Director, Field Medical/Medical Science Liaison - West

Kardigan · San Francisco or Los Angeles, CA

Posted 8/4/2026 · last confirmed live 8/26/2026

About Us   Kardigan is a heart health company working to make cardiovascular disease preventable, curable and no longer the leading cause of death in the world. It is Kardigan’s mission to develop multiple targeted treatments in parallel that bring people with cardiovascular diseases to the cures they deserve.   Led by Tassos Gianakakos, Jay Edelberg, M.D., Ph.D., and Bob McDowell, Ph.D., Kardigan’s co-founders have reunited after leading MyoKardia to discover and develop mavacamten, the first cardiac myosin inhibitor, resulting in an acquisition by Bristol Myers Squibb in 2020.   We have a cutting-edge discovery and translational research platform, a pipeline of late-stage candidates, and an industry-leading team that is driven to improve the lives of patients.   At Kardigan, we are motivated by our values which guide how we work, interact, and achieve our goals. Driven by patients and their families , we are deeply committed to improving the lives of patients and prioritizing their needs above all else. We believe in being authentic —leading with truth to bring out the best in others by creating an environment where every person knows they will be fully accepted. With an eagerness to learn , we encourage the highest levels of curiosity and are open to changing our minds. We are committed to winning as a team with urgency, excellence, and intention, and support each other no matter what role we play or where we sit. Lastly, we strive to enable the impossible because patients are counting on us. We are not afraid to take risks to unlock innovation and advance scientific discoveries.   These values are the foundation of our work, empowering us to make a real difference, every day.     Job Overview   *May be filled at the Associate Director level based on experience. The Medical Science Liaison (MSL) serves as a field-based scientific leader responsible for advancing the medical strategy within a defined territory. The individual acts as a scientific expert in cardiovascular disease (e.g., heart failure, cardiomyopathies, hypertension, cardiometabolic disease, etc.), builds trusted partnerships with key opinion leaders (KOLs), and implements the Cardiovascular Medical Strategy locally.    Essential Duties and Responsibilities   Scientific Engagement & KOL Development Develop and maintain strategic peer-to-peer relationships with leading cardiologists, heart failure specialists, interventionalists, and academic researchers.  Conduct high-level scientific exchange regarding disease state, mechanism of action, clinical trial data, real-world evidence, and emerging pipeline assets. Identify opportunities for partnership with academic centers, centers of excellence, and/or systems of care to drive impact within the assigned territory. Present and interpret complex cardiovascular clinical data (Preclinical research, Phase I–IV, biomarker data). Identify unmet needs and evolving trends within cardiovascular treatment paradigms. Support national and local medical congresses (ACC, AHA, ESC, HFSA) through scientific engagement and insight capture. Capture actionable medical insights from external experts in support of medical strategy. Clinical & Research Support Provide clinical trial support for company sponsored trials, facilitating relevant medical activities and working cross-functionally with Medical Affairs and Clinical Operations colleagues. Provide protocol education and scientific support in compliance with regulations. Support site feasibility, trial enrollment acceleration, and retention strategies. Facilitate investigator-initiated studies (IIS) and research collaborations, as appropriate. Compliance & Governance Ensure all scientific interactions comply with FDA, EMA, Sunshine Act, and internal SOPs. Maintain accurate documentation of all field activities in CRM systems. Uphold ethical standards and scientific integrity in all engagements.    Qualifications and Preferred Skills   Education   MD, PharmD, PhD, or equivalent advanced scientific degree required.   Experience   3+ years experience in cardiovascular Medical Affairs, clinical research, or related field. Deep knowledge of cardiology, cardiovascular trials, treatment landscape, and guideline development.  Prior MSL experience strongly preferred. Expertise Areas May Include   Heart Failure Dilated and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Hypertension Valvular Heart Diseases (Aortic Stenosis) ASCVD & Lipid Disorders Thrombosis & Anticoagulation Cardiometabolic Disease Rare Cardiovascular Conditions    Anticipated travel (overnight/day) 60% -70% Posted salary range is for MDs - Exact Compensation may vary based on skills, experience and location.   Exact Compensation may vary based on skills, experience and location. Pay range $265,000 — $345,000 USD

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