Head of Medical Affairs

Back to jobsHead of Medical AffairsUSAApply Lyell is a late-stage clinical company advancing a pipeline of next-generation CAR T-cell therapies for patients with hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. Reporting to the Chief Medical Officer, the Vice President or Sr. Vice President, Head of Medical Affairs will lead the U.S. Medical Affairs function and team, setting and executing the medical strategy across Lyell’s pipeline as the company prepares for its first approval and commercial launch. This leader is accountable for building and scaling a high-performing Medical Affairs organization and for providing enterprise-level oversight across a growing, multi-program portfolio—directly overseeing leads for lymphoma, solid tumors, and field medical—while driving scientific communication and education, professional and KOL relationships, patient advocacy, and digital innovation. The Head of Medical Affairs will partner closely with the Executive Committee, Clinical Development, Regulatory, Commercial, Market Access, and Manufacturing leadership to ensure a seamless experience for patients and for cell therapy treatment sites as they engage with Lyell to receive and administer our therapies. The Head of Medical Affairs will be a central contributor to launch readiness and successful launch execution. This role can be based out of either our Seattle, WA or South San Francisco, CA offices, but can also be remote with regular travel to our offices. Medical Affairs Strategy & Leadership Provide strategic and medical/scientific leadership across the pipeline, spanning hematologic malignancies (lymphoma) and solid tumors. Develop and execute integrated U.S. Medical Affairs strategies that align patient needs with scientific, clinical, and corporate objectives. Shape the medical narrative, scientific platform, core claims, and evidence-generation priorities to support evolving programs. Provide senior medical leadership and insight across Clinical Development, Regulatory, Commercial, and Market Access functions. Set enterprise Medical Affairs priorities and allocate resources across multiple concurrent programs and therapeutic areas. Team Leadership & Development Lead and scale the Medical Affairs organization through other senior leaders—setting direction across multiple programs and therapeutic areas, and directly managing the lymphoma, solid tumor, and field medical leads. Direct resource planning, prioritization, and budget oversight for Medical Affairs. Attract, mentor, and retain top talent; foster a culture of integrity, scientific rigor, collaboration, and patient focus. Set clear objectives and performance expectations, and coach team members toward growth and impact. Launch Readiness Drive Medical Affairs contributions to launch readiness and successful launch execution for Lyell’s first and future assets. Ensure field medical, scientific communications, and evidence-generation plans are aligned, resourced, and launch-ready. Partner with cross-functional launch teams to support a seamless experience for patients and cell therapy treatment sites. Professional Relations & Scientific Exchange Build and strengthen relationships with academic centers, community practices, healthcare professional organizations, medical societies, and key opinion leaders in oncology and hematology. Represent Lyell at scientific congresses, advisory boards, and advocacy forums (e.g., ASH, ASCO, EHA, ICML, ESMO). Gather and synthesize external insights to shape Medical Affairs initiatives and inform clinical development priorities. Medical Excellence & Communications Oversee the development of medical narratives, scientific platforms, publications strategy, and congress activities. Ensure compliant, high-quality execution of field medical and medical communication and education initiatives. Partner with Clinical Development to inform trial design, recruitment strategies, and evidence generation needs. Patient Advocacy & Coalitions Develop...