Beyond the Resume: What Medical Affairs Leaders Really Look for in Rising Talent
Getting hired into Medical Affairs and getting positioned for what comes next both come down to signals most candidates never hear about directly. They come from generic career advice, not from the people actually making these calls. In this session, a senior Medical Affairs leader who evaluates and hires MSL and Medical Affairs talent (and watches those same hires grow into bigger roles) pulls back the curtain on what actually separates candidates who get hired from those who don't, and what separates people who get noticed for growth from those who plateau.
Thursday, August 6, 2026 at 3:00 PM EST
Featured Speakers
Valerie Stafford-Fox, BCMAS
Head, Sr. Director, Solid Tumor Oncology Field Medical at GSK
Drawing on firsthand experience evaluating and developing talent, this webinar will reveal the specific signals, behaviors, and mindset shifts that leaders look for often long before an official promotion is on the table.
Whether you're a current MSL ready for your next level/step or trying to land your first Medical Affairs role, or trying to make sure you're seen as ready for the promotion, you'll walk away with a clear, insider picture of what it actually takes to be seen as leadership-ready in medical affairs, and concrete steps you can start taking now.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify the key competencies that medical affairs leaders prioritize when evaluating candidates for advancement.
- Recognize the most common misconceptions candidates have about what Medical Affairs leaders are evaluating
- Recognize the early signals and behaviors that separate high performers who get noticed for growth from those who remain stagnant
- Understand common pitfalls that prevent otherwise qualified clinical or technical professionals from advancing into leadership roles.