JOB DETAILS

Associate Director/Manager, Field Medical Affairs

CompanyDendreon Corporation
LocationSeal Beach
Work ModeOn Site
PostedApril 3, 2026
About The Company
Dendreon is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company and pioneer in the development of immunotherapy. Dendreon’s flagship product, PROVENGE (sipuleucel-T), was the first FDA-approved immunotherapy made from a patient’s own immune cells. More than 40,000 men with advanced prostate cancer have been prescribed PROVENGE in the U.S. since 2010. Dendreon also is evaluating the use of PROVENGE in early-stage prostate cancer, with the hope of curing more men of the disease. Dendreon is headquartered in Seal Beach, California. Notice of Fraudulent Activity for Job Applicants Please be aware of the potential for scams from individuals, organizations and internet sites that claim to represent Dendreon Pharmaceuticals in recruitment activities. We strongly recommend that you verify all communications you receive about positions at Dendreon. Any communications from Dendreon would come from an email address that ends in “@dendreon.com”. Dendreon will never ask candidates to provide any type of payment, bank details, photocopies of identification, social security number or other highly sensitive personal information during the recruitment or offer process. Dendreon conducts a formal recruitment process for all authorized positions posted and does not conduct interviews via social media, or other third-party sites or chat services. If you are unsure about a posting or email you receive, please contact us at askhr@dendreon.com. If you believe you are a victim of fraud, please contact your local law enforcement.
About the Role

Overview

Who We Are:

 

At Dendreon, we’re transforming the battle against cancer with personalized immunotherapy. Our flagship product, PROVENGE® (sipuleucel-T), was the first FDA-approved immunotherapy for metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer, utilizing a patient’s own immune cells to fight the disease.

 

If you’re driven by the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on cancer patients' lives, we invite you to join our team. With Immunotherapy Manufacturing Facilities in Seal Beach, CA, and Union City, GA, a strong Research & Development group in Seattle, WA, and a highly skilled Commercial team across the nation, Dendreon is at the forefront of cancer treatment innovation.

 

Core Values:

 

  • Put Patients First: Every day is an opportunity to improve the lives of those living with cancer.
  • Act with Integrity: We commit to transparency, honesty, and always doing what’s right.
  • Build Trust: Trust is earned through candid, open communication and a collaborative approach.
  • Raise the Bar: We embrace continuous improvement and innovation, always striving to elevate our people.
  • Drive Results: We are accountable to each other and deliver success together.

 

Job Summary:

 

The Associate Director/Manager, Field Medical Affairs is a key member of Dendreon’s Medical Affairs leadership team and serves as a player-coach, providing national leadership for the U.S. Medical Science Liaison (MSL) team while maintaining direct field responsibilities across the Western United States (WA, AK, OR, ID, MT, WY, CO, ND, SD, NE, KS, CA, NV, UT, AZ, NM, HI).

 

This role is responsible for ensuring consistent execution of medical strategy, maintaining scientific and compliance excellence, and fostering cross-functional collaboration with clinical, commercial, and regulatory partners. The position leads initiatives that drive scientific exchange, insight generation, evidence dissemination, and investigator support, contributing to Dendreon’s mission to advance innovative immunotherapies for prostate cancer.

 

NOTE:This is a field-based role supporting the Western U.S. region, with up to 60% travel. When not in the field, the position is expected to be based out of our Seal Beach, CA office and is not a fully remote role. Candidates should reside within a commutable distance to Seal Beach, CA, or be willing to relocate.

Responsibilities

 

  • Leadership & Strategy
    • Lead, coach, and develop the U.S. Medical Science Liaison (MSL) team to ensure consistent execution of medical strategy, compliance with company policies, and excellence in scientific engagement.
    • Provide direction on field medical strategy and operational objectives aligned with corporate and departmental goals.
    • Serve as a senior member of the Medical Affairs leadership team, contributing to strategic planning, performance tracking, and resource allocation.
    • Support development of medical affairs plans, annual goals, and budget forecasts.
  • Scientific & Field Responsibilities
    • Maintain personal field responsibility for KOL and HCP engagement within the Western U.S. region.
    • Establish and strengthen peer-to-peer scientific relationships with thought leaders in oncology, urology, and immuno-oncology.
    • Deliver accurate, balanced, and compliant scientific information to external stakeholders.
    • Gather, analyze, and communicate field medical insights to inform strategy, evidence generation, and business planning.
    • Represent Dendreon Medical Affairs at national and regional medical congresses, advisory boards, and scientific meetings.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration
    • Partner with Clinical Operations to identify investigators, support site qualification, and enhance clinical trial execution.
    • Collaborate with Medical Communications, Regulatory Affairs, Pharmacovigilance, and Market Access to ensure alignment and compliance.
    • Support Investigator-Initiated Trial (IIT) programs, including proposal review and progress tracking.
    • Contribute to development of scientific content and internal training materials.
  • Compliance & Operational Excellence
    • Ensure that all activities are conducted in accordance with company SOPs, regulatory standards, and industry guidelines (PhRMA Code, OIG, FDA, etc.).
    • Monitor and report MSL performance metrics and field activity outcomes.
    • Drive continuous improvement across medical field operations, leveraging technology, analytics, and process optimization.
    • Report monthly team activities using dashboard-based metric system.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Job Requirements:

 

Education:

  • Advanced scientific or clinical degree required (PharmD, PhD, MD, DO, DNP or equivalent).

 

Associate Director Level:

  • Minimum 10+ years of related experience in the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, or life sciences industry.
  • Minimum 5 years of experience as an MSL, including 3+ years in a leadership or mentoring role (team lead, regional director, or equivalent).
  • Demonstrated success leading medical teams and executing national field strategies.
  • Proven record of scientific credibility and thought leader engagement in oncology, immuno-oncology, or related therapeutic areas.
  • Strong strategic thinking, decision-making, and organizational leadership skills.

Manager Level:

  • Minimum 5+ years of related experience in the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, or life sciences industry.
  • Minimum 3 years of experience as an MSL, including 1+ years in an established leadership capacity (team lead, regional MSL manager, or direct people management)
  • Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop medical staff and drive execution of medical strategies.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in medical engagement, clinical research support, and cross-functional collaboration.
  • Strong communication and analytical skills with a focus on scientific accuracy and compliance.

Preferred Experience:

  • Prior experience in cellular therapy or immunotherapy (prostate cancer experience preferred).
  • Established relationships with oncology or urology Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs).
  • Experience supporting Investigator-Initiated Trials (IITs) and clinical development programs.
  • Familiarity with eQMS, CRM, and insight management systems.
  • Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a matrixed environment.

 

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

  • This is a field-based role supporting the Western U.S. region, with up to 60% travel. When not in the field, the position is expected to be based out of our Seal Beach, CA office and is not a fully remote role. Candidates should reside within a commutable distance to Seal Beach, CA, or be willing to relocate.
  • Ability to travel up to 60% (domestic), including overnight stays and weekends.
  • Must be able to attend conferences, scientific meetings, and site visits as required.
  • This role operates in a standard office setting using standard office equipment.
  • Role requires frequent use of video conferencing, standard office software, and digital collaboration tools.
  • Must have the ability to lift 10 – 20 lbs.
  • Must have the ability to work in an office environment around laboratories, manufacturing areas and equipment with exposure to blood, blood products or OPIM (other potentially infectious materials) while donning required personal protective materials

 

Key Skills
Medical AffairsTeam LeadershipStrategic PlanningOncologyImmuno-oncologyKOL EngagementClinical ResearchRegulatory ComplianceScientific CommunicationCross-functional CollaborationBudget ForecastingMentoringData AnalysisInsight GenerationEvidence DisseminationField Operations
Categories
HealthcareManagement & LeadershipScience & Research
Job Information
📋Core Responsibilities
The Associate Director/Manager leads the U.S. Medical Science Liaison team to execute medical strategy while maintaining personal field responsibilities for KOL engagement in the Western U.S. They collaborate cross-functionally with clinical, regulatory, and commercial partners to drive scientific exchange and support clinical trial initiatives.
📋Job Type
other
💰Salary Range
$146,250 - $215,000
📊Experience Level
10+
💼Company Size
605
📊Visa Sponsorship
No
💼Language
English
🏢Working Hours
40 hours
Apply Now →

You'll be redirected to
the company's application page