decisions and external factors.
• Excellent strategic thinking skills and proven strategic problem-solving ability, including driving to appropriate solutions.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including scientific writing, presenting, influencing, and negotiating.
• Influencing without authority, managing senior stakeholders and navigating ambiguity and conflict diplomatically.

Digital Competencies

• Dedication to leading by example through intentional skill development, experimentation and fostering a culture of digital curiosity within the organization.
• Experience working effectively with colleagues in virtual or remote settings, utilizing digital collaboration tools, including MS Teams.
• Proficiency in leveraging digital tools, platforms, AI and other technologies (including Microsoft Office suite) to communicate with impact and perform tasks efficiently.
• Understanding of cybersecurity threats and best practices to protect sensitive information and systems.
• Prior experience in driving digital transformation initiatives, showing a strategic mindset towards technology innovation and integration with daily work practices.

Education, Licenses/Certifications, Experience

• Advanced degree (MD, PharmD, PhD) in a related field, such as Health Sciences, preferred.
• Consideration will be given to candidates with relevant pharmaceutical industry experience and/or clinical work, research, or academic endeavors.
• Minimum of 5+ years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry and/or relevant clinical/scientific experience, or equivalent combination with demonstrated leadership responsibilities within Medical/Scientific Affairs.
• Experience leading teams required.
• Experience in the therapeutic area – preferred.
• Bilingual (English/French) – a strong asset.

Travel Requirements

• This is a field-based position.
• Willingness to travel to various meetings or client sites, including overnight trips. Some international travel may be required.

Our organization is across Canada and in 81 countries.

The job as a Field Medical Lead supports medical and business strategies for compounds through field-based activities that align with overall medical objectives and scientific communication.

This role establishes Takeda’s presence with key opinion leaders (KOLs), healthcare providers (HCPs), academic institutions and healthcare entities in the defined geographies for assigned therapeutic areas.

Interactions with KOLs/HCPs in Eastern Ontario, in English-speaking provinces in Atlantic Canada and in some hospitals in Quebec that operate in French and English including some customers that are anglophones require proficiency in English to present, communicate and discuss highly technical and specialized knowledge of scientific data.

Attendance at medical scientific conferences is part of the job responsibilities of the Field Medical Lead. These conferences are conducted in English. It’s the Field Medical Lead’s responsibility that field customer engagement generated insights and learnings are communicated/reported back to colleagues in the Toronto Head Office in English.

As detailed in the task descriptions, this job involves communicating, both verbally and in writing, with other Takeda teams located across Canada, the United States, and with our global partners. Based on an evaluation, we have determined that the duties of Field Medical Lead position require knowledge of English in addition to French. Takeda Canada encourages applications from all qualified candidates. In accordance with our accommodation policies and applicable provincial accessibility legislation, please advise us if you need accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process. Any information you provide relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

Locations

CAN - Remote (Ontario) and CAN - Remote (Quebec)

Worker Type: Employee

Worker Sub-Type: Regular

Time Type: Full time