Associate Director, Thought Leader Liaison, EMPAVELI
Apellis Pharmaceuticals
August 31, 2026
On-site
United States
Medical Affairs
Roles And Responsibilities:
- Create and manage commercial engagement plans for leading U.S. KOLs, including engagement objectives, success metrics, prioritization, and cross-functional execution.
- Establish, deepen, and strategically leverage national relationships with U.S. KOLs; lead high-impact engagements with the EMPAVELI Commercial Team and executive stakeholders throughout the year and at key congresses.
- Partner with KOLs and treating physicians to identify, refine, and scale peer-to-peer program offerings aligned to customer needs and commercial priorities.
- Maintain the promotional speaker bureau: identify/recruit speakers, guide speaker readiness on approved promotional slide decks, partner on annual speaker training, and ensure completion of annual compliance training.
- Partner with HCP Marketing on commercial HCP advisory boards (advisor identification, objectives, agenda input, and insight synthesis).
- Shape content strategy for peer-to-peer engagements (senior-level input on speaker programs, congress symposia, and related HCP opportunities).
- Drive cross-functional relationships with Medical Affairs and field teams to align priorities, clarify accountabilities, and advance national KOL engagement objectives.
Education/Qualifications:
- BS/BA required; advanced degree preferred.
- 8+ years progressive biotech/pharma experience leading complex commercial initiatives or external stakeholder engagement.
- Hematology/Oncology preferred; rare diseases a plus.
Skills/Abilities:
- Build credible relationships with physicians/KOLs/HCPs.
- Enterprise growth mindset; challenge legacy approaches and adapt compliantly.
- Develop action plans, build coalitions, solve rapidly; alternative strategies in ambiguity.
- Integrity and understanding of relevant rules/regulations.
- Lead cross-functional teams and manage execution.
- Executive communication and stakeholder influence.
- Manage budgets for KOL engagement, speaker programs, advisory boards.
- Ability to navigate fast-paced, data/results-driven environments.
- Travel 50–75% (including some weekends).
Benefits (explicitly stated):
- 401(k) with company match, inclusive family building benefits, flexible time off, summer/winter shutdowns, paid family leave, disability and life insurance.
- Create and manage commercial engagement plans for leading U.S. KOLs, including engagement objectives, success metrics, prioritization, and cross-functional execution.
- Establish, deepen, and strategically leverage national relationships with U.S. KOLs; lead high-impact engagements with the EMPAVELI Commercial Team and executive stakeholders throughout the year and at key congresses.
- Partner with KOLs and treating physicians to identify, refine, and scale peer-to-peer program offerings aligned to customer needs and commercial priorities.
- Maintain the promotional speaker bureau: identify/recruit speakers, guide speaker readiness on approved promotional slide decks, partner on annual speaker training, and ensure completion of annual compliance training.
- Partner with HCP Marketing on commercial HCP advisory boards (advisor identification, objectives, agenda input, and insight synthesis).
- Shape content strategy for peer-to-peer engagements (senior-level input on speaker programs, congress symposia, and related HCP opportunities).
- Drive cross-functional relationships with Medical Affairs and field teams to align priorities, clarify accountabilities, and advance national KOL engagement objectives.
Education/Qualifications:
- BS/BA required; advanced degree preferred.
- 8+ years progressive biotech/pharma experience leading complex commercial initiatives or external stakeholder engagement.
- Hematology/Oncology preferred; rare diseases a plus.
Skills/Abilities:
- Build credible relationships with physicians/KOLs/HCPs.
- Enterprise growth mindset; challenge legacy approaches and adapt compliantly.
- Develop action plans, build coalitions, solve rapidly; alternative strategies in ambiguity.
- Integrity and understanding of relevant rules/regulations.
- Lead cross-functional teams and manage execution.
- Executive communication and stakeholder influence.
- Manage budgets for KOL engagement, speaker programs, advisory boards.
- Ability to navigate fast-paced, data/results-driven environments.
- Travel 50–75% (including some weekends).
Benefits (explicitly stated):
- 401(k) with company match, inclusive family building benefits, flexible time off, summer/winter shutdowns, paid family leave, disability and life insurance.