Rare Disease Account Specialist, West

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; delivering promotional messages to advocate for people with Alexander disease (AxD). Educates external Healthcare Professionals about the approved AxD indication and clinical information and the appropriate use of zilganersen once FDA approved. Supports healthcare provider offices with access & reimbursement support in a compliant manner. (All statements are dependent upon zilganersen approval.)

RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Build and execute effective business plans by leveraging local healthcare networks to meet customer and company goals
- Provide reimbursement support for COE reimbursement questions (ad-hoc support for other injection sites may be covered)
- Conduct proactive account management (~20% effort) and ad-hoc support for key stakeholders (within COEs; injection sites ad-hoc)
- Increase awareness of AxD and promote on-label clinical data to drive demand
- Provide “surround sound” support by engaging key accounts/COEs and collaborating with field teams to enhance HCP awareness and experience
- Track sales performance and gather market insights to improve patient outcomes
- Manage COE accounts and logistics for intrathecal administration
- Educate HCPs/COEs/office staff on zilganersen (brand messages, efficacy, safety) using approved materials, with focus on appropriate patient identification
- Educate on the zilganersen access process, including high-level steps, payer 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 instill urgency to refer/treat AxD appropriately
- Create a positive prescribing and access support experience for HCPs and accounts
- Educate on Ionis patient services offerings to encourage program utilization
- Participate in conferences and scientific meetings to educate HCPs on AxD disease state and treatment
- Gather insights to profile accounts and inform sales/marketing strategy
- Understand local market dynamics and identify drivers/barriers for AxD patients/accounts
- Identify, validate, and document potential HCPs treating AxD patients
- Execute territory strategic plans to maximize business/patient opportunities and customer satisfaction
- Develop and adjust customer/account strategic plans based on brand requirements and customer needs
- 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/post-launch visits
- Participate in training to understand zilganersen/brand messaging, AxD disease state, and customer engagement tactics
- Understand the patient journey and apply insights to customer/account strategy
- Strengthen knowledge of evolving payer landscape/policies
- Certify on approved label, compliance training, and applicable customer engagement policies
- Comply with company policies and the Ionis Code of Ethics and Business Conduct
- Collaborate with other Account Specialists and field teams (e.g., Patient Education Managers, Field Medical Directors)
- Share learnings with leadership as appropriate
- Use available platforms/technology to engage customers through multiple channels
- Partner on accounts with multi-specialty, multi-geography patients

REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor’s degree with at least 12 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 knowledge of the healthcare ecosystem, including market access and payer reimbursement policies for rare disease products
- Extensive knowledge of key Centers of Excellence and ability to navigate complex accounts
- Analytical skills to build product and disease-state knowledge (including competitor products)
- Self-driven, able to solve diverse customer challenges with integrity and in a compliant manner
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- Proven track record of meeting/exceeding quantitative and qualitative targets compliantly
- Solid understanding of and adherence to external laws/codes and company policies for appropriate interaction with healthcare professionals
- Travel ~50% within assigned territory (West / North-East / South-Central)

PREFERRED:
- Master’s and/or advanced degrees (e.g., MBA, PhD, PharmD) with at least 8 years of related experience

BENEFITS / COMPENSATION:
- Pay scale: $177,000 to $200,000
- Excellent benefits package (details referenced by “Ionis Benefits”)

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
None provided in the job posting text.