Medical Director

Verastem, Inc. (Verastem Oncology); Boston (MA); On-site; USD 250,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Verastem Oncology in Boston seeks a Medical Director to define and execute the Medical Affairs strategy, leading a global team across Medical Science Liaisons, Medical Communications, Publications, and Medical Education.

The role requires 15+ years in Medical Affairs/Clinical Development in biopharma, with a proven track record of U.S. and global oncology launches, deep expertise in oncology drug development, and a commitment to scientific excellence with cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• MD or equivalent medical degree required; oncology subspecialty strongly preferred.
• 15+ years of leadership experience in Medical Affairs/Clinical Development in biopharma.
• Proven track record leading oncology product launches in the U.S.; global launches preferred.
• Deep expertise in oncology drug development, lifecycle management, and evidence generation.
• Exceptional strategic leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead the global Medical Affairs vision and strategy to support successful commercialization of approved products and advance the development pipeline.
• Provide executive leadership for the Medical Affairs organization, including MSLs, Medical Communications, Publications, Medical Education, and Medical Information.
• Serve as the senior medical leader and strategic advisor to executive leadership and cross-functional partners across Commercial, Market Access, Regulatory Affairs, R&D, Manufacturing, Legal, and Corporate Strategy.
• Build, strengthen, and oversee strategic relationships with KOLs, clinical investigators, scientific advisors, patient advocacy organizations, and professional societies.
• Lead the development and execution of the external scientific engagement strategy, including medical advisory boards, investigator meetings, medical congresses, and executive-level presentations.
• Partner with Commercial leadership to ensure development of scientifically accurate, compliant, and impactful medical education and field training materials.
• Oversee IST strategy and governance to support lifecycle management, evidence generation, and future indication development.
• Drive generation and dissemination of high-quality scientific evidence through publications, congress activities, and real-world evidence initiatives.
• Ensure Medical Affairs activities comply with regulatory requirements and corporate policies.
• Recruit, develop, and mentor a high-performing Medical Affairs leadership team and foster a culture of scientific excellence and accountability.
• Represent Medical Affairs as a key member of the executive leadership team, contributing to portfolio planning and long-term growth.

Skills

MD/medical degree

Global oncology launches

Medical Affairs leadership

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Oncology drug development expertise

Education

MD or equivalent medical degree

Job description

Company Summary:

At Verastem Oncology, we address urgent needs of patients living with cancers driven by RAS/MAPK pathway mutations, a key driver of tumor growth and tr eatment resistance. FDA approval of AVMAPKI FAKZYNJA CO-PACK delivered the first therapy for women living with recurrent KRAS-mutated low-grade serous ovarian cancer, a rare cancer with significant unmet need. We've launched this novel/novel combination therapy in the U.S. and are exploring pathways for Europe and Japan. We continue to advance our pipeline of drugs to help block cancer cell survival, inhibit tumor growth, and overcome treatment resistance. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of cancer care and make a meaningful impact in the lives of patients.

Summary:

The Medical Director is responsible for defining and executing the Medical Affairs strategy and leading the Medical Affairs organization at Verastem Oncology. This leader will provide strategic leadership across Medical Affairs, including Strategy and Operations, Field Medical Affairs, Medical Communications, Evidence Generation and HEOR, and Patient Advocacy, while partnering closely with executive leadership and cross-functional stakeholders. The Medical Director will lead the medical strategy and work closely with Medical Affairs colleagues on Medical Information, Medical Training, Scientific Communications, and other functions in the development and execution of Medical Affairs plans. In a growth-oriented environment, this role requires a balance of strategic leadership, operational execution, and oversight of direct reports, consultants, and external partners. The ideal candidate will have broad leadership experience across Medical Affairs, a proven track record of successful oncology product launches in the U.S. and Europe, and deep expertise in oncology drug development. This individual will lead the strategy, development, and execution of medical programs supporting Phase III and Phase IV clinical trials, investigator-sponsored and company-sponsored research, scientific publications, medical education, and product lifecycle initiatives across the current and future portfolio. This position requires travel to the Boston headquarters and to the field approximately 20-35% of the time.

Key Responsibilities:

• Establish and lead the global Medical Affairs vision and strategy to support successful commercialization of approved products and advance the development pipeline.
• Provide executive leadership for the Medical Affairs organization, including Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs), Medical Communications, Publications, Medical Education, and Medical Information, ensuring organizational excellence and strategic alignment.
• Serve as the senior medical leader and strategic advisor to executive leadership and cross-functional partners, providing clinical and scientific guidance across Commercial, Market Access, Regulatory Affairs, Research & Development, Manufacturing, Legal, and Corporate Strategy.
• Build, strengthen, and oversee strategic relationships with key opinion leaders (KOLs), clinical investigators, scientific advisors, patient advocacy organizations, and professional societies to shape scientific strategy and advance the company's medical objectives.
• Lead the development and execution of the company's external scientific engagement strategy, including the development and execution of medical advisory boards, investigator meetings, medical congresses, scientific exchange, and executive-level presentations to internal and external stakeholders.
• Partner with Commercial leadership to ensure the development of scientifically accurate, compliant, and impactful medical education, field training, and promotional support materials that enhance product understanding and appropriate use.
• Oversee the Investigator-Sponsored Trial (IST) strategy and governance process to support lifecycle management, evidence generation, and future indication development.
• Drive the generation and dissemination of high-quality scientific evidence through publications, congress activities, real-world evidence initiatives, and collaborative research programs.
• Ensure Medical Affairs activities are conducted in compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements, industry standards, and corporate policies.
• Recruit, develop, and mentor a high-performing Medical Affairs leadership team while fostering a culture of scientific excellence, innovation, collaboration, and accountability.
• Represent Medical Affairs as a key member of the executive leadership team, contributing to corporate strategy, portfolio planning, business development evaluations, and long-term organizational growth.

Required Qualifications:

• MD (or equivalent medical degree) required; fellowship or subspecialty training in Oncology strongly preferred.
• 15+ years of leadership experience across Medical Affairs and/or Clinical Development within the biopharmaceutical industry, including significant executive leadership responsibilities.
• Significant Medical Affairs experience, including demonstrated success leading Medical Affairs strategy and execution for multiple oncology product launches in the U.S.; global launch experience is preferred, and proven ability to build and lead high-performing global Medical Affairs organizations and influence cross-functional executive decision-making.
• Deep expertise in oncology drug development, lifecycle management, evidence generation, and external scientific engagement.
• Experience supporting oral oncology therapies is preferred.
• Exceptional strategic leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to represent the organization externally among scientific, clinical, regulatory, and industry leaders.

The base salary range ($250,000 - $320,000) provided reflects our current estimate of what we anticipate paying for this position. Your actual base salary will be based on several factors, including job-related skills, experience, internal equity, relevant education or training, location, and market dynamics. In addition, you will be eligible for an annual bonus, equity compensation, and a competitive benefits package.