Thought Leader Liaison (Central US)

Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals; United States; On-site; USD 145,000 - 232,000; Full time

Job summary

Keenova is seeking a Thought Leader Liaison for the Central US region, based in or near Kansas City, to develop and manage KOL relationships and coordinate national congress activities. This field-based role requires independent work, frequent travel across the US, and collaboration with marketing, medical affairs, and sales teams to advance promotional strategies.

The role supports the Immunology business unit with strategic KOL engagement, speaker programs, and advisory boards.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in pharmaceutical/biotech or related customer-facing roles.

Responsibilities

• Identify, cultivate and manage regional KOL relationships.
• Coordinate with Immunology business unit and marketing for advisory boards and speaker programs.
• Lead regional congress planning and KOL engagements at conferences.
• Partner with sales and medical teams to align external engagement strategies.
• Manage speaker bureaus and contract requirements for events.
• Travel frequently (50–65%) to meet KOLs and attend conferences.

Skills

KOL engagement

Relationship building

Strategic communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Executive presence

Education

Bachelor’s degree

MBA or advanced degree preferred

Job description

Thought Leader Liaison (Central US) – Location: Kansas City, KS; Additional Locations: Kansas City, MO

The Thought Leader Liaison (TLL) is responsible for developing, managing, and engaging with Key Opinion Leaders throughout their assigned geography reporting to the Thought Leader Liaison Lead, reporting through Specialty Brands Marketing. He/she works closely with commercial colleagues and other staff to help build advocacy of Keenova’s products with KOLs. The Thought Leader Liaison also manages speakers, and captures KOL beliefs/insights, among other duties and responsibilities. This field-based position requires an individual to work independently and effectively with limited direction. The position will be aligned to support the Immunology Business Unit and requires frequent travel within the US and periodic travel to the corporate office.

Essential Functions

Strategic KOL Development and Management

• Identify, cultivate, and maintain professional relationships with established and up-and-coming regional Key Opinion Leaders in targeted specialties.
• Support deep engagement of KOLs (ex. Navigating IDNs / Centers of Excellence, Professional Organizations)
• Identify, map, and manage relationships with key national associations and other large treatment facilities (includes the detailed mapping of referral patterns, key relationships, and influencers)
• Coordinate and lead one-to-one exchanges between Keenova team and KOLs across key initiatives and events.

Congress / Key Event Management

• Attend and manage brand activity at key regional and targeted national conferences (may encompass Rheumatology, Nephrology, Pulmonology, Ophthalmology).
• Manage overall regional sponsorships including working with organizations to secure sponsorships, and owning regional congress plan.
• Coordinate executive meetings with KOLs at national conferences.
• Support all necessary conference and speaker contract requirements in a timely manner.
• Coordinate with marketing to ensure all congress materials are delivered on time.

Cross Functional Coordination

• Work cross functionally to drive and develop aligned external engagement strategies across multiple cross functional teams including medical, training, marketing, and sales.
• Coordinate closely with the sales team to ensure alignment with conference KOL engagement plan as well as other KOL/account engagement.
• Provide market insights back to the marketing team and provide input into P2P development, advisory boards, and strategy.
• Be a resource for the Marketing team to develop board strategy, content, advisory recommendations, and attend advisory boards as appropriate.
• Coordinate with Market Development Manager and Speaker Programs Management on KOL Speaker bureau relationships including supporting speaker training.
• Provide insights summary from key congresses to the marketing team.

Additional Information

• Business travel is regularly required (50% - 65%)
• Willingness to work evenings and select weekends is required.
• Located near a hub airport is recommended.

Preferred Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in pharmaceutical, biotech or related industry in customer facing roles.
• 5+ years of experience in thought leader engagement; medical affairs, marketing, sales/sales leadership or clinical experience.
• 3+ years working within Ophthalmology.
• Experience developing and executing HCP key strategies.
• Proven ability to develop and execute KOL mapping and plans, as well as building KOL advocacy in the targeted therapeutic areas.
• Clinical, technical, and scientific knowledge and proficiency in complex disease states
• Existing relationships with KOLs (opinion leaders, centers of excellence etc.)
• Strong relationship building skills, with proven ability to build and maintain lasting relationships with KOLs and navigate strategic accounts (Integrated Delivery Networks, Academic Medical Centers, Centers of Excellence, etc.)
• Ability to exercise strong decision-making skills and live up to the highest ethical standards.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including confident executive presence.
• Ability to build productive partnerships and collaborate effectively in a matrix organization.
• Ability to creatively address problems in an organized, systematic way
• High degree of organizational awareness, ability to connect the dots to understand all the interdependency and big picture.
• Exceptional critical thinking to help identify educational gaps, analyze findings, and make recommendations while articulating next steps.
• Strong understanding of legal and regulatory environment in pharmaceutical promotional activities, pharma industry guidelines and other compliance-related issues
• Bachelor’s degree.
• MBA or advanced degree desired but not required.
• Extensive field travel required.
• Location- Central US

Keenova offers employees a Total Rewards package which includes competitive pay and benefits.

The expected base pay range for this position is $145K - $232K. Please note that base pay offered may vary depending on factors including job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

This position is eligible for a bonus in accordance with the terms of the applicable program. Bonuses are awarded at the Company’s discretion.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications. Management reserves the right to change or modify such duties as required.

#LI-REMOTE #LI-MR1

At Keenova, we believe that no one should be alone in their pursuit of better health. This purpose drives us as we pair quality therapeutics with human support—showing up in big moments and small to help patients find comfort and confidence.

We bring deep expertise and resolve to every therapeutic area we serve, including immunology, urology, men’s health, orthopedics, critical care, and pediatric endocrinology.

We work with patients, care partners, and physicians to help them navigate healthcare system complexity and access therapies that make a meaningful difference.

We are Keenova—keen to solve, keen to serve.

Learn more at www.keenova.com.

At Keenova, we know that we contribute to something that matters because we make quality products that impact patient lives.

Our dynamic work environment provides unique experiences for employees to grow and develop.

Invest in your own career with Keenova and let’s do something dynamic together.

Keenova provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race; color; gender; gender identity; sexual orientation; religions practices and observances; national origin; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; protected veteran status; disability; or any other category protected by law.

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