Job Description
Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals is a commercial‑stage biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing novel therapies for diseases with unmet need, with a focus on cardiovascular indications. With deep expertise in immunology and inflammation, Kiniksa is advancing a growing portfolio of approved and investigational medicines, anchored by its lead product, ARCALYST®, the first and only FDA‑approved therapy for recurrent pericarditis. Grounded in rigorous science and bold innovation, the company fosters a highly collaborative, patient‑first culture led by accomplished life sciences leaders. At Kiniksa, talented individuals are trusted and empowered to make a real impact—shaping the future of medicine while improving the lives of patients who need it most.
Reporting to the Senior Director, Field Medical Affairs the Senior Medical Science Liaison/Medical Science Liaison (Sr. MSL/MSL) is responsible for developing and maintaining professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders to provide rigorous medical and scientific support of Kiniksa Pharmaceutical’s clinical development and pipeline programs. The Sr. MSL/MSL is a field-based position of Medical Affairs that serves as a medical expert to establish long-term relationships and rapport with the medical and scientific community within a specific geography. The incumbent is responsible for collaborating with an internal multidisciplinary team to increase the ability to execute Kiniksa’s development program strategies and tactics to meet or exceed internal timelines. The Sr. MSL/MSL adheres to the company’s (and applicable regulatory) guidelines, policies, and procedures.
Territory: WEST- (CA, AZ, NM, TX, NV, UT, CO, OR, ID, WY, WA, MT)
Responsibilities (including, but not limited to):
- Develops and executes a territory strategic and tactical plan aligned with Kiniksa’s medical and scientific needs
- Identify, cultivate, and maintain quality relationships with key Thought Leaders and stakeholders nationally and regionally to increase scientific and clinical knowledge of products to maximize MSL team impact and to drive disease awareness, and, if applicable, product acceptance
- Support commercial and headquarter integration with targeted thought leaders by facilitating collaboration aligned with Kiniksa’s mission, strategy and objectives through one-on-one interactions, small group discussions, and presentations
- Drives ongoing clinical trial execution at study sites in collaboration with Clinical Research and Development, Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs and Program Management including, but not limited to, site identification, evaluation and training, recruitment, and participation at Investigator’s Meetings
- Documents and communicates medical insights from the field to internal stakeholders on a continuous basis
- Establishes role as a reliable, trusted, resource of accurate, up-to-date, medical, and scientific knowledge
- Builds and maintains technical and clinical expertise across therapeutic areas to enable deep scientific discourse externally. This includes a focus on continuous coordination and collaboration with Kiniksa’s research and development team
- Serves as a primary scientific resource for staffing at scientific congress, discussions at advisory boards and training of internal colleagues
- Partner cross-functionally with other key members of the Kiniksa team to optimize product strategy alignment and provide medical input to interdepartmental projects as well as clinical education to internal teams when necessary
- Plan and attend select national and regional scientific meetings in the cardiology and rheumatology space as well as prepare a summary of key findings from these meetings Responsible for accurate (internally approved) and timely responses to unsolicited requests for medical information in the field from healthcare professionals
- Complies with applicable internal and external guidelines, policies, and procedures
- Maintains annual expenses within assigned budget parameters
- Documents field activities accurately and in a timely fashion
Qualifications:
- MD, PharmD, PhD, DO, NP, PA, MS-CGC or other advanced scientific degree plus 3+ years relevant industry, field medical or clinical experience required (preferably inclusive of 1- 3+ years MSL experience)
- Must possess excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively communicate scientific and medical information to diverse audiences
- Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with Thought Leaders/Subject Matter Experts and other healthcare professionals
- Must exhibit a strong background in collaborating with internal and external stakeholders
- Strong commitment to compliance and ethical standards
- Must exhibit characteristics that exemplify drive, passion and focus that will translate into significant contributions towards building a global generational company
- Must show the ability to multi-task and change course quickly
- Ability to travel up to 75% of the time (primarily in the assigned territory) including weekends and overnights as needed
Qualifications (preferred):
- Clinical and/or therapeutic experience in Cardiology, Rheumatology or Immunology is strongly preferred
- Experience with biologic immunotherapies
- Experience in rare diseases and orphan drug launches
Geographic Need:
It is strongly preferred that the candidate currently live within the following geographical location preferably in California or Texas.
West: California, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming, Washington and Montana
Compensation decisions are based on objective criteria including role responsibilities, experience/qualifications, internal equity, geographic location, and external market benchmarks.
Kiniksa is an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider you without regard to your race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, age, genetics, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status, or any other legally protected category. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
Kiniksa does not accept unsolicited resumes from staffing agencies or search firms. Any resumes submitted without a signed agreement will be considered property of Kiniksa, and no fees will be paid.