Associate Director, Thought Leader Liaison - Rheumatology

Associate Director, Thought Leader LiaisonImagine shaping the future of Rheumatology by influencing the strategies, education, and insights that help improve care for patients across the country. As an Associate Director, Thought Leader Liaison, you will build meaningful partnerships with leading Medical Experts, serve as a trusted advisor across a dynamic healthcare landscape, and bring valuable external perspectives into critical business decisions. In this highly visible field-based role, your ability to connect people, generate actionable insights, and collaborate across Marketing, Medical Affairs, HCP Education, Congress Strategy, and Field Leadership will directly impact how Novartis engages customers and advances innovation in Rheumatology.Travel: This field-based role requires 60-80% travel. The expectation of working hours and travel (domestic and/or international) will be defined by the hiring manager.Key Responsibilities:Build and strengthen relationships with established and emerging Medical Experts across the Dermatology landscape.Conduct compliant Medical Expert engagements to generate insights supporting strategic business priorities.Facilitate impactful discussions using approved resources to inform marketing and educational strategies.Capture, synthesize, and communicate actionable insights to cross-functional stakeholders.Support peer-to-peer education programs through expert insights, speaker development, and educational planning.Moderate approved educational programs and peer exchanges in accordance with company policies.Lead or support advisory boards, insight forums, speaker initiatives, and other marketing programs.Coordinate Medical Expert engagement activities for congresses, society meetings, and external events.Partner across Marketing, Medical Affairs, HCP Education, and Congress teams to execute aligned strategies.Leverage digital tools and CRM platforms to enhance engagement planning, insight generation, and collaboration.Essential Requirements:Bachelor's degree in a related field; MBA or advanced degree preferredAt least 5 years of experience in Thought Leader/Medical Expert engagement, field-based marketing, regional marketing, HCP education, Medical Science Liaison, account management, medical communications, or a related pharmaceutical/biotech role.Candidate must reside within Los Angeles, CA or the surrounding area. Ability to travel 60-80% of the time over a broad geography is required, with the ability to drive and/or fly within the territory of CA, OR, WA and HI. Must have a valid driver's license.Proven ability to develop productive, compliant relationships with physicians, advanced practice providers, healthcare professionals, and other relevant external stakeholders.Strong understanding of field-based marketing, Medical Expert engagement, insight generation, peer-to-peer education, congress planning, and compliant cross-functional collaboration.Demonstrated ability to execute strategic plans, manage multiple priorities, and deliver high-quality work in a complex, matrixed environment.Strong analytical, communication, facilitation, and presentation skills with the ability to synthesize information and communicate insights clearly to internal stakeholders.Ability to influence without authority, collaborate across functions, and build productive partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.Strong organizational, project management, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.Experience using CRM, digital engagement, insight capture, or other productivity tools to support planning, execution, and documentation.Financial and budgetary acumen, including the ability to support planning and execution of initiatives within approved resources and company processes.Demonstrated commitment to compliance, ethical decision-making, professionalism, and adherence to company policies.Desirable Requirements:Rheumatology therapeutic area expertise and field leadership experienceExperience collaborating across Marketing, Medical Affairs, HCP Education, Congress Strategy, and field leadership to support HCP education, peer-to-peer programs, congress execution, speaker development, and advisory initiatives.Driving is an Essential Function of this Role: Meaning it is fundamental to the purpose of this job and cannot be eliminated. Because driving is an essential function of the role, you must have a fully valid and unrestricted driver's license to be qualified for this role. The company provides reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified individuals with medical restrictions if an accommodation can be provided without eliminating the essential function of driving.Novartis Compensation Summary: The salary for this position is expected to range between $145,600 and $270,400 per year. Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards.US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. In addition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves.EEO Statement: The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to us.reasonableaccommodations@novartis.com or call +1(877)395-2339 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. 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