Associate Director, Thought Leader Liaison - Rheumatology

Location & Travel

• Candidate must reside in Los Angeles, CA or the surrounding area (relocation not provided; only local candidates will be considered).
• Territory covers CA, OR, WA, and HI.
• Field-based role requiring 60–80% travel; must have a valid driver's license.
• Driving is an essential function of the role; reasonable accommodations considered for otherwise qualified individuals with medical restrictions if accommodation does not eliminate this essential function.

About the Role

Shape the future of Rheumatology by influencing strategies, education, and insights that improve care for patients across the country. Build meaningful partnerships with leading Medical Experts, serve as a trusted advisor across the healthcare landscape, and bring external perspectives into critical business decisions. This highly visible field-based role connects people, generates actionable insights, and collaborates across Marketing, Medical Affairs, HCP Education, Congress Strategy, and Field Leadership to directly impact how Novartis engages customers and advances innovation in Rheumatology.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and strengthen relationships with established and emerging Medical Experts across the Dermatology landscape.
• Conduct compliant Medical Expert engagements to generate insights supporting strategic business priorities.
• Facilitate impactful discussions using approved resources to inform marketing and educational strategies.
• Capture, synthesize, and communicate actionable insights to cross-functional stakeholders.
• Support peer-to-peer education programs through expert insights, speaker development, and educational planning.
• Moderate approved educational programs and peer exchanges in accordance with company policies.
• Lead or support advisory boards, insight forums, speaker initiatives, and other marketing programs.
• Coordinate Medical Expert engagement activities for congresses, society meetings, and external events.
• Partner across Marketing, Medical Affairs, HCP Education, and Congress teams to execute aligned strategies.
• Leverage digital tools and CRM platforms to enhance engagement planning, insight generation, and collaboration.

Essential Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• At least 5 years of experience in Thought Leader/Medical Expert engagement, field-based marketing, regional marketing, HCP education, Medical Science Liaison, account management, medical communications, or a related pharmaceutical/biotech role.
• Candidate must reside within Los Angeles, CA or the surrounding area.
• Ability to travel 60–80% of the time over a broad geography, with ability to drive and/or fly within the territory of CA, OR, WA, and HI.
• Must have a valid driver's license.
• Proven ability to develop productive, compliant relationships with physicians, advanced practice providers, healthcare professionals, and other relevant external stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of field-based marketing, Medical Expert engagement, insight generation, peer-to-peer education, congress planning, and compliant cross-functional collaboration.
• Demonstrated ability to execute strategic plans, manage multiple priorities, and deliver high-quality work in a complex, matrixed environment.
• Strong analytical, communication, facilitation, and presentation skills with ability to synthesize information and communicate insights clearly to internal stakeholders.
• Ability to influence without authority, collaborate across functions, and build productive partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong organizational, project management, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Experience using CRM, digital engagement, insight capture, or other productivity tools to support planning, execution, and documentation.
• Financial and budgetary acumen, including ability to support planning and execution of initiatives within approved resources and company processes.
• Demonstrated commitment to compliance, ethical decision-making, professionalism, and adherence to company policies.

Desirable Qualifications

• Rheumatology therapeutic area expertise and field leadership experience.
• Experience collaborating across Marketing, Medical Affairs, HCP Education, Congress Strategy, and field leadership to support HCP education, peer-to-peer programs, congress execution, speaker development, and advisory initiatives.

Pay & Benefits

• Salary range: $145,600–$270,400 per year, determined based on factors like relevant skills and experience; reviewed periodically.
• Compensation includes a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on level, eligibility for annual equity awards.
• Comprehensive benefits package includes health, life, and disability benefits; 401(k) with company contribution and match; generous time off including vacation, personal days, holidays, and other leaves.

Additional Requirements

• For customer-facing roles: must comply with customers' credentialing guidelines, which may require COVID-19 vaccination; Novartis will consider reasonable accommodation requests as required by law.
• The individual hired will be required to successfully complete initial training, including home study, eight or fewer hours per day and forty or fewer hours per week.