Medical Solutions Lead, Sr. Medical Science Liaison - West Coast

Company Description

Deciphera Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on improving the lives of cancer patients by tackling key mechanisms of drug resistance that limit the rate and/or durability of response to existing cancer therapies. Our small molecule drug candidates are directed against an important family of enzymes called kinases, known to be directly involved in the growth and spread of many cancers. We use our deep understanding of kinase biology together with a proprietary chemistry library to purposefully design compounds that maintain kinases in a “switched off” or inactivated conformation. These investigational therapies comprise tumor-targeted agents designed to address therapeutic resistance causing mutations and immuno-targeted agents designed to control the activation of immunokinases that suppress critical immune system regulators, such as macrophages. We have used our platform to develop a diverse pipeline of tumor-targeted and immuno-targeted drug candidates designed to improve outcomes for patients with cancer by improving the quality, rate and/or durability of their responses to treatment.

We offer an outstanding culture and opportunity for personal and professional growth based on these key principles:

• providing a collaborative, energized and fun work environment where people are empowered and supported in the achievement of their career goals
• a diverse and multi-disciplinary workforce
• dedicated and talented people who are passionate about achieving excellence in all they do
• a work environment that allows you to balance your priorities
• above all else, a commitment to the patients we serve

Job Description

We are seeking a senior level, experienced Medical Science Liaison (MSL), field-based scientific/clinical expert that will report to the Senior Director, MSLs within the Medical Affairs (MA) department. The MSL is a highly trained professional with strong clinical and/or scientific backgrounds who must have excellent communication skills. The MSL is responsible for identifying, developing, and managing relationships with current and future Healthcare Providers (HCPs) in academic and community practices, in both a face to face and virtual setting.

This position is a remote, field-based position with in-person travel required across assigned region, as well as virtual engagement with customers across the US.

Key Responsibilities:

• Exchange complex medical & scientific information with the oncology community.
• Develop valued and productive scientific relationships with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) and other disease experts.
• Provide medical/scientific presentations to internal & external groups.
• Provide internal Medical stakeholders with feedback and insights from interactions and discussions with HCPs. Deciphera prefers the majority of HCP interactions take place face-to-face with some virtual interaction component as well.
• Assist with awareness of company-sponsored clinical trials and investigator-initiated trials (ISTs).
• Provide support at professional meetings, including staffing exhibits, collecting competitive intelligence, and developing tools that support the function.
• Adhere to corporate and healthcare compliance guidance in all activities, including those related to clinical trials, scientific interactions with internal and external groups, and responses to unsolicited requests for medical/scientific information.
• Maintain clinical, scientific, and technical expertise in specific therapeutic areas; review scientific journals, attend scientific and key technical meetings.
• Represent the company and Medical Affairs during exchanges with the medical/scientific community.
• Establish and maintain ongoing long-term collaborative peer-to-peer relationships with Oncologists, and other relevant HCPs within their assigned territory.
• Respond to and document unsolicited requests for scientific information for Deciphera’s programs and other products, including those in development.
• Engage with assigned Medical Groups to support their scientific and research needs as consistent with Deciphera’s Medical Affairs strategy.
• Collaborate with publication planning to support development of publications and communications.
• Facilitate investigator interactions with Medical Directors and other internal stakeholders.
• Provide clinical input and training to internal functions within regulatory guidelines.
• Provide support for content development and delivery of clinical presentations at Advisory Boards.

In addition to the MSL responsibilities outlined above, this expanded role, who will serve as Medical Solutions Lead, will also have additional responsibilities, as designated and assigned by the Sr. Director, MSLs, which may include:

• Lead, in collaboration with the Scientific Directors, the creation of scientific materials for field medical use (proactive and reactive slide decks and other appropriate collaterals for use in scientific exchange)
• Contribute to the execution of congress strategy including assisting with content development for medical booth, non-promotional symposiums, KOL engagement plan.
• Assist with the development and delivery of training materials and programs in collaboration with the DCPH training department and MA leadership to ensure MSLs have appropriate levels of expertise in disease states and with relevant products.
• Assist with curriculum development, onboarding, and continual training of the MSLs, as well as complete field observations/assessments. 
• Aid in the development and execution of top-quality education strategies and activities to provide disease state, mechanism of action, product, and MSL best practices training for the MSL team.
• Development of MSL-focused slide decks and training modules with assessments on disease state, therapeutic landscape, competitive intelligence, DCPH asset specific data, etc.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in an appropriate, job-related discipline is required; PharmD, PhD, MD, RN/NP, or PA-C is highly preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in oncological malignancies or a rare disease therapeutic area, preferred.
• 5+ years of experience as a field based MSL, with additional MA experience, preferably as MSL trainer, Senior MSL, Medical Communications/Collateral generation, preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in industry (e.g., biotech/pharmaceutical/medical device company, Contract Research Organization), academic research, or public health preferred. Clinical experience would be considered in lieu of industry experience.
• Experience with clinical research, publication activities, congress/conference and presenting scientific data.
• Experience creating MSL training materials as well as coaching and training field based MSL teams is a plus.
• Strong experience with PowerPoint, Word, and Excel; must be able to create and edit content with minimal assistance and an eye for accuracy and detail.
• Experience with Veeva CRM (or other CRM) and Veeva Vault, as well as SharePoint and/or BOX is preferred.
• Training and/or knowledge of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and global regulations
• Ability to effectively build relationships and work with KOLs. Significant face to face interactions will be required.
• Think strategically; apply knowledge and analytical skills in a highly regulated environment; and align medical and commercial strategies.
• Ability to summarize complex information and present in a clear, concise, and scientifically accurate manner to a range of audiences.
• Knowledge of ICH guidelines, FDA Drug Regulations with respect to DDMAC, PhRMA Principles on Conduct of Clinical Trials and Communication of Clinical Trial Results, and OIG Compliance Program Guidance for Pharmaceutical Manufacturers.
• Excellent communication skills
• Strong problem solving, decision-making, influencing, and negotiation skills.
• While there is a virtual component of this position, must be able to travel up to 60% (including some weekends and overnight); monthly travel to Waltham HQ is expected.
• Must live within assigned region.

Additional Information

What Deciphera will Bring:

Deciphera offers competitive compensation, including equity-based compensation, and a comprehensive benefits package that includes the following:

• Non-accrual paid time off
• Summer vacation bonus
• Global, company-wide summer and winter shutdowns
• An annual lifestyle allowance
• Monthly cell phone stipend
• Internal rewards and recognition program
• Munch and learns
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Life and Supplemental life insurance for family 
• ESPP offering
• Health savings account
• Flexible spending account for either health care and/or dependent care.

Deciphera (NASDAQ: DCPH) is a publicly traded company headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts. Our state-of-the-art research facility is located in Lawrence, Kansas and our European operations are run out of Switzerland.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY INFORMATION

Deciphera is committed to equal employment opportunity and values diversity. To ensure that we comply with reporting requirements and to learn more about how we can increase diversity in our candidate pool, we invite you to voluntarily provide demographic information in a confidential survey at the end of this application. Providing this information is optional. It will not be accessible or used in the hiring process, and has no effect on your opportunity for employment. This information will also be treated confidentially.  Our commitment to increasing diversity in our candidate pool does not affect our commitment to equal employment opportunity, including our ongoing commitment to make all hiring and other employment decisions solely on a nondiscriminatory basis.