Vice President, Field Medical Affairs

Medical Affairs

Nearly 37 million Americans are currently affected by Chronic Kidney Disease. 37 million.

At Akebia we take that number very seriously and every day we come to work, with the purpose of bettering the lives of each person impacted by kidney disease and the renal community that serves them.
Our tenacious, passionate employees' challenge the status quo and work to develop unique therapeutics that have the potential to set new standards of care for people living with kidney disease.

This is life-changing work, and we are all in, are you?

Akebia is seeking a Head of Field Medical Affairs to lead the Field Medical organization, with responsibility for strategy, execution, and team management. This individual will oversee the planning and implementation of field-based medical activities supporting Vafseo and other pipeline products, ensuring strong engagement with healthcare professionals, clinical thought leaders, and patient communities.
This role requires a hands-on leader with deep scientific expertise, strong communication skills, and proven experience building and managing high-performing field medical teams in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Lead, develop, and manage Akebia's Field Medical team, including field-based Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs).
• Develop and execute the Field Medical strategy aligned with corporate and medical objectives.
• Partner closely with Clinical Development, Medical Communications, Regulatory, and Commercial to support data generation and dissemination.
• Build strong relationships with key medical experts (KMEs), academic institutions, and patient advocacy organizations.
• Ensure compliant and effective scientific exchange on Akebia products, clinical trials, and disease areas.
• Support external clinical and scientific meetings, symposia, and advisory boards.
• Provide actionable insights from field engagements to internal teams to inform medical strategy, evidence generation, and life-cycle planning.
• Ensure the Field Medical team is trained, compliant, and highly effective in communicating complex scientific data.
• Oversee performance management, coaching, and professional development of Field Medical team members.
• Ensure alignment with all applicable regulations, guidelines, and company policies, including those of FDA, OIG, and PhRMA.
  

Basic Qualifications:

• MD required.
• Minimum of 8 years in Medical Affairs, including 5+ years of direct leadership in field medical functions.
• Proven success launching and supporting commercial-stage products, preferably in nephrology or related therapeutic areas (e.g., hematology, cardiology, endocrinology, internal medicine).
• Deep understanding of medical engagement strategy, scientific exchange, and KME relationship development.
• Knowledge of FDA, GCP, ICH, and PhRMA code relevant to field-based activities.
• Strong leadership, communication, and collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in rare diseases, chronic kidney disease, or anemia management.
• Prior experience in a mid-sized or entrepreneurial biopharma company.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and navigate a matrixed organization.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and grow a field medical team.
• Track record of strategic thinking paired with operational execution.
  

Compensation:

Targeted Base: 334,199 - 412,835*

*Base Compensation for this role will depend on a number of factors including a candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience, and may fall outside of the range shown. Base pay is only one component of the company's total rewards package, all regular employees are also eligible for the corporate bonus program or the incentive compensation program (if applicable), as well as equity. Additional benefits include health care, vision, dental, retirement, PTO, etc.

Are you an Akebian?

An Akebian is curious, empathetic, and values making connections to people and ideas. Akebian's aren't afraid of diving in and owning a process or a problem, because we all want to deliver a great solution. Akebian's believe that we are better together because we are all working toward a common purpose - to better the life of each person impacted by kidney disease. Want to learn more about what it means to be an Akebian? Visit our website: www.akebia.com

Akebia is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all job applicants. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law.