Medical Science Liaison, Nephrology - AR, KS, OK, North East TX

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 nephrology and immunology disease states. 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. The role involves customizing regional business strategies, addressing medical and educational needs, and collaborating across internal teams to ensure a unified, patient-centric approach.

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.
• Maintain a deep understanding of the ecosystem to align with Otsuka’s patient-centric strategy, ensuring optimal patient care.
• Serve as a credible source of evidence-based information demonstrating the value of Otsuka’s products from clinical, economic, and humanistic standpoints.
• Engage stakeholders at the local and regional levels to influence and apply practical solutions for improving patient outcomes.
• Build and maintain internal working relationships across the matrix team to ensure an enterprise-wide approach when working with customers.
• Shape and execute local medical strategies in alignment with regional Field Medical Affairs (FMA) leadership and planned timelines.
• Lead special projects and take on incremental roles within FMA as requested by management.
• Disseminate disease state and healthcare landscape information to customers in the field based on 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, prioritize evidence generation, and share at the local ecosystem level.
• Assist with Otsuka’s clinical trials program, including registrational, post-marketing, Investigator-Sponsored Trials (ISTs), health economic outcomes research, and other medical collaborations.
• Provide clinical expertise and feedback on 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, medical education, and the Field Medical Center of Excellence for mentoring and best practices.

Requirements

• MD/DO, PharmD, or PhD in life sciences, or a Master’s degree with equivalent clinical experience.
• Deep understanding of health systems, patient care delivery, and experience working with healthcare professionals and decision-makers.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in pharmaceutical industry Medical Affairs.
• Previous training or experience in immune-mediated kidney disease is preferred.
• Outstanding business acumen, including knowledge of the industry, Otsuka’s business model, value proposition, competitors, and marketplace dynamics.
• Ability to identify solutions aimed at improving patient outcomes.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and conflict resolution skills; ability to work effectively in a cross-functional environment.
• Strong leadership and strategic project management abilities.
• Ability to summarize and communicate complex information concisely during presentations and interactions.
• Strong understanding of industry legal, regulatory, and compliance landscape.
• Ability to work in an ambiguous, transforming environment.
• Demonstrates behaviors aligned with Otsuka’s Corporate Brand: Perseverance, Unconventional Thinking, and Humility.
• Business travel, by air or car, up to 70% of the time, depending on territory size.
• Preferred living location is a key city within the assigned territory.

Skills

• Accountability for Results: Focus on strategic objectives, high performance standards, and leading 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.