Director, Field Medical, Rheumatology - East

Takeda; Florida; Remote; USD 192,000 - 302,000; Full time

Job summary

Takeda is seeking a Director, Field Medical – Rheumatology, East to lead and coach a team of Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) in driving external scientific engagement with KOLs, HCPs, and healthcare entities across the East US. The role reports to the Senior Director, Field Medical and requires deep therapeutic knowledge and strong leadership to align with Takeda US Medical priorities.

The candidate will develop the annual team tactical plan, ensure compliance with SOPs, manage the annual

Qualifications

• Doctoral or Master’s degree in health sciences required/minimum.
• Extensive pharma industry and Medical Affairs experience.
• Proven leadership, teamwork, and project management.
• Extensive previous MSL or similar scientific experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; strong collaboration skills.
• Proficiency with digital tools; openness to AI-enabled processes.
• Knowledge of compliance, ethics, and regulatory guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coach a team of MSLs; align with US Medical priorities.
• Ensure performance through training, execution of medical plan, and documentation.
• Develop annual team tactical plans and obtain internal approvals.
• Oversee MSL engagement with KOLs/HCPs and documentation.
• Maintain proficiency with Takeda systems to support performance coaching.
• Plan MSL participation in professional meetings and congresses.
• Foster a high-performing team culture with continuous development.
• Create team reports on performance and insights for leadership.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional partners to execute the tactical plan.

Skills

MSL leadership

Strategic leadership

Communication skills

Digital tools & AI readiness

Team coaching & mentoring

Travel readiness

Education

Master’s degree in health sciences

Doctoral degree in life/health sciences

Tools

Takeda systems

Job description

Job Description:

About The Role

Join Takeda as a Director, Field Medical – Rheumatology, East where you will lead, manage, and coach a team of Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) to drive external scientific engagement with key opinion leaders (KOLs), healthcare providers (HCPs), and healthcare entities in alignment with Takeda US Medical’s strategic priorities. You will also provide leadership, guidance, and oversight to an MSL team, ensuring effective engagement and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. As part of the US Medical team, you will report to the Senior Director, Field Medical.

How you will contribute

• Lead, manage, mentor, and coach a team of MSLs, maximizing team performance and aligning team activities to US Medical strategic priorities. Ensure scientific and operational excellence of team through hiring, training, and execution of the medical plan.
• Clearly communicate and hold MSLs accountable for meeting performance expectations (e.g., goal achievement, competencies proficiency, territory plan creation and execution, insights reporting, completion of training and administrative duties, congress participation, etc.).
• In alignment with medical strategy, develop and implement annual team tactical plan after gaining required internal approvals.
• Conduct observations of MSL external scientific engagement (in-person and virtual) and perform documentation monitoring.
• Maintain proficiency in using Takeda systems to support coaching for employee performance.
• Develop and execute plan for MSL participation in professional meetings (i.e., congresses).
• Foster a collaborative and high-performing MSL team culture where people feel valued, knowledge is freely shared, and continuous learning and development is a priority.
• Ensure each employee has an individual development plan and support opportunities for employee learning, growth, and development.
• Create MSL team reports (performance and KOL/HCP insights) to internally communicate team progress on execution of team tactical plan and advise US Medical decision‑making, strategies, and tactics.
• Build and maintain relationships with US Medical Unit and cross‑functional partners (e.g., Clinical Development/Operations, Global Medical, Commercial leadership, etc.), as appropriate to support development and execution of team tactical plan.
• Participate in US Medical Unit and appropriate internal cross‑functional meetings.
• 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 MSL team on compliance and ethical considerations and ensure team adherence to all relevant policies, SOPs, regulations, guidance, and ethical standards.
• Oversee team annual budget cycle and ensure team expenditures are kept within budget and aligned to policies and SOPs.
• Engage in scientific discussions with KOLs, HCPs, and internal stakeholders as needed and document according to SOPs and guidance.

Minimum Requirements/Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in life/health sciences is preferred (PharmD, MD, PhD, or equivalent). Master’s degree in health sciences (e.g., MSN, NP, or PA) is the minimum requirement.
• Thorough understanding of and experience working in the pharmaceutical industry and Medical Affairs.
• Proven record of strategic leadership, teamwork, innovation, project management and demonstrated ability to manage, lead and mentor individuals and teams.
• Extensive previous experience as an MSL or a similar scientific role.
• Excellent communication (written and verbal), organization, and collaboration skills.
• Strong foundation in use of digital tools and technologies to drive innovation, enhance productivity, and improve efficiency. Comfort with emerging technologies and digital tools and openness to AI‑enabled processes.
• Demonstrated understanding of compliance, ethical, legal, and regulatory guidelines impacting the pharmaceutical industry.
• Experience managing individuals and teams with an advanced scientific degree in a field‑based group in the pharmaceutical industry.
• Previous experience and in‑depth knowledge of the therapeutic area, including relevant scientific and clinical data.
• Must be 18 years of age or older with valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record
• Able to travel 40-60% of the time, including ability to travel overnight and occasionally on weekends. Must live in the East Region.
• Must have authorization and ability to drive a company leased vehicle or rental

More about us

At Takeda, we are transforming patient care through the development of novel specialty pharmaceuticals and best in class patient support programs. Takeda is a patient‑focused company that will inspire and empower you to grow through life‑changing work.

Certified as a Global Top Employer, Takeda offers stimulating careers, encourages innovation, and strives for excellence in everything we do. We foster an inclusive, collaborative workplace, in which our teams are united by an unwavering commitment to deliver Better Health and a Brighter Future to people around the world.

Takeda Compensation and Benefits Summary:

We understand compensation is an important factor as you consider the next step in your career. We are committed to equitable pay for all employees, and we strive to be more transparent with our pay practices.

For Location:

Florida - Virtual

U.S. Base Salary Range :

$192,400.00 - $302,390.00

The estimated salary range reflects an anticipated range for this position. The actual base salary offered may depend on a variety of factors, including the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.The actual base salary offered will be in accordance with state or local minimum wage requirements for the job location.

EEO Statement:

Takeda is proud in its commitment to creating a diverse workforce and providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, national origin, age, disability, citizenship status, genetic information or characteristics, marital status, status as a Vietnam era veteran, special disabled veteran, or other protected veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws, and any other characteristic protected by law.

Locations:

Florida - Virtual Arizona - Virtual, Illinois - Virtual, Michigan - Virtual, Texas - Virtual

Worker Type:

Employee

Worker Sub-Type:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time

Job Exempt:

Yes