Executive Director, Medical Affairs

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Executive Director, Medical Affairs will establish and lead Umoja Biopharma’s Medical Affairs function, serving as a strategic partner across Clinical Development, Regulatory, Commercial, and Executive Leadership.  

This role will be responsible for building the function from the ground up—developing medical strategy, external engagement models, evidence generation plans, and field medical capabilities. The Executive Director will ensure the organization is positioned to effectively communicate scientific and clinical value to healthcare professionals, investigators, and key stakeholders. 

As the first Medical Affairs hire, this leader will define the vision, infrastructure, and roadmap for Medical Affairs to support Umoja’s transition into clinical development and beyond. To start, this person will operate as an Individual Contributor.  

This position will ideally be based out of our Seattle, WA office and work onsite at least 2 days/week. This position may have the ability to be remote in the US based on candidate experience.  

CORE ACCOUNTABILITIES: 

Function Build & Strategy 

• Establish the Medical Affairs vision, strategy, and operating model aligned with Umoja’s clinical and corporate objectives
• Build and scale the Medical Affairs function, including infrastructure, processes, and team roadmap
• Serve as the internal subject matter expert and strategic thought partner on scientific communication and external engagement
• Develop the long-term Medical Affairs strategy in preparation for pivotal development and commercialization 

Scientific & Medical Leadership 

• Translate clinical and scientific data into impactful, compliant medical communications
• Lead development of medical plans, including publication strategy, congress planning, and scientific dissemination
• Ensure scientific integrity and consistency across all external and internal materials
• Provide medical insights to inform clinical development strategy and lifecycle planning 

External Engagement & KOL Strategy 

• Develop and lead a KOL engagement strategy, building trusted relationships with external experts, investigators, and key institutions
• Represent Umoja in scientific exchanges, advisory boards, and industry forums
• Build and oversee Field Medical (MSL) strategy and deployment as pipeline advances
• Collaborate with Clinical Development team on strategies to ensure efficient enrollment in Umoja clinical trials 

Evidence Generation & Insights 

• Shape evidence generation strategies, including real-world evidence and investigator-sponsored studies (ISS) as appropriate
• Capture and synthesize insights from the external medical community to inform internal decision-making
• Partner with Clinical Development and Translational teams to ensure alignment of data generation with medical needs 

Cross-Functional Leadership 

• Partner closely with Clinical Development, Regulatory Affairs, Commercial, and Market Access to ensure aligned strategy
• Support regulatory and clinical milestones with medical input and stakeholder engagement plans
• Provide medical leadership to cross-functional governance forums and executive discussions 

Compliance & Governance 

• Establish compliant medical affairs policies, SOPs, and review processes
• Ensure all activities adhere to regulatory requirements and industry standards
• Serve as a steward of ethical and scientific integrity in all engagements 

The successful candidate will have: 

• Advanced degree required (MD, PharmD, or PhD) with at least 15+ years of industry experience, with significant experience in Medical Affairs leadership roles 
• Proven track record of building or scaling Medical Affairs functions, ideally including emerging or clinical-stage biotech environments  
• Strong strategic thinking with the ability to translate vision into execution  
• Deep understanding of Medical Affairs best practices, including KOL engagement, publications, and field medical models  
• Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and executive leadership  
• Experience in oncology required 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience supporting early- to mid-stage clinical development programs preferred; launch experience is a plus
• Experience in cell and gene therapy or in autoimmune disease is a plus 

Physical Requirements:  

• The ideal candidate will be able to work onsite based out of our Seattle, WA office at least 2 days/week. There may be the ability to work remotely within the US and travel to Seattle, WA at least 5 days/month. 
• Ability to travel domestically and, if applicable, internationally (typically up to 30–50%, depending on role), including air travel and extended periods away from home
• Ability to attend and actively participate in external meetings, including medical congresses, investigator meetings, and advisory boards, which may require extended hours and mobility within large venues
• Ability to drive or access reliable transportation for field-based engagements  
• Ability to navigate healthcare institutions and clinical environments
• Ability to sit for prolonged periods of time 

Salary Range: $260,000 - $385,000