Medical Science Liaison Advisor- Obesity

 Medical Science Liaison Advisor, Obesity
Medical Affairs
Johannesburg, South Africa

Bridge the gap between science and patient care in one of healthcare's most critical therapy areas. As a Regional Medical Advisor in Obesity, you'll be the scientific voice bringing life-changing treatments to healthcare professionals across South Africa – combining traditional field-based engagement with cutting-edge digital strategies to amplify scientific dialogue and reach stakeholders where they are.

Your new role

This is a dynamic field-based medical role where you'll blend core Medical Science Liaison competencies with innovative digital and omnichannel engagement strategies. You'll spend the majority of your time engaging with Key Opinion Leaders and Healthcare Professionals across South Africa, while also identifying and building relationships with Digital Opinion Leaders who shape scientific conversations online.

Beyond traditional scientific exchange, you'll pioneer new ways of delivering medical education by integrating digital platforms, virtual engagements, and in-person interactions. You'll map the digital influence landscape, prioritise key stakeholders, and build compliant relationships that support credible scientific dialogue across multiple channels.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Building and maintaining scientific relationships with Key Opinion Leaders, Healthcare Professionals, and Digital Opinion Leaders, sharing up-to-date medical knowledge and clinical trial data on Novo Nordisk's obesity portfolio.
• Identifying, mapping, and engaging Digital Opinion Leaders across relevant professional platforms, including healthcare professionals, academic experts, and influential scientific voices online.
• Delivering scientific communication through an omnichannel approach, integrating digital platforms, virtual engagements, and traditional field interactions tailored to different healthcare audiences.
• Executing medical tactics aligned with the obesity medical strategy across 5 Medical Focus Areas, partnering closely with Marketing, Market Access, and Sales teams.
• Coordinating Investigator-Sponsored Studies, gathering KOL insights to identify gaps for clinical and outcomes research, and supporting evidence generation priorities.
• Planning and executing medical education activities including congress symposia, standalone educational events, and digital scientific content at local and regional levels.
• Assessing and improving clinical care pathways for obesity – from screening and diagnostics through to treatment access – while engaging with Medical Associations and healthcare decision-makers.
• Using engagement insights to optimise communication strategies and inform evidence-based decision making across the business.

Your new department

The Medical Affairs team at Novo Nordisk South Africa is a strategic scientific function that drives evidence generation, scientific excellence, and stakeholder engagement to improve patient outcomes and support cardiometabolic and rare-disease strategies. Led by the Head of Medical Affairs (Senior Manager), the team includes Medical Advisors, Regional Medical Advisors (Medical Science Liaisons), and medical operations staff. Represented in affiliate leadership, Medical Affairs aligns medical plans with company priorities, sets the medical vision, and provides scientific guidance across therapy areas. This field-based role covers multiple South African regions and involves 60–80% time engaging healthcare professionals, key opinion leaders, and digital stakeholders to translate scientific strategies into patient impact.

Your skills & qualifications

We're looking for a medically trained professional with strong scientific acumen, digital fluency, and the ability to build trusted relationships with healthcare stakeholders across traditional and digital channels. You'll bring:

• Medical Doctor degree (most preferred, especially with Endocrinology or Internal Medicine post-graduate specialisation) or Advanced Degree in Health Sciences (Pharmacy or other recognised Medical Affairs certification).
• Clinical practice or pharmaceutical experience in Medical Affairs, with understanding of both field-based scientific exchange and digital engagement strategies (recommended).
• Deep understanding of disease states, therapeutic areas, and standards of medical care, with detailed knowledge of medical positioning of both Novo Nordisk and competitor products.
• Ability to identify and engage Digital Opinion Leaders, with understanding of the digital influence landscape and how healthcare professionals consume scientific content online.
• Strong capability to transfer scientific content effectively to both expert and non-medical audiences across multiple channels (in-person, virtual, digital platforms), with excellent presentation skills.
• Strong scientific mindset with critical thinking, analytical capabilities, and the ability to exert effective leadership in a matrix organisation.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with internal and external stakeholders, with business-level English fluency (written and spoken).
• Willingness to travel extensively (60-80% field time with overnight stays and occasional weekend work).

Previous experience in obesity or metabolic disease areas is desirable, but a genuine willingness to learn and progress in the obesity therapy area is most important. Familiarity with omnichannel engagement and digital medical communication is advantageous.

Working at Novo Nordisk 

Every day we seek the solutions that defeat serious chronic diseases. To do this, we approach our work with determination, constant curiosity and a commitment to finding better ways forward. For over 100 years, this dedication has driven us to build a company focused on lasting 

Deadline: March 31, 2026

We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.

At Novo Nordisk, we're not chasing quick fixes – we're creating lasting change for long-term health. For over 100 years, we've been driven by a single purpose: to defeat serious chronic diseases and help millions of people live healthier lives. This dedication fuels our constant curiosity and inspires us to push the boundaries of what's possible in healthcare. We embrace diverse perspectives, seek out bold ideas, and build partnerships rooted in shared purpose. Together, we're making healthcare more accessible, treating and preventing diseases, and pioneering solutions that create change spanning generations. When you join us, you become part of something bigger – a legacy of impact that reaches far beyond today.