Vice President, Medical Affairs Global Engagement Strategy

Stoke Therapeutics (Nasdaq: STOK) is a biotechnology company dedicated to restoring protein expression by harnessing the body’s potential with RNA medicine. Using Stoke’s proprietary TANGO (Targeted Augmentation of Nuclear Gene Output) approach, Stoke is developing antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) to selectively restore naturally-occurring protein levels. Stoke’s first medicine in development, zorevunersen, has demonstrated potential for disease modification in patients with Dravet syndrome and is currently being evaluated in a Phase 3 study. Stoke’s initial focus is on diseases of the central nervous system and the eye caused by haploinsufficiency. Proof of concept has been demonstrated in other organs, tissues, and systems, supporting broad potential for Stoke’s approach. Stoke is headquartered in Bedford, Massachusetts.

About the Role

The VP, Medical Affairs - Global Engagement Strategy is a pivotal leadership role responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive global strategy for identifying, developing, and fostering relationships with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), scientific experts, and medical/scientific societies across relevant therapeutic areas. This individual will ensure Stoke’s scientific and medical voice is strategically amplified and that external insights are effectively integrated into medical and development strategies. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional communication and networking skills, and a proven ability to operate effectively within a complex global matrix organization and with joint collaborators. This position reports to the SVP of Global Medical Affairs.

Responsibilities

• Global KOL Engagement Strategy
  • Develop, refine, and execute a robust global strategy for identifying, segmenting, profiling, and engaging with KOLs, scientific experts, and emerging thought leaders.
  • Ensure KOL engagement strategies align with overarching global medical affairs plans, corporate objectives, and regional needs.
  • Work closely with internal stakeholders including Regional Medical Directors, Clinical Development, R&D, Commercial, Market Access, Regulatory, and Legal to ensure a unified and consistent approach to external engagement.
  • Proactively identify potential external scientific advisors, speakers, and investigators for company-sponsored educational initiatives.
  • Cultivate and maintain strong, compliant, and mutually beneficial relationships with key global KOLs and scientific experts.
  • Gather and synthesize external medical insights from KOLs to inform internal medical, clinical development, research, and commercial strategies.
  • Collaborate closely with alliance partners to optimize engagement approaches globally, share best practices, and advance mutual capabilities.
• Medical Society Engagement
  • Develop and implement a strategic global engagement plan for relevant medical and scientific societies and professional organizations.
  • Identify opportunities for scientific collaboration, educational initiatives, and data dissemination through society channels.
  • Represent the company at key international and national scientific congresses, symposia, and society meetings, fostering strong relationships and gathering competitive intelligence.
  • Liaise with Patient Advocacy and Policy functions to develop a complementary global engagement strategy.
  • Communicate external insights and engagement plans effectively to senior leadership, joint collaborators, and relevant internal teams.
  • Ensure all global KOL and society engagement activities are conducted in compliance with applicable local, national, and international regulations, industry guidelines (e.g., PhRMA, IFPMA, EFPIA), and company policies.
  • Implement and oversee robust processes for documenting interactions and maintaining compliance records.
• KOL Engagement Programming
  • Lead and manage a Global KOL Working Group, planning and executing meetings throughout the year to align and gain guidance on key strategic questions, data, and workstreams.
  • Plan and execute Visiting Professor Programs to educate internal Stoke teams on unique clinical and scientific unmet needs and current perspectives.
  • Work closely with KOLs and Centers of Excellence to plan and execute Clinical Learning experiences where Stoke teams visit top clinical sites to gain pragmatic, real-world teaching and expertise.
  • Collaborate with KOLs and Society leadership to develop and execute preceptorship programs to augment clinical training and development of future clinical experts.
  • Identify and develop innovative and compliant ways to convene experts, societies, and community members in dialogue on advancing healthcare to optimize patient outcomes, including planning and executing expert meetings.
  • Work closely with Regional Medical Directors to facilitate KOL participation in advisory boards, working groups, speaker programs, and other scientific exchange activities.
• Field Medical Value & Access
  • Build and lead a small team of Regional Medical Value Directors responsible for engaging national and regional payer organizations, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), integrated delivery networks (IDNs), and other healthcare decision-makers.
  • Partner closely with Market Access leadership to ensure ongoing activities are compliantly aligned with corporate strategic objectives.

Requirements

• Advanced clinical or scientific degree in a relevant discipline is required.
• Minimum of 10+ years of progressive clinical and/or Medical Affairs experience, including significant people leadership experience.
• At least 10+ years of specific experience in global or regional KOL engagement, thought leader development, and medical society relations.
• Proven track record of building and maintaining strong, compliant relationships with external scientific experts.
• Experience planning and executing medical affairs activities at major international congresses.

Skills

• Exceptional interpersonal and networking skills, with a proven ability to influence and build rapport with highly influential external stakeholders.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, including presentation and negotiation abilities.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to navigate and influence within a complex global matrix organization.
• High degree of professionalism, integrity, and ethical conduct.
• Ability to travel globally as required (up to 30-40%).

Location

This is a remote role and may be located anywhere in the continental US. Stoke is headquartered in Bedford, MA, and will be moving to a new location in Waltham, MA by the end of 2026.

Schedule

This position will require approximately 30-40% travel.

Pay

The anticipated salary range for this role is $334,000 - $396,000. The final offer will be determined based on role scope, experience, qualifications, education, market benchmarks, internal equity, and geographic location. In addition to base salary, Stoke offers an annual bonus and equity participation.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Life, long-term, and short-term disability insurance.
• Paid parental leave.
• 401K plan with company match.
• Unlimited vacation time.
• Tuition assistance.
• Participation in the Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP).

Culture & Values

At Stoke, we believe innovation and advancing our ground-breaking science are enhanced by periodic in-person collaboration. We allow flexibility in work arrangements that balance individual needs with business requirements. Our values guide our work to deliver meaningful medicines for people who need them. We are committed to being true to ourselves, to our colleagues, and to the people with severe diseases who are counting on us. We embrace diversity within a unique culture defined by our values. Our employee-led Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DIB) Committee underscores the importance of DIB to who we are and what we do.