Job Overview

The Medical Director is a therapeutic and disease area expert who serves as a key external medical and scientific resource for healthcare providers (HCPs), investigators, healthcare plans, hospital formulary, and key opinion leaders (KOLs). This role focuses on building trusted relationships, engaging in peer-to-peer scientific exchange, and ensuring timely, accurate, and balanced communication of medical information in key customer audiences including HCPs, healthcare plan and hospital decision-makers, and patient advocacy groups as appropriate. In addition, the Medical Director supports clinical research, internal training, publications, and cross-functional initiatives to advance the company’s medical affairs strategy and objectives.

Primary Responsibilities

• External Engagement & Scientific Exchange
  • Act as a primary point of contact for KOLs, investigators, and HCPs in relevant disease states with a focus on rheumatology and nephrology communities.
  • Develop and maintain strong professional relationships with national and regional experts.
  • Conduct peer-to-peer scientific discussions to provide education on disease state and product data.
  • Respond to unsolicited requests for medical information in a timely and compliant manner.
  • Identify and engage KOLs and HCPs for scientific input and collaboration opportunities.
  • Attend and represent the company at key scientific and medical congresses to stay current with evolving practice and gather external insights.
  • Support customer-facing teams (e.g., Marketing, Market Access, Sales, Patient Services, etc.) while ensuring medical accuracy and compliance.

• Medical Strategy & Planning
  • Support the rheumatology components of the Medical Plan, including medical strategy, evidence generation, and tactical execution.
  • Provide medical/scientific input to internal teams, helping shape strategy based on external insights and emerging treatment trends in lupus nephritis.
  • Review investigator-initiated and company-sponsored studies for scientific merit and strategic alignment.

• Content & Publications
  • Support the development of external engagement materials, training resources, and Field Medical tools aligned with the Medical Plan.
  • Contribute to publication planning and execution, including abstracts, posters, and manuscripts.
  • Ensure scientific accuracy, balance, and compliance across all communication materials.

• Internal Support & Training
  • Deliver education and updates to internal stakeholders on evolving clinical practice, data, and therapeutic landscapes.
  • Serve as a mentor and role model for field medical colleagues, supporting onboarding and therapeutic training.

Qualifications

• Advanced clinical degree (MD/DO) is required.
• Minimum 5 years of clinical experience with proven expertise in rheumatology.
• Advanced clinical and/or scientific knowledge in rheumatology.
• Strong ability to conduct peer-to-peer level scientific discussions/presentations with a variety of external and internal stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3+ years Medical Affairs experience (strongly preferred).
• Experience writing scientific publications, posters, and manuscripts.
• Clinical experience in rheumatology, chronic inflammation, or autoimmune diseases.
• Leadership and mentoring experience.

Knowledge & Skills

• Excellent organizational, prioritization, and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and adapt in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
• Comfortable working in smaller, start-up biotech setting
• Willingness to travel (~30% potentially more)

Competencies

• All Employees: Resilience, Collaboration, Effective Communication, Customer Focus, Decision Quality, Engagement, Results, Accountability, Trust, Planning & Alignment, Self-Development, Values Differences
• People Leaders: Builds Effective Teams, Resourcefulness
• Senior Leaders: Drives Vision & Purpose, Strategic Mindset

The job description documents the general nature and level of work but is not intended to be a comprehensive list of activities, duties and responsibilities. Interested in working for Aurinia? Take the first step by joining our Talent Network today!