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. This field-based position contributes to the development of the ecosystem strategic business plan, identifies key stakeholders, and serves as a credible partner providing clinical, scientific, and health economic information related to CNS disease states and Otsuka products. The MSL engages with Key Influencers (KIs), Local Practice Leaders (LPLs), healthcare providers, and patient groups to improve patient outcomes aligned with Otsuka’s objectives. MSLs collaborate with ecosystem partners to customize regional business strategies and address the medical and educational needs of customers.

Responsibilities

• Contribute a clinical and scientific perspective to the local execution plan addressing customer challenges, issues, and opportunities to improve patient care and outcomes, including coordination of field activities.
• Build, cultivate, and leverage external relationships with key scientific and medical customers and organizations to understand evolving healthcare trends, disease states, Otsuka products, systems, and services.
• 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, ensuring optimal patient care.
• Serve as a credible source of evidence-based information demonstrating the value of Otsuka products from clinical, economic, and humanistic standpoints.
• Engage stakeholders at the local and regional levels to apply practical, real-world solutions for improving patient outcomes.
• Build and maintain internal working relationships across the matrix team to ensure an enterprise approach when working with customers.
• Shape and execute local medical strategies within planned timelines, accountable to 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 and healthcare solutions.
• Assist with Otsuka’s clinical trials program, including registrational, post-marketing, and Investigator-Sponsored Trials (ISTs), health economic outcomes research, and other medical collaborations.
• Provide clinical expertise and feedback regarding operational management of clinical trials to ensure optimal site selection and performance.
• Participate as a mentor in peer functional and therapeutic development, including onboarding new hires.
• Support other organizational areas, including Safety & Pharmacovigilance, Sales Training, and the Field Medical Center of Excellence for mentoring and best practices sharing.

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 the interconnectivity of health systems, overall delivery of patient care, and experience working with healthcare professionals and decision-makers.
• Previous training or experience in CNS disease is preferred.
• Strong business acumen, including knowledge of the industry, Otsuka’s business model, value proposition, key competitors, and marketplace dynamics.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and conflict resolution skills; ability to work effectively in a cross-functional environment.
• Ability to lead project teams strategically and summarize complex information concisely.
• Strong understanding of industry legal, regulatory, and compliance landscape.
• Ability to work in an ambiguous environment undergoing transformation.
• Demonstrates behaviors aligned with Otsuka’s Corporate Brand: Perseverance, Unconventional Thinking, and Humility.
• Business travel, by air or car, up to 70% of time depending on territory size; preferred living location is a key city in the territory.

Skills

• Accountability for Results: Focus on key strategic objectives and lead change.
• Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving: Make decisions considering long-term impact on customers, patients, employees, and the business.
• Patient & Customer Centricity: Maintain focus on the needs of customers and key stakeholders.
• Impactful Communication: Communicate with logic, clarity, and respect to influence at all levels.
• Respectful Collaboration: Seek and value diverse perspectives to enhance partnerships.
• Empowered Development: Actively engage in professional development as a business imperative.

Pay

Minimum $150,034.00 - Maximum $224,250.00, plus incentive opportunity. The range represents a typical pay range for individuals hired in the United States. Actual pay may vary based on job experience, specific 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.