Senior Director, Global KOL & Partnership Strategy, AWM

Smith & Nephew plc; Memphis (TN); Hybrid; USD 204,000 - 270,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

401k matching program

Tuition reimbursement

Medical/dental/vision insurance

Job summary

Smith+Naphew is seeking a Senior Director of Global KOL & Partnership Strategy for Advanced Wound Management. You will design and govern a global KOL engagement framework, identify key leaders and medical societies, and ensure alignment with fair-market-value requirements and contracting processes.

This role requires enterprise-wide thinking and cross-functional influence across regions. You will lead the strategic engagement plan, directly manage a select portfolio of high-priority KOL

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in the medical device industry or a closely related healthcare environment.
• Significant experience in professional affairs, professional relations, medical affairs, market development or another function responsible for KOL and medical society strategy.
• Demonstrated experience creating, implementing or materially evolving a global or enterprise-wide KOL engagement framework and governance model.
• Experience defining KOL segmentation, engagement pathways, relationship ownership, decision rights and cross-functional operating processes.

Responsibilities

• Build the global KOL framework with a consistent, prioritized structure and governance.
• Lead cross-functional development of KOL engagement plans and drive accountability.
• Advance partnerships with medical societies and institutions to support research, training and education initiatives.

Skills

KOL engagement

Governance model

Cross-functional leadership

Strategic planning

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA or advanced degree

Job description

Senior Director, Global KOL & Partnership Strategy, Advanced Wound Management (AWM)

Life. Unlimited. At Smith+Naphew we design and manufacture technology that takes the limits off living.

We are seeking a Senior Director, Global KOL & Partnership Strategy to establish how our Advanced Wound Management business identifies, prioritizes, engages and governs relationships with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), medical societies and medical institutions around the world.

This is an opportunity to build something foundational. You will create the global framework, governance model and engagement pathways that bring greater consistency, accountability and strategic direction to KOL engagement across regions and functions.

Success in this role requires more than experience managing individual KOL relationships. We are looking for a leader who has designed or significantly evolved an enterprise-wide KOL engagement framework and can align diverse global stakeholders around a shared approach.

What will you be doing?

Build the global KOL framework

• Lead development of a consistent global framework for defining, segmenting and prioritizing KOLs across specialties, including digital opinion leaders. Partner with the Professional Relations team to align the framework with fair-market-value requirements and established contracting and payment processes.
• Develop and implement a structured approach to identifying KOLs for current and new segments, specialties and geographies.
• Establish and maintain a consistent global view of KOLs to support strategies for scientific engagement, market development, and new product development. Identify gaps and opportunities aligned with documented and approved business needs.

Lead KOL engagement strategy and translate into coordinated action

• Lead cross-functional development of KOL engagement plans aligned with global and regional priorities. Identify and connect KOLs with appropriate and compliant initiatives, establish clear governance and ownership, and drive execution and accountability.
• Directly manage a select portfolio of high-priority global KOL relationships.

Advance Medical Society and Institutional Partnerships

• Develop a structured, cross-functional approach to prioritizing relevant medical societies and professional organizations across the global AWM portfolio.
• Develop long-term partnership strategies for priority medical societies and institutions based on shared to advance research, training and education initiatives.

What will you need to be successful?

• Bachelor's degree required; an MBA, advanced degree or clinical credentials are preferred.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in the medical device industry or a closely related healthcare environment.
• Significant experience in professional affairs, professional relations, medical affairs, market development or another function responsible for KOL and medical society strategy.
• Demonstrated experience creating, implementing or materially evolving a global or enterprise-wide KOL engagement framework and governance model.
• Experience defining KOL segmentation, engagement pathways, relationship ownership, decision rights and cross-functional operating processes.
• Strong understanding of healthcare compliance requirements, fair-market-value considerations and appropriate engagement with healthcare professionals.
• Experience working across global markets and an understanding of how KOL engagement models may need to adapt across countries and regions.
• Proven success leading complex, cross-functional initiatives from strategy through implementation.
• Exceptional influencing skills and the ability to establish accountability without relying on direct authority.
• The ability to build trust quickly with senior internal stakeholders, healthcare professionals and external organizations.
• Strong strategic and analytical capabilities, with the ability to turn insights into clear priorities and actionable plans.
• Advanced Wound Management or wound care experience is preferred but not required.

Why join us?

This highly visible individual-contributor role will shape how Smith+Naphew approaches KOL and external partnership strategy across the global Advanced Wound Management business. You will work across Professional Affairs, Healthcare Compliance, Global and Country Marketing, Clinical Affairs, Medical Education and other teams to connect existing capabilities through a more coordinated and strategic model.

The position is initially an individual-contributor role, but its influence will extend across a broad global stakeholder network. Up to 40% travel is expected, including field engagement, medical society meetings, internal business meetings and international travel, primarily to Europe.

You. Unlimited.
We believe in creating the greatest good for society. Our strongest investments are in our people and the patients we serve.

Inclusion and Belonging: Committed to Welcoming, Celebrating and Thriving on Inclusion and Belonging, Learn more about Employee Inclusion Groups on our website.

Your Future: 401k Matching Program, 401k Plus Program, Discounted Stock Purchase Plan, Tuition Reimbursement

Work/Life Balance: Flexible Personal/Vacation Time Off, Paid Holidays, Flex Holidays, Paid Community Service Day

Your Wellbeing: Medical, Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account (Employer Contribution of $500+ annually), Employee Assistance Program, Parental Leave, Fertility and Adoption Assistance Program

Flexibility: Hybrid Work Model (For most professional roles)

Training: Hands On, Team Customized, Mentorship

Extra Perks: Discounts on fitness clubs, travel and more!

The anticipated base compensation range for this position is $204,000 - $270,000 annually. The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate will be based on multiple factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge/skills, experience, geographical location, and internal equity. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at the high end of the range for their role at Smith + Nephew. Compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate. In addition to base pay, we provide competitive bonus and benefits, which include medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401k, tuition reimbursement, medical leave programs, parental leave, and generous PTO, paid company holidays annually and 8 hours of Volunteer time and a variety of wellness offerings such as EAP.

We anticipate the application window for this opening to close on 12/1/2026.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future employment visa sponsorship.

Smith+Naphew provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.

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