Associate Director - Medical Science Liaison - Chicago Region at Eli Lilly and Company

At Lilly, we unite caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We are a global healthcare leader headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our employees around the world work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to our communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. We give our best effort to our work, and we put people first. We’re looking for people who are determined to make life better for people around the world.

Organization Overview:

At Lilly, we serve an extraordinary purpose. We make a difference for people around the globe by discovering, developing and delivering medicines that help them live longer, healthier, more active lives. Not only do we deliver breakthrough medications, but you also can count on us to develop creative solutions to support communities through philanthropy and volunteerism.

Scientific and Clinical Experts (SEs/CEs) are individuals who are noted for their expertise in a therapeutic area and as a result have special needs for in-depth and cutting-edge scientific information, because they treat patients, design and implement novel research, and educate colleagues and students.  The Medical Science Liaison (MSL) program is specifically designed to meet these needs through a field-based group of medical professionals with deep content knowledge about specific disease states, Lilly and competitive compounds and landscape in their respective therapeutic areas. MSLs recognize and communicate feedback and insights of strategic importance from their interactions with SEs and CEs, to better inform Lilly’s strategic direction for research, development, and commercialization.  By facilitating scientific exchange between industry and the scientific and clinical communities, MSLs shape the future of healthcare by providing the required information that addresses important clinical and scientific questions.   

Responsibilities:

This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the job requirements at the time it was prepared. The job requirements of any position may change over time and may include additional responsibilities not specifically described in the job description. Consult with your supervisor regarding your actual job responsibilities and any related duties that may be required for the position.

Scientific & clinical knowledge 

An MSL’s objective is to provide leading researchers and practitioners with the scientific and clinical knowledge that is most meaningfully and precisely addresses their needs (e.g., addressing clinical care gaps for their patients, clarifying nuanced clinical or research questions). This role requires efficient and precise synthesis of the latest research on products, disease states and standard of care for specific indications and therapeutic areas (TAs). Such a skillset and the underlying depth of expertise is typically acquired through substantial research experience or clinical training and requires continuous learning to maintain the highest level of technical expertise within a given TA. This continuous learning will enable the MSLs engagement in scientific exchange to respond to the diverse medical information needs based on customer requests. As a result, the MSL will establish themself as a reliable, trusted, resource of unbiased, accurate, up-to-date, medical and scientific information.  

Full spectrum SE/CE support

 Through the application of emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of HCP needs, MSLs will act as one of the primary interfaces between Lilly Medical and SEs/CEs to deliver a positive experience and utilize MSL capabilities to support HCPs in sharing evidence and addressing clinical care gaps for improved patient outcomes. Additionally, MSLs connect SEs/CEs with other Lilly resources or internal business partners as appropriate and facilitate collaborative research opportunities. MSLs partner with clinical development in support of studies and investigators to accelerate the pipeline and evidence generation by delivering disease state and other scientific information aligned with site identification, selection, and recruitment.

Field Execution, Geo Management and Productivity

MSLs effectively analyze customer data, plan, and prioritize to engage assigned SEs/CEs most effectively through a combination of face-to-face and virtual engagement with an enterprise mindset. They will implement a strategic territory plan prioritizing core MSL activities, leverage analytical and supporting tools to execute it, and assume personal accountability for meeting performance expectations. There is also an expectation for compliant partnerships across all Lilly field roles sharing customers to create an appropriately coordinated experience.  MSL will effectively utilize territory analytics for customer identification and routing prioritization. 

Strategic vision and leadership 

MSLs effectively synthesize and communicate actionable customer/clinical insights to internal Lilly Medical and cross functional teams.  MSLs use good judgement in decision-making and escalate issues as appropriate. They cultivate internal networks and collaborate effectively across functions including working closely with other field-based colleagues.  They embrace change, exercise strategic agility with evolving business needs and utilize innovative resources. 

MSLs should work collaboratively with peers and other Lilly colleagues.  Within their own team, MSLs are expected to contribute to team goals and be an effective teammate. The MSL will execute the role compliantly, adhering to all governing internal and external requirements, procedures, and laws, demonstrating good judgment. 

Basic Qualifications/Requirements:

Scientific / clinical acumen:

• Advanced degree in health sciences (e.g., PharmD, MD, PhD in a medically related field) required with 2-3 years of relevant clinical or TA experience desired. 

• Masters or bachelor's level degree in health sciences (e.g., BSN, RPh, PA, NP) considered if 5+ years clinical, research, or industry experience (medical or scientific role) in relevant therapeutic area.

• Qualified candidates must be legally authorized to be employed in the United States. Lilly does not anticipate providing sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B or TN status) for this employment position.

Location requirements:

• Applicants should live within the geography and near a transport hub (airport/train station). 

• Field-based position requires ability to travel up to 80% and including weekend commitments.

Additional Preferences:

• Neuroscience therapeutic experience is strongly preferred.

• Learning agility to comprehend and effectively communicate large amounts of complex scientific content in a clear and concise fashion. 

• Demonstrated experience in effective strategic and critical thinking to analyze, assess, and evaluate information and interpret impact or relevance to future states. 

• Interpersonal, presentation, planning, and digital skills:

• Advanced presentation and computer skills with expertise in literature identification, with a preference for experience in servicing customer needs for complex information.  

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.   

• Self-directed and able to work alone in the field effectively managing multiple priorities and projects.   

• Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills, including high emotional intelligence and the ability to engage in professional relationship building and networking. 

• Resiliency in managing complex challenges. 

• Intellectual curiosity about the field of science/medicine of specialization.

• Ability and excitement to leverage field-based tools, adapting as technology advances to increasingly support engagement planning, communication, and many aspects of the job.

• Experience in field-based working environment highly valued. 

• Familiarity with health systems, academic communities, medical research, and medical education process highly preferred

• Knowledge and experience of digital platforms enablers to engage HCP virtually (e.g., zoom) and excitement to leverage field based tools highly valued

Lilly is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to actively engage in the workforce, ensuring equal opportunities when vying for positions. If you require accommodation to submit a resume for a position at Lilly, please complete the accommodation request form (https://careers.lilly.com/us/en/workplace-accommodation) for further assistance. Please note this is for individuals to request an accommodation as part of the application process and any other correspondence will not receive a response.

Lilly is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.

Our employee resource groups (ERGs) offer strong support networks for their members and help our company develop talented individuals for future leadership roles. Our current groups include: Africa, Middle East, Central Asia Network, African American Network, Chinese Culture Network, Early Career Professionals, Japanese International Leadership Network (JILN), Lilly India Network, Organization of Latinos at Lilly, PRIDE (LGBTQ + Allies), Veterans Leadership Network, Women’s Network, Working and Living with Disabilities. Learn more about all of our groups.

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