Thought Leader Liaison Director - Hematology

Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd., is a global pharmaceutical company based in Japan with operations in the U.S. (Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc.), focused on addressing patient needs in oncology, urology, women's health, rare diseases, cell & gene therapies and CNS. With several marketed products and a diverse pipeline of early- to late-stage investigational assets, we aim to accelerate discovery, research, and development to bring novel therapies to patients sooner. For more information on SMPA, visit our website https://www.us.sumitomo-pharma.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

We are currently seeking a dynamic, motivated, and experienced individual for the position of Thought Leader Liaison Director – Hematology (Enzomenib). This field-based role will focus on shaping the external thought leader ecosystem and pre-launch readiness for enzomenib, while also supporting the eventual transition to an in-market commercial role. The TLL will engage hematology thought leaders across academic centers and leading community institutions, generate insights to inform launch planning and strategy, and ensure continuity of engagement and impact through commercialization.

Essential Functions Required for Job:

• Develop and execute a pre-launch thought leader engagement plan for enzomenib, including identification, profiling, and prioritization of key hematology/oncology experts and emerging voices.
• Map the thought leader landscape, influence pathways, and treatment ecosystem to inform launch targeting, segmentation, and engagement strategy
• Build and strengthen relationships with thought leaders in acute leukemia and related hematologic malignancies, aligning engagement with development and launch milestones
• Capture and synthesize external insights on unmet need, treatment patterns, diagnostic considerations, and adoption barriers, translating findings into actionable launch strategy implications
• Partner cross-functionally to shape advisory board strategy and ensure meaningful, compliant insight generation
• Provide field perspective and external feedback to refine pre-launch narrative, messaging, and engagement approaches
• Serve as thought leader engagement lead within the cross-functional launch team, integrating insights into launch readiness plans
• Coordinate planning for key congress engagements and scientific meetings in partnership with internal stakeholders
• Educate internal teams on the evolving hematology landscape and thought leader ecosystem ahead of launch
• Ensure all engagement and insight generation activities are compliant and appropriate for a pre-launch activity
• Support transition from pre-launch to commercialization, maintaining continuity of thought leader relationships and aligning engagement with evolving brand priorities.
• Drive post-launch thought leader engagement and insight generation to inform adoption, advocacy development, and ongoing lifecycle strategy.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (general & technical):

• Excellent communication skills with strong credibility among hematology/oncology clinical leaders.

• Strong knowledge of acute leukemia and hematologic malignancy treatment landscape.
• Strategic mindset with ability to translate insights into business impact.
• Advanced cross-functional collaboration and leadership skills.
• High standards of compliance and sound judgment.
• Strong organizational awareness and ability to operate in a matrixed environment.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in life sciences or healthcare strongly preferred
• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry
• Prior Thought Leader Liaison (TLL) in Hematology strongly preferred, including experience engaging leukemia or hematologic malignancy experts
• Deep understanding of the hematology landscape, including acute leukemia treatment paradigms, academic centers, and key opinion leader networks
• Demonstrated success engaging KOLs and translating insights into actionable commercial strategies
• Experience supporting pre-launch or launch of a hematology/oncology asset strongly preferred

Travel Requirements:

• Willingness to travel extensively (50–70%).

Mental/Physical Requirements:

• Extensive travel: Regular travel throughout assigned territory—estimated 60–80% of working time—requiring long periods on the road and flexible scheduling.  Overnight stays as part of business travel may be required depending on the territory.
• Mobility & stamina: Frequent in-person visits to physician offices, clinics, hospitals, and trade shows, requiring sustained driving, walking, standing, and sitting.
• Independent, field-based work: Ability to manage one’s schedule, work autonomously, and adapt to variable meeting locales (conference rooms, doctors’ offices, hotel spaces)

This is an individual contributor role and does not have direct reports or formal people‑management responsibilities.

The base salary range for this role is

Base salary is part of our total rewards package which also includes the opportunity for merit-based salary increases, short incentive plan participation, eligibility for our 401(k) plan, medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurances and leaves provided in line with your work state.  Our robust time-off policy includes flexible paid time off, 11 paid holidays plus additional time off for a shut-down period during the last week of December, 80 hours of paid sick time upon hire and each year thereafter.  Total compensation, including base salary to be offered, will depend on elements unique to each candidate, including candidate experience, skills, education and other factors permitted by law.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Confidential Data: All information (written, verbal, electronic, etc.) that an employee encounters is considered confidential, in accordance with applicable law.

Compliance: Achieve and maintain Compliance with all applicable regulatory, legal and operational rules and procedures, by ensuring that all plans and activities for and on behalf of Sumitomo Pharma America (SMPA) and affiliates are carried out with the "best" industry practices and the highest ethical standards.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Mental/Physical Requirements:

Fast-paced environment handling multiple demands is involved. Must be able to exercise appropriate judgment as necessary. Requires a high level of initiative and independence. Excellent written and oral communication skills required. Requires ability to use a personal computer for extended periods of time.

Travel Requirements:

Primarily remote role with periodic on-site meetings in office. Must be able to travel domestically and internationally as needed.

Drug Screening Requirements
Applicants for sales/field, manufacturing, or other designated roles will be required to submit to a pre-employment drug test.

Sumitomo Pharma America (SMPA) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; nationality; marital, domestic partnership or civil union status; sex, gender; affectional or sexual orientation; disability; veteran or military status or liability for military status; domestic violence victim status; atypical cellular or blood trait; genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing) or any other characteristic protected by law.

Sumitomo Pharma America (SMPA) endeavors to make its application process accessible to all. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact SMPA at reasonableaccomodations@us.sumitomo-pharma.com. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.