Associate Director, Product Marketing

Role Summary

Role: Associate Director, Product Marketing at Akebia, based in Cambridge, MA (hybrid), responsible for driving adoption and sustained growth of the recently launched Vafseo. This role focuses on executing brand strategies, optimizing launch performance, deepening engagement with key nephrology stakeholders, and implementing AI-enabled tools to support operational efficiencies. The ideal candidate is a hands-on, data-driven marketer who translates insights into compelling value stories, combines strategic thinking with tactical execution, and has experience or interest in AI technologies. You will partner with Field Sales, Sales Training, Commercial Analytics, Legal, Regulatory, and Medical Affairs to develop and execute marketing programs. Travel up to 15% domestically is expected.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of personal promotion strategy and creation of all assets and content for HCPs and patients, collaborate effectively with Promotional Review Committee (PRC) partners.
• Measure and optimize promotional material effectiveness.
• Work with the broader Marketing team and agency partners to refine and implement post-launch brand strategies and positioning that continue to build awareness, reinforce clinical value, and support long-term therapy use.
• Lead implementation of AI-enabled solution(s) to increase promotional effectiveness and operational efficiencies
• Lead activities and materials supporting field sales, sales training team, and national accounts
• Champion strategic project initiatives to support future brand growth
• Drive agency activities to ensure tactics align with broader strategy and meet timelines/budget
• Ensure alignment across brand messaging, promotional materials, and customer engagement initiatives.
• Lead advisory boards, congresses, and symposia to strengthen scientific and brand credibility.
• Manage marketing budget and external partners efficiently.
• Lead development of annual brand plan for all personal promotion activities.

Qualifications

• Required: Bachelor's Degree
• Required: 7+ years of professional experience in pharmaceutical marketing, renal experience a plus
• Required: Minimum of 3 years of HCP or patient product management experience
• Preferred: MBA
• Preferred: Go-to-market execution – support performance optimization for Vafseo.
• Preferred: Cross-functional leadership – influence and collaborate effectively with Promotional Review Committee (PRC) partners.
• Preferred: Stakeholder influence – communicate persuasively with other internal teams and external agencies.
• Preferred: Forecasting & financial acumen – manage Marketing budget and align spend with commercial impact.
• Preferred: Sales enablement – create impactful tools and support training/rollout to the Key Account Managers (KAMs)
• Preferred: Agency management – direct creative partners effectively.
• Preferred: Communication – strong written and presentation skills.