Medical Director, US Medical Affairs, HCM

About the role

Cytokinetics is a specialty cardiovascular biopharmaceutical company with over 25 years of pioneering scientific innovations in muscle biology. We are advancing a pipeline of potential new medicines for patients suffering from diseases of cardiac muscle dysfunction. The Medical Director, US Medical Affairs, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy will assume a key role within the organization, working collaboratively with the Medical Affairs team to develop and execute the Medical Affairs plan for aficamten. This role partners cross-functionally with Commercial and Clinical departments in the strategic planning and life-cycle management of our cardiovascular portfolio.

As a subject matter expert in cardiology and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the Medical Director will provide support to internal colleagues, resolve medical issues, and contribute critical input into the development of medical documents (publications, external scientific communications, standard response letters, training materials, product materials, research ideas, internal training materials, etc.) to ensure high strategic and scientific standards. The Medical Director will serve as a key member of the Medical Affairs Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy team and may represent Medical Affairs externally through presentations at advisory boards, key scientific meetings, and interactions with key investigators. Additionally, this role supports strategic partnerships with key opinion leaders, academic institutions, and professional societies.

Responsibilities

• Support the ongoing development of aficamten, including assisting in the development and execution of medical strategy aligned with organizational, therapeutic area, and product objectives.
• Serve as a medical and scientific expert for the assigned therapeutic area, educating healthcare professionals (HCPs) regarding the clinical profile of aficamten and its place in HCM therapy.
• Provide medical leadership throughout aficamten development, launch readiness, and lifecycle management, including execution of medical launch activities.
• Provide medical input into cross-functional, brand, evidence generation, market access, and lifecycle management plans, as well as REMS activities.
• Partner with Clinical Development, Commercial, Regulatory, Safety, HEOR, Market Access, and Legal/Compliance on key strategic workstreams and deliverables, including scientific congress strategy, advisory boards, field force training, review of medical information, health economics, epidemiology analyses, and marketing/policy-related projects.
• Collaborate with regional and global colleagues to ensure aligned strategy while addressing local stakeholder needs.
• Participate in cross-functional Medical and Commercial teams to inform brand strategies and tactics for aficamten.
• Provide input into hypertrophic cardiomyopathy medical education, grant, and sponsorship review, and evaluate metrics to assess the reach, quality, and impact of medical education initiatives.
• Manage medical programs, vendors, timelines, budgets, contracts, and performance measures.
• Provide clinical and scientific support in responding to inquiries from healthcare professionals.
• Support the Medical Affairs review of medical and promotional scientific materials related to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and aficamten via MLR.
• Participate in the development of an integrated evidence plan strategy (IEP), including identifying evidence gaps and contributing to evidence generation strategy, such as real-world evidence and investigator-sponsored research.
• Collaborate with Field Medical Affairs to establish scientific priorities, training plans, and insight and stakeholder engagement strategy.
• Analyze field medical insights to inform medical, evidence generation, and educational strategy.
• Collaborate with US Field Medical Affairs to support field material development and address healthcare professional inquiries.
• Assist in Field Medical education for emerging aficamten data and HCM topics.
• Build and maintain an active US KOL HCM expert network.
• Identify and effectively interact with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy external experts to engage in scientific exchange to meet the needs of patients and the medical community.

Qualifications

• MD/DO or PharmD with prior pharmaceutical industry and Medical Affairs Medical Director experience; 3-5 years of Medical Affairs experience required.
• Cardiovascular training and clinical experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Medical Affairs strategy, including evidence generation, scientific communications, and external engagement strongly preferred.
• Prior experience with product approvals, launch, and peri-launch activities highly desirable.
• Background in academic medicine, clinical research, and familiarity with biostatistics and epidemiology highly desirable.
• Prior experience managing vendors, budgets, and strategic timelines a plus.
• Experience developing medical plans and aligning medical objectives with broader product and organizational strategy a plus.
• Familiarity with OPDP, PhRMA code, and key regulations in the pharmaceutical industry a plus.
• Ability to critically evaluate and interpret clinical trial data, peer-reviewed literature, treatment guidelines, and real-world evidence.
• Proven ability to work independently and as a member of an integrated, interdisciplinary team.
• Proven ability to translate complex scientific information into clear, accurate, and actionable medical guidance.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities, budgets, vendors, timelines, and deliverables.
• Working knowledge of congress strategy, advisory boards, medical education, and scientific communications.
• Analytical and articulate in both oral and written communication, with excellent presentation and executive communication skills.
• High level of scientific integrity, sound medical judgment, professionalism, and commitment to patient benefit.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Ability to travel (~30% of time).

Pay

The expected salary range for this position based on the primary location of South San Francisco, CA is $276,120-$322,140. The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors.

Benefits

• Base salary as a component of a competitive total compensation package.
• Equity in the form of stock options and/or restricted stock units.
• Comprehensive health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance coverage.
• 401k retirement benefits with employer match.
• Learning and wellness stipends.
• Paid time off.

Note that benefits are subject to change and may vary based on jurisdiction of employment.