Senior Director, Field Medical

Role Summary

The Senior Director, Field Medical will serve as the architect and operational leader of Lyell’s inaugural U.S. Field Medical function. Reporting directly to the SVP, Medical Affairs, this leader will be responsible for designing the infrastructure, governance, and strategic direction of the field team. This role requires a "builder" mindset to establish foundational systems (CRM, SOPs, KPIs) and recruit a high-performing team of Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs). The Senior Director will ensure the field team effectively supports the pivotal PiNACLE studies in lymphoma, the LYL273 program in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), and future solid tumor pipeline assets.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Infrastructure Build
  • Lead the design and implementation of the U.S. Field Medical strategy, ensuring alignment with corporate, clinical, and Medical Affairs objectives.
  • Partner closely with the SVP, Medical Affairs, VP, Medical Affairs, and Senior Director, Medical Affairs (Solid Tumors) to translate medical strategy into actionable field tactical plans.
  • Establish the operational infrastructure for the field team, including the selection and implementation of CRM systems, insight reporting platforms, and territory mapping.
  • Define Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and metrics to measure the quality and impact of scientific exchange, ensuring the team is prepared for future commercial launches.
• Team Leadership & Execution
  • Recruit, coach, and lead a team of highly experienced Principal MSLs, fostering a culture of integrity, collaboration, innovation, and patient focus.
  • Direct resource planning and budget oversight for the Field Medical function.
  • Develop field engagement strategy for clinical trial sites to accelerate enrollment in pivotal studies and to escalate insights to the study team and broader organization.
  • Develop field communication materials and resources in collaboration with the VP, Medical Affairs and the Senior Director, Medical Affairs (Solid Tumors).
  • Provide scientific training and guidance to field medical team to ensure consistent and accurate use scientific themes across the hematology and solid tumor portfolio.
• External Engagement & Insight Generation
  • Build and maintain strong professional relationships with National Opinion Leaders (NOLs), investigators, and CAR-T treatment centers in oncology/hematology.
  • Represent Lyell at scientific congresses (e.g., ASH, ASCO, ESMO, EHA) to facilitate scientific exchange, capture competitive insights, and support on-site activities.
  • Gather and synthesize external insights from the field, including via advisory boards, to shape Medical Affairs initiatives and support clinical development priorities.
• Compliance & Governance
  • Ensure Field Medical activities comply with legal, regulatory, and corporate standards, including OIG guidelines and PhRMA codes.
  • Author and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for scientific exchange and field interactions.
  • Contribute to the development of governance frameworks as a senior member of the Medical Affairs leadership team.

Qualifications

• Required: MD, DO, PharmD, or PhD; Oncology/hematology specialty; strong background in cell therapy (CAR T) or solid tumors preferred.
• Required: Minimum 8-10 years in pharmaceutical/biotech; at least 5 years in Medical Affairs; significant field medical leadership experience.
• Required: Demonstrated ability to build and scale Field Medical functions in a high-growth environment; launch experience preferred.
• Required: Extensive oncology experience; prior cell therapy, immuno-oncology, or hematologic malignancies experience desirable.
• Required: Strong knowledge of U.S. compliance and regulatory requirements for Medical Affairs and field interactions.
• Required: Prior experience managing direct reports and accountability for internal and external deliverables.
• Skills: Proven scientific expertise in oncology/hematology; strategic acumen; project management; excellent oral, written, and presentation skills; ability to engage diverse audiences; cross-functional collaboration; ability to apply external insights to strategy; mentoring and people leadership.

Education

• MD, DO, PharmD, or PhD required.
• Oncology/hematology specialty required; background in cell therapy (CAR T) or solid tumors strongly preferred.

Skills

• Proven scientific expertise in oncology/hematology
• Strategic planning and multi-project leadership (CRM implementation, team deployment)
• Project management and organizational skills
• Strong oral, written, and presentation abilities
• Ability to influence senior cross-functional stakeholders
• Experience applying external insights to Medical Affairs strategy
• Mentoring and developing high-performing teams