Director, Medical & Scientific Engagement (Home Office)

Job Title:  Director, Medical & Scientific Engagement (Home Office)

Location: Chicago, IL (with some flexibility for remote work for exceptional candidates)

Work Hours: Full-time/Part-time (based on a 37.5 hour work week)

Grade: 12

Reports To: Chief Science Officer

Who We Are:

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia - by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.

At the Alzheimer’s Association, our employees are at the core of all we do. Our network of more than 1,700 employees across the United States makes a difference each and every day for those impacted by Alzheimer’s and those at risk for the disease.

We warmly invite qualified applicants to consider this opportunity to make a life changing impact on the millions living with Alzheimer’s, their caregivers and those that may be diagnosed with the disease in the future.  Read on to learn more about the role, then visit our website www.alz.org/jobs to find out more about who we are and why we've been recognized as a Best Place to Work the last eleven years in a row. 

POSITION PURPOSE:

The Director, Medical & Scientific Engagement at the Alzheimer’s Association will be an experienced, enthusiastic and captivating spokesperson, responsible for stimulating excitement for the Alzheimer’s Association medical & scientific leadership nationwide, targeting Association events, initiatives and programs. This key role would also work with Association leadership to strategize and help launch initiatives for clinical researchers, clinicians, and families affected by dementia, that focus on future treatments currently in the pipeline.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Execute the Association’s Strategic Plan to accelerate research through creation and delivery of inspiring and riveting updates around the country to regional and chapter directed audiences. Such updates would be in the form of personal presentations as well as webinars. Additionally the individual would work with key staff to create new tools to increase the understanding of the novel treatments on the horizon for early and accelerated adoption by the clinical and patient community. 

This position will also partner with other Medical and Scientific team Directors on the oversight and management of the Association’s strategic investment portfolio as well as with the Relationship Development team to assist in development of strategic giving opportunities. This includes representing the Association to major donors as needed, to communicate the Association’s role in research and the difference their donations can make to the race for a cure.

Participate in annual goal setting to achieve the goals of the strategic plan, and ensure the nationwide organization achieves full embrace of the Association’s scientific agenda.

Work with Chief Science Officer and other Medical and Scientific Directors to fulfill, track and update yearly goals and priority activities aimed at increasing scientific engagement of the Alzheimer’s Association network (staff, volunteers, donors).

Create, update and direct presentations for a variety of organizational uses.

REQUIREMENTS:

Education & Experience:    

• M.D. degree
• 7-10 years related experience in either a hospital setting or neuro-science area of a pharmaceutical company
• Experience with hospital and/or clinical populations related to Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
• Experience in conducting Alzheimer’s disease research that is clinical in nature.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Confidently engage and stimulate audiences both large and small, with scientific & medical information and calls to action.
• Exceptional speaking skills to effectively convey information across technical/medical /non-scientific audiences, inclusive of written presentations
• Ability to translate scientific and medical findings to various lay audiences
• Excellent scientific & medical evaluation and communication skills with the ability to synthesize ideas from presentations and published literature. Experience in writing/reading/analyzing scientific publications
• Ability to work effectively both independently and in a team environment. Collegial and spirited personality, who is passionate about educating audiences on these topics.

• Proficient at managing complex relationships with external and internal stakeholders and assist in cultivation of collaborations for the advancement of the Association mission and science program initiatives.
• Experience with creating and leading programs designed for clinical.
• Demonstrated problem-solving and decision making skills and ability to work well under pressure
• Ability to influence, provide leadership, coaching, and operational direction as appropriate to diverse staff.
• Demonstrated problem-solving and decision making skills and ability to work well under pressure
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite. Familiarity with Google Apps preferred.

Other Requirements:

• Ability to travel throughout the US by plane and surface transportation, as well as travel internationally as needed. Must possess valid passport. Estimated travel is 60%.

Employees working 24 hours/week or more are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, flex accounts, short and long-term disability, life insurance, tuition reimbursement, generous PTO as well as an annual Cultural & Heritage Day of their choosing , Caregiver Leave, Volunteer and School Visitation time off, paid holidays and a gold standard 401(k) retirement plan.

The Alzheimer’s Association is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and provides consideration for an employment relationship without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, genetic predisposition, national origin, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.