Senior Director, Field Medical Science Liaison, Medical Affairs
Beam Therapeutics
Company Overview:
Beam Therapeutics is a biotechnology company committed to establishing the leading, fully integrated platform for precision genetic medicines. To achieve this vision, Beam has assembled a platform that includes a suite of gene editing and delivery technologies and is in the process of building internal manufacturing capabilities. Beam’s suite of gene editing technologies is anchored by base editing, a proprietary technology that is designed to enable precise, predictable and efficient single base changes, at targeted genomic sequences, without making double-stranded breaks in the DNA. This has the potential to enable a wide range of potential therapeutic editing strategies that Beam is using to advance a diversified portfolio of base editing programs. Beam is a values-driven organization committed to its people, cutting-edge science, and a vision of providing life-long cures to patients suffering from serious diseases.
Position Overview:
Beam is searching for a dynamic, experienced, and strategic Senior Director, Field Medical Science Liaison to join our growing Medical Affairs team. This is an exciting opportunity to build and lead a best-in-class field medical organization at the forefront of a novel cell and gene therapy for rare hematologic and liver diseases. The Senior Director, Field Medical will be responsible for shaping and executing a field strategy, leading a team of expert MSLs, and driving meaningful scientific engagement that accelerates our mission to bring transformative therapies to patients suffering from serious diseases. If you're energized by cutting-edge science, collaborative culture, and the opportunity to make a lasting impact—this is the role for you.
Responsibilities:
- Field Team Leadership & Development
- Build, lead, mentor, and manage a geographically dispersed team of MSLs, ensuring alignment with Medical Affairs priorities and therapeutic area objectives.
- Foster a high-performance culture through strategic hiring, tailored onboarding, structured training programs, coaching, and performance development.
- Strategic Field Direction
- Work closely with the VP, Medical Affairs to design and implement a dynamic field medical strategy that supports current and future launches in rare hematologic diseases, including patient identification, KOL engagement, and trial site support.
- Guide and monitor MSL engagement plans, ensuring alignment with strategic imperatives, regional needs, and the evolving healthcare landscape.
- Define KPIs and other success metrics to track MSL effectiveness and field medical impact across the lifecycle.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Collaborate with Commercial, Clinical Development, Regulatory, Medical Information, and Market Access teams to ensure seamless integration of field medical efforts.
- Partner with Medical Affairs leadership to contribute to advisory boards, scientific congresses, publication strategy, medical education, and clinical site engagement.
- Scientific Engagement and Insights Generation
- Support high-quality, compliant scientific exchange with KOLs, investigators, healthcare providers, and other external stakeholders to inform research, access, and educational strategies.
- Monitor and adapt MSL training programs and scientific materials to reflect emerging clinical data, competitive intelligence, and field feedback.
- Drive insight generation frameworks to ensure systematic collection, analysis, and application of field intelligence across the organization.
- Operational Excellence
- Oversee budget planning and resource allocation for the MSL function, ensuring fiscal responsibility and alignment with corporate objectives.
- Develop and optimize field operations processes, including CRM utilization (e.g., Veeva), analytics, reporting tools, and territory alignment.
- Uphold compliance with company policies and industry regulations, ensuring ethical conduct and scientific integrity in all field activities.
Qualifications:
- Advanced degree in life sciences (MD, PharmD, PhD, or equivalent) required with 15+ years experience.
- Minimum of 8–10 years of experience in Medical Affairs, with at least 3–5 years in field medical leadership roles.
- Experience launching or supporting cell and gene therapy products and/or experience with Sickle Cell Disease.
- Proven success in building and managing high-performing, geographically distributed MSL teams.
- Scientific curiosity.
- Deep scientific understanding of rare hematologic diseases, immunology, or cell/gene therapy strongly preferred.
- Experience in pre-launch and launch planning for innovative therapeutics highly desirable.
- Strong knowledge of regulatory and compliance requirements related to field medical engagement and scientific exchange.
- Demonstrated cross-functional leadership in a matrixed environment; able to influence and drive results across clinical, commercial, and medical teams.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and strategic thinking skills.
- Proficiency in relevant platforms (e.g., Microsoft Office, Veeva CRM, Smartsheet, Tableau).
- Ability to travel approximately 50–60% domestically, including overnight and weekend travel as needed.