National Director, Strategic Engagement

Position Summary:

The National Director, Strategic Engagement - Retina will be responsible for developing and executing engagement strategies that foster strong relationships with key stakeholders and accounts in the retina ecosystem. This role will focus on driving strategic initiatives that enhance the organization's presence, influence, and impact within the retina space. This leader will also help to engage and develop Retina advocates to elevate Ocular engagements, drive strategic collaborations and ensure meaningful exchange of insights across internal and external stakeholders.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

The National Director of Strategic Engagement must have a solid knowledge of the Retina landscape, associated accounts, societies and stakeholders. The National Director of Strategic Engagement is expected to be the subject matter expert on both strategic and customer engagement strategies and execution. This role requires a high degree of communication, coordination, and cross-functional collaboration.

Essential responsibilities include:

• Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Management

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with Retina specialists, key accounts, and critical stakeholders within these accounts.

• Collaborate with professional societies, and research institutions to drive awareness and education.

• Represent the organization at industry conferences, advisory boards, and strategic meetings.

• Strategic Planning & Execution

• Develop and implement engagement strategies aligned with business objectives and market needs. Starting as an individual contributor, then through the design and onboarding of a national team.

• Identify opportunities for partnerships, collaborations, and sponsorships to enhance corporate positioning.

• Lead cross-functional initiatives to optimize stakeholder interactions and engagement efforts.

• Work in alignment with the marketing team to establish a comprehensive retina congress/convention strategy.

• Corporate and Commercial Communications

• Collaborate closely with cross functional team members to ensure alignment in messaging and engagement activities.

• Support the development of educational materials, symposiums, and thought leadership content for the retina community.

• Represent Ocular at select speaking opportunities and other customer engagements

• Develop and lead advisory boards and speaker programs to gather insights and drive scientific exchange.

• Market Insights

• Monitor trends, advancements, and competitive activities in the Retina landscape

• Gather and synthesize insights from external stakeholders to inform strategic decision-making as well as establish a structured feedback process.

• Provide recommendations on unmet needs, emerging opportunities, and innovative engagement approaches.

• Collaboration & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner with medical, commercial, market access, and regulatory teams to ensure a cohesive engagement strategy.

• Lead a cross-functional team to deliver innovative solutions and partnership to key customers and strategic accounts.

• Lead internal training and workshops to enhance stakeholder engagement capabilities.

Qualification Requirements:

• Requires a BA or BS degree (advanced degree preferred)
• Extensive experience in Retina preferred
• Minimum 5 years directly managing customer facing engagement team
• Minimum 8 years of experience working with eye care providers and retina specialists
• Minimum 10+ years of other related pharma/biotech experience strongly preferred (e.g., Sales, Thought Leadership, Training)
• Prior experience launching buy-an-bill drugs in ophthalmology / retina preferred
• Proven history in stakeholder engagement, KOL management, or strategic partnerships
• Strong knowledge of the retina disease landscape, treatment trends, and emerging therapies.
• Ability to lead by influence within cross-functional groups and in a matrix organization
• Exceptional professional communications and interpersonal/critical thinking skills necessary to interact with key decision makers (CEO, CCO, and other c-suite level stakeholders)
• Experience in industry conferences, scientific exchange, and advocacy engagement
• Strategic mindset with the ability to analyze data, identify trends, and drive decision-making
• Demonstrated ability to identify key access barriers and design effective resolution plans
• Ensures compliance with all corporate and industry policies in collaboration with Legal, Medical, and Regulatory
• Desire to innovate and work in a fast-paced, energetic environment
• Requires up to 50% domestic travel