Rare Disease Account Specialist, Central
Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
1 month ago
Remote friendly (Dallas, TX)
United States
$177,000 - $200,000 USD yearly
Sales
RARE DISEASE ACCOUNT SPECIALIST - ZILGANERSEN
SUMMARY:
Field-based account specialist responsible for building and managing long-term relationships with physicians, Centers of Excellence (COEs), and other customers in an assigned territory. Hybrid role providing access/reimbursement support and product/disease education, including promotional messaging to advocate for people suffering from Alexander disease (AxD). Educates external HCPs on the approved AxD indication/clinical information and appropriate use of zilganersen following FDA approval. Supports healthcare provider offices with access & reimbursement support in a compliant manner. (Roles depend on zilganersen approval.)
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Build and execute effective business plans to meet customer and company goals.
- Provide reimbursement support for COEs (other injection sites may be covered ad-hoc).
- Proactively manage key stakeholders (~20% effort) and provide ad-hoc support.
- Increase AxD awareness and promote on-label clinical data to drive demand.
- Provide “surround sound” engagement by collaborating with accounts/COEs and field teams to enhance HCP awareness and experience.
- Track sales performance and gather market insights to improve patient outcomes.
- Manage COE accounts and intrathecal administration logistics.
- Educate HCPs/COEs/office staff on zilganersen (brand messages, efficacy, safety) using approved materials, including appropriate patient identification.
- Educate on zilganersen access process, including coverage policies and typical challenges.
- Use patient hub/specialty pharmacy data to provide patient access status updates.
- Raise AxD disease-state awareness; educate on patient need and appropriate referral/treatment.
- Create positive prescribing and access support experience.
- Educate on patient services offerings to encourage appropriate program utilization.
- Participate in conferences and scientific meetings to educate HCPs.
- Gather insights to profile accounts and inform leadership/marketing on sales and marketing strategy.
- Understand local market drivers/barriers for AxD patients and accounts.
- Identify/validate/document potential HCPs treating AxD patients.
- Develop and execute customer/account-focused territory strategic plans to maximize business/patient opportunities and satisfaction.
- Build insight-driven tactics anticipating current/future customer needs.
- Adjust strategies to meet territory goals.
- Develop strategic account plans with field team and brand leadership.
- Build Ionis champions; [Before launch only] develop launch-day engagement plan and schedule post-launch meetings/visits.
- Participate in field meetings/training; understand brand messaging, AxD disease state, and customer engagement tactics.
- Apply learnings from the patient journey to customer/account strategy.
- Stay current on evolving payer landscape and policies.
- Certify on approved label, compliance training, and applicable customer engagement policies.
- Collaborate with other field teams (e.g., Patient Education Managers, Field Medical Directors) and share learnings with leadership as appropriate.
- Use platforms/technology to engage customers through multiple channels.
- Partner on accounts with patients across multiple specialties and geographies.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor’s degree with at least 12 years of related experience.
- Master’s and/or advanced degree (e.g., MBA, PhD, PharmD) preferred with at least 8 years of related experience.
- At least 4+ years of experience in Pharma sales or Field Reimbursement and/or access roles across:
- Neurology or rare diseases and product launches
- COE, HCP, and IDN engagement
- Cross-functional field team coordination
- Successful launch experience
- Customer reimbursement and drug access education/support
- Extensive understanding of the healthcare ecosystem, including market access and payer reimbursement policies for rare disease products.
- Extensive knowledge of key COEs and demonstrated ability navigating complex accounts.
- Analytical skills to build product knowledge (pharmaceuticals, competitors) and relevant disease states.
- Self-driven, able to solve a range of customer challenges with integrity and compliance.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Proven track record meeting/exceeding quantitative and qualitative targets.
- Solid understanding of and adherence to external laws/codes/company policies and proper interaction with healthcare professionals.
- Travel ~50% within territory (West / North-East / South-Central).
PREFERRED SKILLS:
- Master’s and/or advanced degree (e.g., MBA, PhD, PharmD).
COMPENSATION:
- Pay scale: $177,000 to $200,000.
BENEFITS:
- “Ionis offers an excellent benefits package” (details via Ionis Benefits link).
SUMMARY:
Field-based account specialist responsible for building and managing long-term relationships with physicians, Centers of Excellence (COEs), and other customers in an assigned territory. Hybrid role providing access/reimbursement support and product/disease education, including promotional messaging to advocate for people suffering from Alexander disease (AxD). Educates external HCPs on the approved AxD indication/clinical information and appropriate use of zilganersen following FDA approval. Supports healthcare provider offices with access & reimbursement support in a compliant manner. (Roles depend on zilganersen approval.)
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Build and execute effective business plans to meet customer and company goals.
- Provide reimbursement support for COEs (other injection sites may be covered ad-hoc).
- Proactively manage key stakeholders (~20% effort) and provide ad-hoc support.
- Increase AxD awareness and promote on-label clinical data to drive demand.
- Provide “surround sound” engagement by collaborating with accounts/COEs and field teams to enhance HCP awareness and experience.
- Track sales performance and gather market insights to improve patient outcomes.
- Manage COE accounts and intrathecal administration logistics.
- Educate HCPs/COEs/office staff on zilganersen (brand messages, efficacy, safety) using approved materials, including appropriate patient identification.
- Educate on zilganersen access process, including coverage policies and typical challenges.
- Use patient hub/specialty pharmacy data to provide patient access status updates.
- Raise AxD disease-state awareness; educate on patient need and appropriate referral/treatment.
- Create positive prescribing and access support experience.
- Educate on patient services offerings to encourage appropriate program utilization.
- Participate in conferences and scientific meetings to educate HCPs.
- Gather insights to profile accounts and inform leadership/marketing on sales and marketing strategy.
- Understand local market drivers/barriers for AxD patients and accounts.
- Identify/validate/document potential HCPs treating AxD patients.
- Develop and execute customer/account-focused territory strategic plans to maximize business/patient opportunities and satisfaction.
- Build insight-driven tactics anticipating current/future customer needs.
- Adjust strategies to meet territory goals.
- Develop strategic account plans with field team and brand leadership.
- Build Ionis champions; [Before launch only] develop launch-day engagement plan and schedule post-launch meetings/visits.
- Participate in field meetings/training; understand brand messaging, AxD disease state, and customer engagement tactics.
- Apply learnings from the patient journey to customer/account strategy.
- Stay current on evolving payer landscape and policies.
- Certify on approved label, compliance training, and applicable customer engagement policies.
- Collaborate with other field teams (e.g., Patient Education Managers, Field Medical Directors) and share learnings with leadership as appropriate.
- Use platforms/technology to engage customers through multiple channels.
- Partner on accounts with patients across multiple specialties and geographies.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor’s degree with at least 12 years of related experience.
- Master’s and/or advanced degree (e.g., MBA, PhD, PharmD) preferred with at least 8 years of related experience.
- At least 4+ years of experience in Pharma sales or Field Reimbursement and/or access roles across:
- Neurology or rare diseases and product launches
- COE, HCP, and IDN engagement
- Cross-functional field team coordination
- Successful launch experience
- Customer reimbursement and drug access education/support
- Extensive understanding of the healthcare ecosystem, including market access and payer reimbursement policies for rare disease products.
- Extensive knowledge of key COEs and demonstrated ability navigating complex accounts.
- Analytical skills to build product knowledge (pharmaceuticals, competitors) and relevant disease states.
- Self-driven, able to solve a range of customer challenges with integrity and compliance.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Proven track record meeting/exceeding quantitative and qualitative targets.
- Solid understanding of and adherence to external laws/codes/company policies and proper interaction with healthcare professionals.
- Travel ~50% within territory (West / North-East / South-Central).
PREFERRED SKILLS:
- Master’s and/or advanced degree (e.g., MBA, PhD, PharmD).
COMPENSATION:
- Pay scale: $177,000 to $200,000.
BENEFITS:
- “Ionis offers an excellent benefits package” (details via Ionis Benefits link).