VP, Global Medical Affairs

Zai Lab, Ltd.; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 369,000 - 536,000; Full time

Job summary

Zai Lab Limited seeks a VP, Global Medical Affairs to lead the global medical affairs organization, shaping vision, strategy, and operating infrastructure for the first global launch and expanding pipeline. The role will oversee medical affairs across oncology and immunology, driving scientific leadership, evidence generation, and cross-functional collaboration to maximize product value.

The candidate will partner with Regulatory, Commercial, and Market Access, build a high-performing team,

Qualifications

• MD with 12 years of progressive experience in medical affairs within the biopharmaceutical industry.
• Experience leading global medical affairs organizations, including pre-launch and launch support.
• Strong scientific acumen and ability to translate complex data for diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Define and own the Medical Affairs strategy for global oncology and immunology.
• Provide executive-level scientific leadership across governance bodies and cross-functional teams.
• Ensure compliance with regulations and internal policies; develop SOPs and governance.
• Lead pre-launch and launch readiness plans; collaborate with Regulatory on label development and health authority interactions.
• Oversee evidence generation plans, publication strategy, and medical education materials.
• Engage external stakeholders including KOLs, professional societies, and patient advocacy groups.
• Build and lead a high-performing Medical Affairs team across regions; manage budget and vendor governance.

Skills

Executive leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Scientific communication

Strategic thinking

Education

MD in Medical Affairs

Job description

Zai Lab Limited (NASDAQ: ZLAB; HKEX: 9688) is an innovative, research-based, commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company based in China and the United States focused on bringing transformative medicines for oncology, autoimmune disorders, infectious diseases, and neurological disorders to patients in China and around the world. Our goal is to leverage our competencies and resources to positively impact human health worldwide.

Founded in 2014, our experienced team has secured partnerships with leading global biopharmaceutical companies, generating a broad and late-stage pipeline of innovative drug candidates. Based on our proven track record of success, Zai Lab has earned the reputation as a trusted partner of choice for global biopharmaceutical companies seeking to not only access the Chinese market but also find a long-term strategic partner for global clinical development. Our unique business model builds on our in-licensed assets and innovative partnerships to expand our internal discovery and development capabilities and has created a portfolio of potential best-in-class and/or first-in-class therapies. Zai currently has four products on the market in China

Zai Lab was successfully listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market in September 2017 and completed secondary listing on Hong Kong Stock Exchange in September 2020. In 2022, Zai Lab became dual-primary listed on both the Nasdaq and the Hong Kong Stock Exchanges. Since its inception, Zai Lab has expanded significantly with several offices across China. In 2021, Zai Lab established its U.S. Headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts. As of January 2022, the Company has a global team of approximately 2000 employees.

Job Description

Primary Function:

The VP, Global Medical Affairs will build and lead Zai Lab's Global Medical Affairs organization, with primary emphasis on the US and other regions outside China. This leader will establish the vision, strategy, organizational capabilities, and operating infrastructure required to support the company's first global launch and expanding pipeline. The role will serve as the senior Medical Affairs leader for global programs across the oncology and immunology portfolio, driving scientific leadership, evidence generation, external engagement, and cross-functional collaboration to maximize the value of Zai Lab's medicines throughout their lifecycle.

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

Medical Affairs Strategy & Organizational Leadership

• Define and own the Medical Affairs strategy for Zai Lab's global oncology and immunology portfolio, providing leadership for global medical priorities, scientific engagement, and evidence generation. Foster strong partnership with Medical Affairs leadership in China to ensure a coordinated and aligned approach to global programs.
• Provide executive-level scientific leadership and represent Medical Affairs across internal governance bodies, executive leadership forums, and cross-functional decision-making processes.
• Ensure all medical affairs activities comply with applicable regulations, industry standards (PhRMA, OIG), and internal policies; lead development and continuous improvement of Medical Affairs SOPs and governance frameworks; oversee Medical Information operations and respond to escalated medical inquiries.

Pre-Launch & Launch Readiness

• Develop and execute comprehensive pre-launch Medical Affairs plans for global pipeline assets in the US and other regions outside China, establishing the scientific and clinical foundation ahead of commercial launch.
• Partner with Regulatory Affairs on US label development, lifecycle management, and Health Authority interactions, including FDA advisory committees and scientific advice meetings.
• Lead KOL identification, mapping, and engagement strategies across key oncology centers and academic institutions; establish peer-level relationships with thought leaders in SCLC, neuroendocrine carcinomas, and other priority indications.
• Partner with Commercial and Market Access teams to ensure scientific communication readiness, payer evidence packages, and HEOR alignment as commercial infrastructure is built out.

Evidence Generation & Scientific Communication

• Develop and oversee evidence generation plans across the US and other regions outside China, including IIS programs, real-world evidence (RWE) initiatives, and collaborative research studies in partnership with academic and community oncology centers.
• Lead the publication strategy and oversight for global Medical Affairs programs, ensuring high-quality, timely dissemination of clinical data at key oncology congresses (ASCO, AACR, ASH, ESMO) and in peer-reviewed journals.
• Oversee the development of scientific communication materials, medical education content, and advisory board programs that accurately reflect the clinical data and support appropriate use.
• Champion competitive intelligence and landscape analysis, translating insights into actionable medical strategy.

External Stakeholder & Patient Advocacy Engagement

• Engage key oncology cooperative groups, professional societies, and academic networks to advance disease education and support Zai Lab’s scientific reputation.
• Own the patient advocacy strategy for the US and other regions outside China; build relationships with relevant patient advocacy organizations, integrate patient perspectives into medical strategy, and support disease awareness and education initiatives.
• Represent Zai Lab at national and international medical congresses, scientific symposia, and regulatory interactions as appropriate.
• Work effectively across global time zones and travel up to 25%.

People Leadership & Operations

• Build and lead a high-performing Medical Affairs team supporting the US and other regions outside China, while partnering closely with Medical Affairs leadership in China on global programs and cross-regional coordination; recruit, develop, and retain top scientific talent, establishing clear accountability, performance metrics, and development plans while fostering a culture of scientific rigor, patient-centricity, and integrity.
• Oversee departmental budget planning, resource allocation, and agency/vendor governance to ensure operational excellence.

Qualifications

REQUIRED:

• MD with 12 years of progressive experience in medical affairs within the biopharmaceutical industry.

PREFERRED:

• Clinical background in oncology or hematology; experience in precision oncology, ADCs, or immuno-oncology; existing KOL network in SCLC, lung cancers, or neuroendocrine carcinomas.
• Demonstrated track record of building and leading global or US medical affairs organizations, including pre-launch, launch, and in-line medical support for oncology or specialty assets; proven ability to partner cross-functionally with Commercial, Market Access, Regulatory, and Clinical Development.
• Deep expertise in US and global medical affairs operations: MSL programs, evidence generation, publication planning, medical education, advisory boards, and medical information.
• Proven pre-launch and launch medical affairs leadership, including HEOR and market access medical strategy integration; experience in a global US/China operating environment or cross-border clinical and regulatory programs is a plus.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with demonstrated success building medical affairs organizations in high-growth, pre-commercial or early commercial US biotech settings.
• Strong scientific acumen with the ability to translate complex clinical data into compelling medical narratives; excellent communication and executive presence, comfortable engaging KOLs, health authorities, and C-suite stakeholders.
• Ability to work across several time zones and travel internationally.
• Experience in cross-regional collaboration including Asia/China.
• Maintains the highest standards of integrity and ethics.

Additional Information

The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $369K and $536K/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a sign-on bonus, restricted stock units, and discretionary awards in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave), dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.

If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

At Zai Lab, we are proud of the gender diversity of our company and our promotion of women in biotech. We have achieved gender base pay equity at all levels, 59% of our employees are women and 53% of our management positions are held by women. We are committed to the health of patients and our planet. That’s why our environmental protection, social responsibility, and corporate governance strategy, called “Trust for Life,” is integrated within our business.

Disclaimer: This description is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirement for the position. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or based on disability.

Zai Lab is committed to protecting the privacy and security of the information we collect and to being transparent about the purposes for which we use your information. We have a Privacy Notice which sets forth our policies and practices for handling the information we collect and use in the employment context. Privacy Notice available upon request.