Medical Science Liaison (New England Territory)

Company Profile:

At Verastem Oncology, our purpose is to create a world where no cancer patient ever runs out of options. This commitment is central to who we are as a company and the culture we nurture. We are laser focused in our efforts to establish avutometinib defactinib as the backbone of therapy for RAS-mediated tumors. We look for people who share our perspective; when others see only a problem, we see an opportunity, when others give up, we step up. We partner with global leaders (and their teams!) and these relationships help us to serve the patients who need us most. We appreciate your candidacy for the Verastem Oncology team, and encourage you to learn more at www.verastem.com.

General Scope and Summary

The Medical Science Liaison (MSL) role is the field-based medical/scientific expert for Verastem Oncology, focusing on engagement with healthcare providers to provide fair/balanced education on investigational products, understanding the evolving therapeutic landscape, and supporting research collaborations across the portfolio. 

Territory includes MA, ME, NH, RI, VT, Upstate NY, and W PA. Preference for candidates who live in Boston or Pittsburgh.

Roles and Responsibilities

MSL:

• Identifies, establishes, and maintains collaborative relationships with key investigators, institutions, groups and consortia in disease state areas of strategic focus for company.
• Provides education to the medical community on company’s investigational products and disease areas of focus.
• Increases company visibility and enhances professional interaction with current and future oncology leaders.
• Participates in medical education for healthcare professionals, including formulary (P&T) committees, through presentations at appropriate venues.
• Works with the appropriate departments/personnel at clinical sites to ensure required education and training are provided as needed.
• Identifies clinical research opportunities that are consistent with company objectives.
• Is the primary territory contact for the investigator-initiated research program, facilitating the process from concept submission through publication.
• Identifies and communicates key clinical and research insights from oncology leaders to help shape company research.
• Maintains a high level of clinical and scientific expertise through ongoing training and self-education, including attendance of relevant conferences, scientific workshops, and review of key publications.
• Gathers and disseminates competitive intelligence in a compliant manner.
• Takes advantage of opportunities to mentor other MSL team members, and actively contributes to cross-functional Medical Affairs team.
• Effectively executes administrative aspects of regional field activities.
• Substantively contributes to, and provides medical leadership for internal cross functional programs/projects.
• Provides responses to unsolicited requests for medical information, often in direct collaboration with Medical Information Services personnel.
• Completes accurate and timely reports, project plans, and required documentation requests.

Senior MSL:

• The senior MSL will have all the responsibilities of an MSL and will have also consistently demonstrated core competencies and will assume broader responsibilities, that may include one or more of the following.
• Substantively contributes to scientific publication planning, slide-deck development, training initiatives and the development/implementation of a Medical Strategy Plan.
• Leading national level priority projects or cross-functional initiatives on behalf of Medical Affairs
• Leading interactions for specific select priority projects with external collaborators or groups
• Mentoring or coaching responsibilities for other MSLs especially new hires
• Coordinating with MA Training for identifying or delivering advanced training initiatives

Experience, Education and Specialized Knowledge and Skills

MSL:

• Advanced Clinical/Science degree (MSN, PharmD, PhD) or professional credentials/ equivalent required with prior experience in the biotech/pharmaceutical industry, strongly preferred.
• Prior MSL or relevant experience is strongly preferred.

• Minimum of 3 years oncology experience, especially in gynecologic oncology, is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of applicable treatment, compliance, and regulatory guidelines.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and presentation skills.
• Strong problem solving, decision-making, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to think strategically and apply knowledge and analytical skills.
• Ability to summarize complex scientific information and present in a clear, concise, confident, and scientifically accurate and balanced manner to a range of audiences.
• Ability to network and partner with external customers, including medical thought leaders, academic institutions, research consortia, and practice networks.
• Thrives in a team environment and enjoys cross-functional collaboration; positively contributes to team culture.
• Possesses demonstrable effective leadership skills (by example and through accomplishments) and can step forward to handle challenges within scope of authority.
• Demonstrates deep therapeutic competency; stays abreast of trends and new information in the therapeutic/translational science area, as well as the profession at large.

Senior MSL:

• For Senior MSL must meet the qualifications for MSL with a minimum five (5) years in Pharmaceutical Industry Medical Affairs as MSL, candidates with solid tumor experience preferred.
• Ability to travel up to 65% of the time: As this is a customer-facing position, and the geographic territory expected to be covered is large, the candidate's availability for frequent travel is of paramount importance for professional and programmatic success.
• Knowledge of treatment guidelines (NCCN, ASCO, ESMO, etc.), clinical research processes, FDA regulations, CMS reimbursement coverage process, and OIG guidelines
• Knowledge or experience in ovarian cancer/gynecologic oncology is a plus
• Must have the ability to network and partner with important external customers, including medical thought leaders, academic institutions, large group practices, NCI Cooperative Group leadership and members, medical directors of medical groups or insurance carriers, as well as pharmacy directors.
• Must be highly articulate and self-confident during formal and informal presentations; able to convey complex, scientific ideas fluently to any audience.

Travel:

• Approximately 60-70% domestic travel is required.