Apnimed is a rapidly growing pharmaceutical company working to transform the treatment of sleep apnea based on a simple idea – patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) could benefit from treatment with a safe and effective oral medication dosed once daily at bedtime. Our lead development program, AD109, targets the neurologic control of upper airway muscles to maintain an open airway during sleep. Based in Cambridge, Mass., Apnimed is committed to innovation, as well as state-of-the-art advancements in sleep medicine, which is leading to the development of a portfolio of novel pharmacologic therapies for sleep apnea and related disorders. Of note, the Boston Business Journal has also voted Apnimed as one of the Best Places to Work in 2024 and 2025!
The Senior Director, Professional Medical Associations will lead the strategy and execution of the company’s engagement with U.S.-based professional medical societies in sleep medicine and related specialties. This role is responsible for fostering credible, science-driven, and compliant relationships with key organizations aligned with company priorities to advance clinical understanding, support evidence dissemination, and inform patient care.
The role will serve as a critical bridge between external scientific communities and internal cross-functional teams, ensuring that insights from professional societies shape medical strategy while maintaining the highest standards of scientific integrity and compliance.
This leader will report to the Senior VP, Medical Affairs, and may be based in Apnimed headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts, or based remotely with occasional travel to the home office.
Key Responsibilities:
Professional Medical Association (PMA) Engagement
- Develop and execute a strategy and tactical plan for engagement with professional medical associations in sleep medicine and related specialties that is aligned with company priorities
- Manage decision process and budget for grant and sponsorship requests from national and regional medical associations
- Ensure all interactions are grounded in scientific exchange and comply with applicable regulatory and ethical standards
Scientific Collaboration
- Build and maintain trusted, non-promotional relationships with PMA leadership, committees, and members
- Identify opportunities for scientific collaboration, including:
- Independent medical education initiatives
- Congress symposia and scientific exchange
- Research collaborations and evidence generation
- Support initiatives such as advisory boards, webinars, expert input sessions, and scientific panels in collaboration with PMAs
- Support U.S. congress planning and execution focused on engagement with PMA leaders
Insight Generation
- Systematically gather and synthesize insights from PMA engagements, congresses, and scientific interactions
- Translate external insights into actionable recommendations for:
- Medical strategy and evidence generation plans
- Publication and communication strategies
- Monitor developments in clinical practice guidelines and standards of care in sleep medicine
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Partner and collaborate closely with:
- Patient Advocacy
- Field Medical Team
- Medical Communications & Publications
- Commercial
- Ensure alignment of PMA engagement with broader company priorities and launch strategy.
- Provide governance and guidance to ensure compliant engagement across functions.
Qualifications:
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in relevant field required; advanced scientific or clinical degree preferred (MD, PharmD, PhD preferred)
- 10+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, with strong experience in medical affairs or corporate affairs
- Demonstrated experience engaging with U.S. professional medical societies and/or key opinion leaders
Skills & Competencies
- Exceptional ability to build credibility with external scientific leaders
- Track record of demonstrated ability to think strategically and execute with agility; able to “get the right things done well and on time” and able to integrate external insights into internal plans
- High level of emotional intelligence, with keen ability to build high levels of trust and effectively collaborate with internal colleagues and external stakeholders
- Notably strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
- Strong project planning and cross-functional management skills, including problem-solving and risk mitigation
- Experience supporting pharmaceutical product launches through regulatory filing, review, approval and launch
- Unimpeached track record of the highest levels of integrity, honesty, and ethics
- Working knowledge of industry, regulatory, ethical, legal compliance guidelines relevant to engaging with patient advocates and health care providers
- Strong working knowledge of U.S. healthcare compliance frameworks governing activities with health care providers and professional societies
- Ability to travel as needed, up to 20%, mainly in U.S.