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Director, Field Medical, Rheumatology - East

Takeda · IL · Remote available · $192,400–$302,390 a year · Full time

Posted Aug 26, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about the best MSL you've managed or worked beside. What did they do that others didn't?

What they are checking: Whether they have a clear picture of excellent field medical work that they can hire and coach toward.

Tell me about a time you hired someone who didn't work out. What did you learn about how you hire?

What they are checking: Whether they reflect honestly on their own judgment, since building the team is a core part of this role.

Describe how you hold MSLs accountable for goals and competencies without micromanaging people who are highly trained and remote.

What they are checking: Whether they can manage a field team with clear expectations while respecting the independence experienced MSLs expect.

What would you do

One of your MSLs has strong scientific knowledge but low engagement numbers and few KOL relationships. How do you coach them?

What they are checking: Whether they can separate skill from effort and build a specific plan rather than just pointing to the metrics.

A sales colleague asks one of your MSLs to set up a meeting with a top prescriber to talk about a product's advantages. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they will protect the independence of field medical while keeping a good working relationship with commercial.

Two KOLs in your region disagree publicly about where a new treatment fits in rheumatology care. How do you guide your team to engage both?

What they are checking: Whether they can keep the team balanced and credible with experts who hold opposing views.

An HCP asks your MSL about using a product for something that isn't in the label. How should your MSL handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they know the rules for responding to unsolicited off-label questions and can train the team on them.

About the work

How do you turn the US Medical plan for rheumatology into territory-level priorities for each MSL on an East team?

What they are checking: Whether they can connect national strategy to which experts and institutions each MSL should actually spend time with.

How do you keep MSL conversations with HCPs scientific and non-promotional, especially when field sales is working the same accounts?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the compliance line between medical and commercial teams and can hold their team to it.

What insights from the field are actually useful to medical strategy, and how do you get your MSLs to bring back more of them?

What they are checking: Whether they know how to turn field conversations into insights that shape medical plans rather than just activity reports.

How would you measure whether your MSL team is having a real scientific impact, beyond counting meetings?

What they are checking: Whether they think beyond activity metrics to the quality and value of engagement with experts and institutions.

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The full job description

As published by Takeda.

By clicking the “Apply” button, I understand that my employment application process with Takeda will commence and that the information I provide in my application will be processed in line with Takeda’s Privacy Notice and Terms of Use . I further attest that all information I submit in my employment application is true to the best of my knowledge. Job Description About the role: Join Takeda as a Director, Field Medical – Rheumatology, East where you will lead, manage, and coach a team of Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) to drive external scientific engagement with key opinion leaders (KOLs), healthcare providers (HCPs), and healthcare entities in alignment with Takeda US Medical’s strategic priorities. You will also provide leadership, guidance, and oversight to an MSL team, ensuring effective engagement and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. As part of the US Medical team, you will report to the Senior Director, Field Medical. How you will contribute: • Lead, manage, mentor, and coach a team of MSLs, maximizing team performance and aligning team activities to US Medical strategic priorities. Ensure scientific and operational excellence of team through hiring, training, and execution of the medical plan. • Clearly communicate and hold MSLs accountable for meeting performance expectations (e.g., goal achievement, competencies proficiency, territory plan creation and execution, insights reporting, completion of training and administrative duties, congress participation, etc.). • In alignment with medical strategy, develop and implement annual team tactical plan after gaining required internal approvals. • Conduct observations of MSL external scientific engagement (in-person and virtual) and perform documentation monitoring. • Maintain proficiency in using Takeda systems to support coaching for employee performance. • Develop and execute plan for MSL participation in professional meetings (i.e., congresses). • Foster a collaborative and high-performing MSL team culture where people feel valued, knowledge is freely shared, and continuous learning and development is a priority. • Ensure each employee has an individual development plan and support opportunities for employee learning, growth, and development. • Create MSL team reports (performance and KOL/HCP insights) to internally communicate team progress on execution of team tactical plan and advise US Medical decision-making, strategies, and tactics. • Build and maintain relationships with US Medical Unit and cross-functional partners (e.g., Clinical Development/Operations, Global Medical, Commercial leadership, etc.), as appropriate to support development and execution of team tactical plan. • Participate in US Medical Unit and appropriate internal cross-functional meetings. • Develop and maintain scientific expertise in the therapeutic area, including Takeda’s marketed products and investigational compounds, and provide scientific training and guidance to the MSL team, ensuring accurate and up-to-date scientific information is communicated. • Provide guidance and training to MSL team on compliance and ethical considerations and ensure team adherence to all relevant policies, SOPs, regulations, guidance, and ethical standards. • Oversee team annual budget cycle and ensure team expenditures are kept within budget and aligned to policies and SOPs. • Engage in scientific discussions with KOLs, HCPs, and internal stakeholders as needed and document according to SOPs and guidance. Minimum Requirements/Qualifications: • Doctoral degree in life/health sciences is preferred (PharmD, MD, PhD, or equivalent). Master’s degree in health sciences (e.g., MSN, NP, or PA) is the minimum requirement. • Thorough understanding of and experience working in the pharmaceutical industry and Medical Affairs. • Proven record of strategic leadership, teamwork, innovation, project management and demonstrated ability to manage, lead and mentor individuals and teams. • Extensive previous experience as an MSL or a similar scientific role. • Excellent communication (written and verbal), organization, and collaboration skills. • Strong foundation in use of digital tools and technologies to drive innovation, enhance productivity, and improve efficiency. Comfort with emerging technologies and digital tools and openness to AI-enabled processes. • Demonstrated understanding of compliance, ethical, legal, and regulatory guidelines impacting the pharmaceutical industry. • Experience managing individuals and teams with an advanced scientific degree in a field-based group in the pharmaceutical industry. • Previous experience and in-depth knowledge of the therapeutic area, including relevant scientific and clinical data. • Must be 18 years of age or older with valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record • Able to travel 40-60% of the time, including ability to travel overnight and occasionally on weekends. Must live in the East Region. • Must have authorization and ability to drive a company leased vehicle or rental More about us: At Takeda, we are transforming patient care through the development of novel specialty pharmaceuticals and best in class patient support programs. Takeda is a patient-focused company that will inspire and empower you to grow through life-changing work. Certified as a Global Top Employer, Takeda offers stimulating careers, encourages innovation, and strives for excellence in everything we do. We foster an inclusive, collaborative workplace, in which our teams are united by an unwavering commitment to deliver Better Health and a Brighter Future to people around the world. Takeda Compensation and Benefits Summary We understand compensation is an important factor as you consider the next step in your career. We are committed to equitable pay for all employees, and we strive to be more transparent with our pay practices. For Location: Florida - Virtual U.S. Base Salary Range: $192,400.00 - $302,390.00 The estimated salary range reflects an anticipated range for this position. The actual base salary offered may depend on a variety of factors, including the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job. The actual base salary offered will be in accordance with state or local minimum wage requirements for the job location. For information about our benefits, please click here . EEO Statement Takeda is proud in its commitment to creating a diverse workforce and providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, national origin, age, disability, citizenship status, genetic information or characteristics, marital status, status as a Vietnam era veteran, special disabled veteran, or other protected veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws, and any other characteristic protected by law. Locations Florida - VirtualArizona - Virtual, Illinois - Virtual, Michigan - Virtual, Texas - Virtual Worker Type Employee Worker Sub-Type Regular Time Type Full time Job Exempt Yes

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