As the Senior Manager - Customer Education & KOL at GCA, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing the customer education and Key Opinion Leader (KOL) strategies across the entire GCA product lines, including Core and Innovations (Cytrans, Aligner, IOS 200, etc.). Your responsibilities will encompass developing comprehensive customer education strategies and curricula and fostering relationships with key influencers in the dental industry. This position requires a strategic mindset, excellent collaboration skills, and a passion for advancing dental education. 

Key Responsibilities:

Matrix & team leadership:

· Proficient in navigating and operating effectively within a matrix organizational structure.

· Skillful in aligning diverse stakeholders, fostering collaboration, and orchestrating collective efforts to execute business plans and key initiatives successfully.

· Demonstrated ability to lead the education/KOL team with precision and strategic vision.

· Adept at inspiring and guiding team members, ensuring a cohesive approach to achieving educational objectives and nurturing Key Opinion Leader (KOL) relationships.

Education Strategy Development:

· Lead education strategy development across the entire GCA portfolio, including Core and Innovations, such as Cytrans, Aligner, and IOS 200, etc.

· Conduct a thorough analysis of current educational practices and market trends to inform the development of a holistic GCA education strategy.

· Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Product Manager, GCIAG, GCE, regulatory affairs, etc., to ensure the alignment of education initiatives with broader organizational goals.

· Implement key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of education strategies and make data-driven adjustments for continuous improvement.

· Stay abreast of advancements in dental education methodologies, technology, and adult learning principles to incorporate cutting-edge practices into GCA's educational framework.

Education Curriculum Development:

· Engage proactively with product managers (Core & Innovations) and GCIAG to identify educational needs corresponding to new product launches and updates.

· Establish a curriculum development process that involves subject matter experts, instructional designers, and KOL input to ensure the highest educational standards and improve the education quality of GCA.

· Incorporate interactive and multimedia elements into the curriculum to enhance engagement and knowledge retention.

· Implement a feedback loop to gather insights from educators and learners for iterative improvements to the curriculum.

KOL Development:

· Cultivate and nurture relationships with current KOLs through regular communication, providing them with exclusive access to GCA developments and seeking their valuable input to support both Core business and innovations.

· Utilize data-driven insights to identify emerging KOLs, considering factors such as publication records, clinical expertise, and influence within the dental community.

· Develop personalized engagement plans for each KOL, aligning their contributions with GCA's strategic priorities.

· Implement a comprehensive onboarding process for new KOLs, ensuring they are equipped with the necessary information and resources to advocate for GCA effectively.

Education Initiative Execution:

· Design and execute targeted educational initiatives, such as workshops, webinars, and online courses, tailored to specific audience segments to help drive product adoption for both Core and Innovations.

· Collaborate with the marketing team to create promotional materials that effectively communicate the value proposition of GCA's educational offerings.

· Establish a feedback mechanism to assess the impact of education initiatives on product adoption and refine strategies accordingly.

· Conduct regular reviews of industry conferences and events to identify opportunities for GCA's participation and contribution to thought leadership in dental education.

University Engagement:

· Develop GCA University Strategy:

o Conduct a comprehensive analysis of key universities and dental schools to identify strategic partnerships and collaboration opportunities.

o Collaborate with academic institutions to understand their educational needs and align GCA's products and initiatives accordingly.

o Establish a tiered approach for engaging with universities, focusing on Tier 1 and Tier 2 dental schools to maximize impact.

• Lead the development and submission of grant applications for Tier 1 and Tier 2 dental schools, fostering research and educational projects aligned with GCA's mission.
• Implement student fellowship programs to cultivate future dental professionals with a strong affinity for GCA products and methodologies.
• Provide free educational demo products to universities, facilitating hands-on experience for students and educators.

GCA Ambassador Programs:

· Create and manage an ambassador program within universities to enhance brand visibility and advocacy among students and faculty.

· Establish a structured training program for ambassadors, equipping them with the knowledge and resources to represent GCA effectively.

· Leverage ambassadors to facilitate workshops, seminars, and product demonstrations within university settings.

o Clinical/Case Studies for Evidence Enhancement:

• Initiate and oversee clinical and case studies in collaboration with university partners to generate robust clinical evidence supporting GCA's "Core" and "Innovations" products.
• Use study outcomes to strengthen GCA's position as a leader in evidence-based dentistry.

Qualifications:

• Education and Experience: Advanced degree in a relevant field, such as Dentistry, Education, Business, or a related discipline. Doctor of Dental Surgery preferred.
• Additional certifications or qualifications in dental education, instructional design, or a related field are highly desirable.
• Professional Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in a leadership role within the dental industry, with a focus on education strategy development and Key Opinion Leader (KOL) engagement.
• Matrix & Team Leadership: Proven track record of effectively operating within a matrix organizational structure.
• Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional teams, particularly in education and KOL management.
• Skills and Competencies: Strong strategic thinking and planning skills with a proven ability to align educational initiatives with broader business objectives.
• Exceptional skills in aligning diverse stakeholders and fostering collaboration for successful execution of business plans and initiatives.
• Ability to cultivate and maintain relationships with Key Opinion Leaders and key educational partners.
• In-depth knowledge of dental education methodologies, technology, and learning principles.
• Proven experience in developing educational curricula, preferably in the dental field.
• Ability to identify emerging KOLs based on data-driven insights and align their contributions with strategic priorities.
• Track record of designing and executing successful educational initiatives to drive product adoption.
• Experience in developing and implementing university engagement strategies.
• Knowledge of grant application processes, student fellowship programs, and ambassador programs within university settings.
• Ability to leverage study outcomes to strengthen the organization's position as a leader in evidence-based dentistry.
• Previous involvement in initiating and overseeing clinical and case studies for evidence enhancement is a plus.

· Additional information:

• This position is located in Chicago, and a minimum of three days of in-office presence is required.

Benefits:

• 401(k) through Fidelity and company matching 10%
• Dental insurance with Delta Dental PPO
• Health insurance BCBS Illinois PPO
• Employee assistance program
• Health savings account
• Company Paid Life Insurance two times the annual salary
• Paid time off, including an extra paid week off the week between Christmas and New Year
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance EyeMed
• Seniority Level
  Mid-Senior level
• Industry
  
  • Medical Equipment Manufacturing
• Employment Type
  Full-time
• Job Functions
  
  • Business Development
  • Education
  • Public