Iovance Biotherapeutics aims to be the global leader in innovating, developing and delivering tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy for people with cancer. We are pioneering a transformational approach to treating cancer by harnessing the ability of the human immune system to recognize and attack diverse cancer cells in each patient. The Iovance TIL platform has demonstrated promising clinical data across multiple solid tumors. We are committed to continuous innovation in cell therapy, including gene-edited cell therapy, which may be a promising option for patients with cancer.
Overview
The Director, Medical Affairs (Medical Science Liaison) is a field-based medical leader responsible for shaping and executing regional field medical strategy for Iovances developmental and marketed products through high-impact scientific exchange, generation and communication of actionable medical insights, and cross-functional partnership. This role develops and sustains relationships with regional and national external experts (e.g., key opinion leaders, investigators, and healthcare systems) and leads territory planning and prioritization to support medical objectives, including clinical trial site identification and execution, consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and company policies. The Director operates with a high degree of autonomy and accountability, provides strategic thought leadership within the field medical organization, and helps establish consistent standards, processes, and capability building across the team, including coaching and mentoring as assigned.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
- Own and advance the regional field medical strategy within the assigned territory, ensuring impactful, fair-balanced, evidence-based scientific exchange and representing Iovance as a credible, trusted partner to the healthcare community
- Lead delivery of high-quality scientific and clinical presentations on disease state(s) and Iovance products (approved and pipeline) to internal and external audiences; ensure appropriate use of approved materials, coach others on effective scientific communication, and uphold compliance requirements
- Strategically identify, map, and profile external experts (e.g., KOLs, investigators, advocacy and healthcare system stakeholders) and develop and operationalize territory engagement plans that prioritize the highest-impact accounts and inform enterprise medical priorities
- Develop and sustain strategic relationships with healthcare professionals and clinical investigators in academic and community settings; proactively identify scientific collaboration opportunities aligned with the medical plan (e.g., publications, advisory boards, investigator-initiated research support, and clinical trials, as applicable) and partner with internal stakeholders to enable execution
- Establish and maintain a high bar for insight quality by collecting, synthesizing, and communicating actionable field medical insights using approved tools and processes; identify trends, elevate insights to internal stakeholders, and help drive insight-to-action discussions and follow-through
- Provide scientific leadership for Medical Affairs activities and scientific sessions at key congresses/meetings; develop and execute regional congress engagement plans in coordination with internal stakeholders and support post-congress medical pull-through
- Lead strong cross-functional partnerships (e.g., Medical Affairs, Clinical Science, Clinical Operations, Market Access, and Commercial) to ensure coordinated execution of the medical plan, appropriate and compliant information flow, and alignment on key priorities across the region
- Model inclusive, professional leadership behaviors and contribute to a collaborative team culture through clear communication, reliable follow-through, and constructive partnership with internal and external stakeholders
- Apply strong problem-solving, prioritization, and decision-making skills to address complex field challenges; anticipate needs of patients and the healthcare community, recommend solutions consistent with medical strategy, and appropriately escalate risks and opportunities
- Demonstrate deep scientific/clinical expertise and executive presence, with the ability to communicate complex data clearly, accurately, and compliantly to a range of audiences and to influence medical decision-making
- Provide leadership and coaching (e.g., onboarding, field shadowing, sharing best practices, peer mentoring) and contribute to field medical capability building; may serve as a people manager and/or lead for initiatives, as needed
- Operate in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and company policies (e.g., scientific exchange, privacy, adverse event reporting) and promptly escalate questions or issues through established channels
- Must adhere to Iovance Biotherapeutics’ core values, policies, procedures, and business ethics.
- Perform miscellaneous duties as assigned.
Travel
- Ability and willingness to travel up to 60% of the time within the assigned territory, as business needs require
Required Education, Skills, and Knowledge
- 12 to 15+ years of relevant biopharmaceutical/biotechnology industry experience, including 7 to 10+ years in Medical Affairs and/or an MSL role with increasing scope, strategic leadership, and accountability
- Advanced scientific degree (MD, PhD, PharmD)
- Demonstrated capability in needs assessment, facilitation, prioritization, decision making, collaboration, planning and organizing, execution and follow-up, with strong written and verbal communication and the ability to influence senior stakeholders in a matrix environment
- Strong meeting management skills and operational capabilities, including use of metrics/KPIs, documentation, and continuous improvement to drive consistent field execution
- Demonstrated ability to influence and align stakeholders within a complex matrix environment without direct authority; comfortable engaging with senior leaders and external experts
- Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work within timelines
- Ability to work effectively within a matrix organization to achieve desired outcomes
Preferred Education, Skills, and Knowledge
- Experience as an MSL (or relevant industry role) and experience in oncology/immuno-oncology (e.g., melanoma and/or lung cancer) and/or cellular therapy
- Familiarity with the assigned territory and relevant external experts/healthcare systems
- Understanding of regulatory requirements for field-based personnel
- Demonstrated ability to present effective and influential oral presentations
- Proven ability to coordinate across diverse functions, ensuring comprehensive and consistent planning
- Experience managing project and/or department budgets, resourcing, and vendor partnerships, aligning investments with strategic direction and demonstrating fiscal stewardship
- Demonstrated people leadership (direct and/or indirect), including hiring, onboarding, coaching, performance development, and leading through change
The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made upon request to enable individuals to perform essential functions. Please contact Human Resources to request an accommodation.
Physical Demands and Activities Required
- Ability to travel, usually within the US; field-based position with potential for significant travel
- Ability to remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) for extended periods, as needed, with or without reasonable accommodation
- Ability to move within a home or office environment and to position and transport typical work materials and equipment, with or without reasonable accommodation
- Ability to review and analyze scientific/medical information and work on a computer for extended periods, with or without reasonable accommodation
- Ability to perform repetitive hand/wrist motions associated with computer and mobile device use, with or without reasonable accommodation
- Ability to communicate and exchange information with internal and external stakeholders, with or without reasonable accommodation
Cognitive and organizational requirements: Ability to apply sound judgment; analyze and interpret information; solve problems; maintain confidentiality and discretion; manage multiple priorities; and meet timelines, with or without reasonable accommodation
Work Environment
This job operates in a professional or remote office environment and requires operating standard office equipment and keyboards.
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The statements contained in this document are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by a colleague assigned to this description. They are not intended to constitute a comprehensive list of functions, duties, or local variances. Management retains the discretion to add or to change the duties of the position at any time.
Iovance is committed to cultivating and offering a diverse and inclusive work environment. As an equal-opportunity employer, our employees and applicants will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. If you need assistance or accommodation to apply to one of our opportunities, please contact [email protected].
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