Rare Disease Account Specialist, Northeast

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, key account management and product logistics, and AxD promotional messaging to advocate for people suffering from Alexander disease (AxD). Represents the organization in the AxD community by educating external healthcare professionals about the approved indication and clinical information and the appropriate use of zilganersen once FDA approval is granted. Supports healthcare provider offices with compliant access and reimbursement support. Role responsibilities are dependent upon zilganersen approval.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Build and execute effective business plans by leveraging networks and relationships in the local healthcare system to meet customer and Ionis goals.
- Provide reimbursement support for questions from COEs (ad-hoc support for other injection sites may be covered).
- Manage stakeholders (~20% proactive account management plus ad-hoc support within COEs; may include injection sites).
- Increase AxD awareness and promote on-label clinical data to drive demand.
- Surround sound support: collaborate with key accounts/COEs and field team to enhance HCP awareness, support, and overall experience.
- Track sales performance and gather market insights to improve patient outcomes.
- COE account management and logistics for intrathecal administration.
- Educate HCPs, COEs, and office staff on zilganersen brand messages, efficacy, and safety using approved materials, focusing on appropriate patient identification.
- Educate HCPs and office staff on the zilganersen access process (high-level steps, payer-specific coverage policies, and typical challenges).
- Use patient hub/specialty pharmacy data to provide patient access status updates to customers.
- Raise AxD disease-state awareness, educate on patient need, and encourage appropriate referral/treatment.
- Provide positive prescribing and access support experience for HCPs and accounts.
- Educate on Ionis patient services offerings to encourage participation and appropriate program utilization.
- Participate in conferences and scientific meetings to educate HCPs on AxD disease state and treatment.
- Market knowledge: gather insights to profile accounts; understand local market drivers/barriers; identify/validate/document potential AxD-treating HCPs for commercial strategy.
- Account planning/strategy: develop and execute customer/account-focused territory plans; build insight-driven tactics based on brand and customer needs; adjust strategies to meet territory business goals; develop strategic account plans with field team and brand leadership; build Ionis champions.
- [Before launch only] Create launch day engagement plan and schedule customer meetings/visits post-launch.
- Training: participate in field meetings/training to understand zilganersen messaging, AxD disease state, and engagement tactics; understand and apply patient journey learnings; strengthen knowledge of evolving payer landscape and policies; certify on approved label, compliance training, and applicable customer engagement policies; adhere to company policies/procedures and Ionis Code of Ethics and Business Conduct.
- Teamwork: collaborate with other Account Specialists and field teams (e.g., Patient Education Managers, Field Medical Directors); share learnings with leadership and cross-functional teams; use available platforms/technology to engage via multiple channels; partner on accounts with multi-specialty/multi-geography patients.

REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor’s degree with at least 12 years of related experience.
- Master’s and/or advanced degrees (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, including:
- 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 comprehension of the healthcare ecosystem, including market access landscape and payer reimbursement policies for rare disease products.
- Extensive knowledge of key Centers of Excellence and ability to navigate complex accounts with demonstrated success.
- Analytical skills to build product knowledge competency (pharmaceuticals, competitor products, and relevant disease states).
- Self-driven ability to solve a wide array of customer challenges in an integrity-compliant manner.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Proven track record of meeting/exceeding financial and/or other quantitative and qualitative targets.
- Solid understanding of and adherence to external laws/codes and company policies applicable to healthcare industry interactions.
- Travel ~50% based on territory geography (West / North-East / South-Central).

BENEFITS / PAY:
- Pay scale: $177,000 to $200,000.
- Ionis offers an excellent benefits package.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
- Follow the benefits link for more details (Ionis Benefits).