Rare Disease Business Manager - Durham, NC

Role Summary

The Rare Disease Business Manager (RDBM) drives sales and territory growth for a rare neurological sleep disorder (narcolepsy type 1) in Durham, NC. The role collaborates with regional leadership and cross-functional teams to educate healthcare providers and ensure patient access to a new therapy once approved. Reporting to a Regional Business Leader, the RDBM will support a new product introduction in a new therapeutic area for Takeda and build relationships with targeted HCPs and accounts within the geographic territory. After regulatory approval, the RDBM will educate clinicians on the product, the orexin system, and narcolepsy type 1 to generate demand.

Responsibilities

• Results Focused: Demonstrates urgency to drive results and achieve strong performance by delivering a high level of sales effort necessary for a successful rare disease product introduction.
• Clinical Expertise: Possesses and delivers disease-state knowledge, product knowledge, and selling skills to support product education and drive demand with HCPs.
• Sales Strategy and Execution: Following approval, drive sales by implementing sales and marketing plans, using on-label materials to achieve monthly, quarterly, and annual sales goals; execute brand strategies and manage all business activities within the territory to advance NT1 diagnosis and treatment.
• Specialty Customer Engagement: Builds strong relationships with HCPs—including sleep specialists, neurologists, pulmonologists, sleep centers and clinic staff—and educates them on disease state and approved Takeda orexin therapies.
• Strategic Analysis and Territory Planning: Analyzes local, regional, and national trends and applies data to identify opportunities and prioritize initiatives; tailors regional and local strategies to market needs.
• Communication Skills: Employs strong communication in discussions with specialty HCPs and accounts; uses CRM to document account profiles, pre-call plans, and post-call activities.
• Financial Responsibility: Manages a territory budget in line with Takeda compliance policies.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partners with Patient Access, Market Access, Marketing, and Sales leadership to align on strategies and tactics; fosters accountability and collaboration across teams.
• Compliance and Ethical Standards: Upholds Takeda’s patient-first values and adheres to all compliance policies and applicable laws; seeks clarification when unsure on compliance matters.

Qualifications

• Required: Bachelor's degree – BS/BA.
• Required: 3+ years of successful selling experience in pharmaceutical, biotech or medical device and/or relevant clinical or industry experience; OR 2+ years of successful selling experience at Takeda.
• Required: Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Required: Proven ability to navigate a complex selling environment and influence across various decision makers in key accounts.
• Required: Strong business acumen and strategic planning skills to identify and execute selling opportunities.
• Required: Demonstrated territory planning, strategic account management and prioritization skills; ability to interpret analytical data to create effective sales strategies.
• Required: Strong collaborative skills and ability to work within a matrix of cross-functional partners on behalf of customers.
• Required: Understanding of payer access and reimbursement at territory, regional, and state levels.
• Required: Adaptability to changing market conditions and customer needs.
• Required: Demonstrated learning agility with the ability to develop and apply clinical expertise and selling skills compliantly.
• Required: Must reside within the territory or within close proximity to the assigned geography.
• Preferred: 5+ years of pharmaceutical sales experience, preferably in rare disease or sleep disorders.
• Preferred: Sales experience with pharmaceutical or biologic products requiring coordination with patient access and market access teams.
• Preferred: Relevant clinical or industry experience.
• Preferred: Consultative / needs-based selling skills.
• Preferred: Experience working in a highly regulated marketplace.
• Preferred: Adept at leveraging emerging technologies, digital tools, and openness to AI-enabled processes.
• Licenses/Certifications: Valid Driver's License.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree – BS/BA.

Additional Requirements

• Travel: Ability to drive and/or fly to accounts and occasional business meetings.
• Travel: Some overnight travel of up to 25-50% may be required depending on geographic assignment.