Director, Field Medical at Lyell… · Location…

Using living cells to treat – and sometimes even cure – cancer is one of the most dramatic advances in modern medicine. Patients with hematologic malignancies have been successfully treated with cell therapies. However, these profound results have not yet been achieved in patients with solid tumors, representing approximately 90% of all cancers. And for patients with hematologic malignancies, there is a need for next-generation cell therapies that can deliver increased response rates and longer duration of response. We are a clinical-stage company advancing a pipeline of next-generation CAR T-cell therapies for patients with solid tumors or hematologic malignancies. Lyell’s product candidates are enhanced with novel technology designed to generate T cells that resist exhaustion and have qualities of durable stemness in order to drive durable tumor cytotoxicity and achieve consistent and long-lasting clinical response. We were founded by cell therapy pioneers whose decades of research elevated the broader understanding of T-cell biology and its interaction with cancer. In our quest to advance next-generation CAR T-cell therapies, we have built a fully integrated company capable of discovering new technologies, translating science into therapies, manufacturing cell therapy products, and clinically evaluating them in patients. Our culture is based on Science, Respect, Collaboration, and Courage and reflects who we are, the environment we create, and our mission's urgency. As a critical member of Lyell's inaugural U.S. Field Medical Team, the Director, Field Medical will serve as a field-based subject matter expert on cellular therapy for the external health care professional (HCP) community and internal partners. Reporting directly to the Senior Director, Field Medical, this high-performing field medical professional will be responsible for driving strategic regional external engagement, deep therapeutic expertise, pivotal clinical trial support, and advanced insight generation across hematologic and solid tumors—particularly within cellular therapy to establish Lyell as the partner of choice in the rapidly evolving cellular therapy landscape. This role is expected to model AI-fluency for field medical — leveraging emerging tools for scientific synthesis, insight generation, and engagement planning to operate with the speed and impact of a team.

This role will initially operate as an individual contributor with a defined pathway to people management. As Lyell's field team expands, the Director, Field Medical will assume responsibility for recruiting, coaching, and leading a team of MSLs within their region.

KEY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Territory Ownership & Team Foundation

• Design and execute comprehensive, insight-driven regional territory plan aligned with Medical Affairs strategy through sophisticated mapping and engagement of HCPs, cellular therapy treatment centers, CAR-T referring networks, disease-area influencers, and institutional decision makers.
• Leverage advanced knowledge of the CAR-T ecosystem — augmented by AI-powered landscape tools, literature synthesis platforms, and digital signal monitoring — to anticipate scientific, clinical, and operational needs across the territory.
• Apply strategic acumen and innovation to shape regional medical priorities and tactics.
• Serve as foundational member of inaugural field medical team, contributing to creation of standardized field medical processes, external and internal resources, and mentorship and supervision of future MSL hires.
• Prepare for future team leadership by contributing to MSL hiring, onboarding frameworks, and performance management processes in partnership with the Senior Director, Field Medical.

Scientific Exchange & Stakeholder Engagement

• Function as the regional scientific expert in cellular immunotherapy, delivering high-impact, fair-balanced scientific exchange tailored to the needs of:
  • Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs)
  • Academic investigators
  • Transplant and cell therapy centers
  • Community oncology and hematology treaters
• Drive deep, peer-to-peer scientific discussions across complex topics such as CAR-T mechanism, safety management, durability, immune cell fitness, and trial protocols.
• Represent the organization with field presence at local regional conferences and major scientific meetings (e.g., ASH, ASCO, ESMO, SITC).
• Utilize AI-assisted tools for pre-call planning, scientific literature synthesis, and post-interaction insight capture to maximize the quality and consistency of HCP engagements.

Strategic Impact & Quality Adherence

• Generate high-quality, actionable medical insights by synthesizing signals across scientific conversations, clinical practice patterns, competitive intelligence, and emerging translational science — using AI-enabled tools to accelerate pattern recognition, summarization, and insight delivery to internal stakeholders.
• Serve as strategic, scientific thought partner of choice through proactively synthesizing data and insights that meaningfully inform:
  • Evidence generation plans, clinical trial design, and protocol amendments
  • Launch readiness and positioning
  • Cross-functional strategies (Clinical Operations, HEOR, R&D)
• Partner closely with Clinical Operations to accelerate site identification, study start-up and enrollment, and scientific training to investigators, sub investigators, research staff, and referral sites for pivotal clinical trials.
• Maintain strict adherence to compliance standards and accurate and timely documentation of field activity, insights, and expenses.
• Champion the responsible adoption of AI tools within the field medical function, while maintaining compliance and data integrity standards.

PREFERRED EDUCATION

• PharmD, PhD, MD, or DO with residency/fellowship and board certification for clinical degrees preferred. Advanced degree in health sciences (NP, PA, RN) considered if extensive clinical/medical experience in therapeutic areas.
• Oncology/hematology specialty required; lymphoma and/or CAR-T cell therapy experience strongly preferred. Solid tumor experience (particularly GI oncology) valued.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• 5+ years pharmaceutical/biotech industry experience in a field medical or MSL role. Prior experience in a Senior MSL, Principal/Executive MSL, or field medical leadership capacity preferred.
• Demonstrated success engaging multi-disciplinary high-level academic and community providers.
• Demonstrated track record of solving complex problems and proactive field medical innovation.
• Demonstrated experience incorporating technology such as AI tools into field medical workflows, with a track record of rapid technology adoption.
• Experience contributing to or leading MSL team development, hiring, or onboarding a plus.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Strong knowledge of clinical trial processes, CAR-T operational pathways, and latest immuno-oncology science.
• Expertise tailoring complex scientific and clinical data into relevant scientific exchange.
• Exceptional communication, presence, and scientific storytelling abilities.
• Comfort operating at the intersection of immuno-oncology science and emerging technology, including AI-enabled field operations.
• Ability to work autonomously in a rapidly evolving, high-growth biotech environment.
• Strategic and systems-level thinker and doer with deep scientific curiosity and expertise.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor, coach, or informally lead peers in a field medical setting.
• Exceptional collaboration and influence.
• High adaptability and comfort with ambiguity.
• Strong ethical judgment and integrity.
• Passion for transforming patient outcomes through cutting-edge science.
• Frequent travel (up to 50-70%), including visits to cellular treatment centers, community practices, and local regional conferences.

Lyell offers its employees a range of compensation and benefits. To assist you with your decision to apply for this role, the following decision to apply for this role, the following information and links to our site highlight our competitive market position and support to our employees and their dependents.

The salary range for this position is $240,000 - $280,000, annually, with the opportunity to earn an annual bonus. The salary range is an estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on Lyell’s compensation practices and an applicant’s qualifications and experience. Employees are also eligible to participate in Lyell’s Equity Incentive Plan.

At Lyell, we believe that highest performing teams include people from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences who respectfully challenge each other. We are committed to building an open, diverse and inclusive culture for all employees. Lyell is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status or any other characteristics protected under applicable federal, state and local laws.

We’ve learned from experience that some of the best people don’t always match our requirements perfectly - if you’re interested and think you could fit, please don’t hesitate to apply.