Medical Science Liaison, CNS - Great Lakes

About the role

The Medical Science Liaison (MSL) is an integral member of Otsuka’s ecosystem-based customer engagement model, contributing to the development of the ecosystem strategic business plan and identifying key stakeholders. This field-based position engages with Key Influencers (KIs), Local Practice Leaders (LPLs), healthcare providers, and patient groups to provide clinical, scientific, and health economic information related to CNS disease states and Otsuka products. The MSL collaborates with ecosystem partners to customize regional business strategies, address local needs, and improve patient outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Contribute a clinical and scientific perspective to the local execution plan addressing customer challenges, issues, and opportunities to improve patient care and outcomes.
• Build, cultivate, and leverage external relationships with key scientific and medical customers (KIs, LPLs, Key Decision Makers, Patient Advocacy) to understand evolving healthcare trends, disease states, and Otsuka products.
• Deliver on business objectives that impact the Medical Affairs organization beyond the assigned territory.
• Develop and maintain a deep understanding of the ecosystem to align with Otsuka’s patient-centric strategy and priorities.
• Serve as a credible source of evidence-based information demonstrating the clinical, economic, and humanistic value of Otsuka products.
• Engage stakeholders at the local and regional levels to apply practical solutions for improving patient outcomes.
• Build internal relationships across the matrix team to ensure an enterprise approach when working with customers.
• Shape and execute local medical strategies in collaboration with regional Field Medical leadership.
• Disseminate disease state and healthcare landscape information to customers as defined by priorities.
• Provide clinical and data-focused training for promotional and disease state speakers; may serve as part of Otsuka’s speaker bureau.
• Collect and submit medical insights to drive decision-making and prioritize evidence generation efforts.
• Assist with Otsuka’s clinical trials program, including registrational, post-marketing, and Investigator-Sponsored Trials (ISTs), health economic outcomes research, and other medical collaborations.
• Mentor peers in functional and therapeutic development, including new hires.
• Support other organizational areas, including Safety & Pharmacovigilance, Sales Training, and the Field Medical Center of Excellence.

Requirements

• MD/DO, PharmD, or PhD in life sciences required.
• Minimum 2 years of relevant experience in pharmaceutical industry Medical Affairs or comparable clinical/research experience.
• Understanding of health system interconnectivity, patient care delivery, and experience working with healthcare professionals and decision-makers.
• Previous training or experience in CNS disease preferred.
• Strong business acumen, including knowledge of industry dynamics, Otsuka’s business model, value proposition, and key competitors.
• Ability to identify solutions aimed at improving patient outcomes.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to lead strategically and summarize complex information concisely.
• Strong understanding of industry legal, regulatory, and compliance landscape.
• Ability to work in ambiguous, transforming environments.
• Demonstrates behaviors aligned with Otsuka’s corporate values: Perseverance, Unconventional Thinking, and Humility.
• Business travel up to 70% of the time, depending on territory size; preferred living location is a key city in the territory.

Skills

• Accountability for Results: Focus on strategic objectives and high performance.
• Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving: Decisions consider long-term impact on customers, patients, and the business.
• Patient & Customer Centricity: Ongoing focus on customer and stakeholder needs.
• Impactful Communication: Clear, logical, and respectful communication to influence at all levels.
• Respectful Collaboration: Values diverse perspectives to enhance partnerships.
• Empowered Development: Active role in professional development.

Pay

Minimum $150,034.00 - Maximum $224,250.00, plus incentive opportunity. The range represents typical pay for individuals hired in the U.S., with actual pay determined by experience, skills, and comparison to internal incumbents.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
• Company-provided basic life, accidental death & dismemberment, short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• Tuition reimbursement and student loan assistance.
• Generous 401(k) match.
• Flexible time off, paid holidays, and paid leave programs.
• Additional company-provided benefits.