Field Medical Director, Specialty Rare - Northeast

Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, and with offices in Boston, Massachusetts, and Dublin, Ireland, Ionis has been at work for more than three decades discovering medical breakthroughs that have redefined life for people with serious diseases. We’re pioneers in RNA-targeted medicines, and our platform continues to revolutionize drug discovery and transform lives for patients with unmet needs.  With multiple marketed medicines and a leading pipeline in neurology, cardiology and select areas of high patient needs, we continue to drive innovation in RNA therapies in addition to advancing new approaches in gene editing to provide greater value to patients and are well positioned financially to deliver on our strategic goals.

At Ionis, we pride ourselves on cultivating a challenging, motivating and rewarding environment that fosters innovation and scientific excellence. We know that our success is a direct result of the exceptional talents and dedication of our employees. 

With an unprecedented opportunity to change the course of human health, we look to add diverse individuals, skill sets and perspectives to our exceptional team. We continue to invest time, money and energy into making our onsite, hybrid and remote work environments a place where solid and lasting relationships are built and where our culture and employees can thrive. 

We’re building on our rich history, and we believe our greatest achievements are ahead of us. If you’re passionate about the opportunity to have meaningful impact on patients in need, we invite you to apply and join us. Experience and contribute to our unique culture while you develop and expand your career!

FIELD MEDICAL DIRECTOR, SPECIALITY RARE – NORTHEAST

SUMMARY: 

The Field Medical Director (FMD) serves as a field-based medical expert and strategic advisor for Ionis’ Specialty Rare portfolio in the Northeast region. In this individual contributor Director role, the FMD is responsible for building and leading high-value peer-to-peer relationships with national, regional, and local medical experts, with a primary focus on Allergy/Immunology and other relevant specialties. The FMD shapes and advances medical strategy through scientific exchange, external insight generation, and cross-functional leadership that influences evidence generation, medical communications, clinical development, and broader Medical Affairs priorities.

This role requires an established expert who can operate with a high degree of independence, translate complex field insights into actionable strategy, and represent Ionis credibly with external stakeholders. The FMD is expected to influence longer-term medical objectives, contribute to critical decisions that affect program success, and serve as a trusted thought partner to internal leaders and external experts in hereditary angioedema and related rare disease areas.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve as the medical expert and strategic field lead for assigned disease-state and product-related priorities within Specialty Rare.
• Build, maintain, and expand long-term, credible peer-to-peer relationships with national, regional, and local key opinion leaders, investigators, and other scientific leaders.
• Develop and execute an independent field medical plan aligned to Ionis Medical Affairs strategy, with clear priorities across scientific engagement, insight generation, evidence support, and investigator development.
• Generate, synthesize, and communicate high-value field insights, research gaps, and emerging clinical trends that shape medical strategy, evidence generation plans, and medical communications.
• Act as a trusted advisor to internal stakeholders by translating external perspectives into actionable recommendations for Medical Affairs, Clinical Development, Clinical Operations, Scientific Communications, and other cross-functional partners.
• Lead scientific exchange with healthcare professionals and researchers on complex data, disease-state topics, clinical development programs, and the evolving scientific platform in hereditary angioedema and related rare diseases.
• Identify and help advance strategic opportunities to strengthen investigator relationships, support trial recruitment and retention, and improve site engagement for Ionis-sponsored studies.
• Represent Ionis Medical Affairs at major scientific congresses, advisory boards, investigator meetings, and other external engagements, and distill information of strategic significance for internal leadership.
• Play a lead role in selected cross-functional projects and Medical Affairs initiatives, using deep expertise and judgment to drive outcomes that have impact beyond the immediate territory.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and scientific guidance to field medical colleagues and contribute to the development of best practices, field tools, and team capability.
• Appropriately support investigator-initiated research and medical education activities consistent with Ionis policies and Medical Affairs objectives.
• Strengthen formal networks with external experts and internal decision-makers to advance Ionis’ scientific leadership and support longer-term program success.
• Operate as a visible ambassador for Ionis’ science, culture, and commitment to patients while maintaining the non-promotional role of Field Medical Affairs.

COMPETENCIES IDENTIFIED FOR SUCCESS:

• Deep scientific and clinical expertise in rare diseases, with strong command of Allergy/Immunology and related disciplines.
• Ability to serve as a credible expert and thought partner with internal leaders and external medical stakeholders.
• Strong strategic thinking, judgment, and ability to translate ambiguous or complex field information into clear recommendations and action.
• Demonstrated ability to influence across functions and work effectively with senior stakeholders on significant issues.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to explain complex scientific concepts clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
• Strong executive presence, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotional intelligence.
• High level of independence, accountability, and organizational effectiveness in a field-based environment.
• Strong understanding of compliance standards and policies governing the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry.
• Ability to mentor others, elevate team capability, and contribute to broader Medical Affairs effectiveness.

REQUIREMENTS: 

• MD, PhD, PharmD, DO, or equivalent advanced scientific or clinical degree required.
• Minimum 7+ years of relevant pharmaceutical or biotechnology experience, including substantial field-based medical affairs experience.
• Significant experience in rare disease strongly preferred, including expertise in Allergy/Immunology and/or hereditary angioedema.
• Demonstrated track record of leading high-impact scientific engagement, generating actionable insights, and influencing medical strategy across functions.
• Proven ability to operate as a recognized expert with a high degree of autonomy and sound judgment.
• Strong working knowledge of clinical research, scientific exchange, medical education, and investigator engagement.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to travel locally, regionally, and nationally up to 75%.

Please visit our website, http://www.ionis.com for more information about Ionis and to apply for this position; reference requisition # IONIS004050.

Ionis offers an excellent benefits package! Follow this link for more details: Ionis Benefits

Full Benefits Link: https://ionis.com/careers#:~:text=Highly%20competitive%20benefits

The pay scale for this position is $230,000 to $244,000

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. PRINCIPALS ONLY.

Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and all its subsidiaries are proud to be EEO employers.