VP, Sales & Marketing

Role Summary

The Vice President of Sales and Marketing will lead the U.S. launch and commercialization of a pioneering therapy in the rare disease space. This high-impact role will be responsible for developing and executing sales and marketing strategies that drive awareness, patient identification, stakeholder engagement, and successful product uptake for this rare disease program in the U.S. market. We are hiring for 3 Vice President of Sales and Marketing positions and they will report to the Chief Commercial Officer. They will serve as key members of the commercial leadership team and play a central role in shaping the long-term strategy and market presence of our rare disease portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Launch Strategy & Brand Building
• Develop and execute U.S. commercial launch strategies tailored to rare disease markets, including brand positioning, messaging, and multichannel promotional strategies
• Develop and lead the U.S. sales and marketing strategy from commercialization and growth
• Drive all aspects of brand strategy, positioning, messaging, and multichannel marketing plans
• Lead pre-launch and launch activities including KOL engagement, disease awareness campaigns, and patient advocacy partnerships
• Conduct in-depth market analysis including competitive landscape, customer insights, and forecasting
• Translate scientific and clinical data into impactful marketing messages for physicians, patients, and caregivers
• Collaborate with patient advocacy groups to ensure the voice of the patient is integrated into marketing strategies
• Create tailored solutions for rare patient populations, ensuring accessibility, awareness, and education
• Establish differentiated disease awareness and educational campaigns to support early diagnosis and treatment access
• Collaborate with cross-functional launch teams, including Medical Affairs, Market Access, Regulatory, and Clinical Development, to ensure readiness and alignment
• Cross-Functional & External Leadership
• Partner closely with Patient Advocacy, Access & Reimbursement, and Field Medical to ensure cohesive execution of commercial strategy
• Build and nurture strong relationships with external stakeholders, including key opinion leaders (KOLs), advocacy groups, patient organizations, and specialty providers
• Serve as the primary point of contact for marketing agencies, consultants, and vendors supporting the rare disease program
• Team Leadership & Execution
• Hire, lead, and mentor a growing marketing team capable of executing high-impact campaigns in complex and underserved markets
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and patient-centricity throughout the commercial organization
• Ensure all marketing tactics are compliant with regulatory and legal standards, including collaboration with internal Compliance teams
• Program & Budget Oversight
• Oversee the development and management of the rare disease program marketing budget
• Track and evaluate key performance indicators (KPIs) to optimize campaign effectiveness and ROI
• Where You'll Work
• This position will be expected to be on-site in both our San Francisco and Palo Alto home offices on a weekly basis.

Qualifications

• Experience: Minimum 15 years of pharmaceutical/biotech industry experience with at least 5 years in a senior sales and marketing leadership role in rare diseases, orphan drugs, or ultra-rare indications
• Launch Expertise: Proven track record leading U.S. commercial launches for rare disease or specialty care therapies
• Strategic & Operational Balance: Ability to define vision and strategy while also rolling up sleeves to drive tactical execution
• Stakeholder Management: Skilled at influencing and aligning internal stakeholders across multiple functions
• Advocacy Engagement: Deep experience collaborating with rare disease advocacy organizations and patient communities
• Market Understanding: Strong knowledge of U.S. market access, distribution models, and stakeholder dynamics in rare disease environments
• Education: Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or advanced degree preferred
• Travel: Ability to travel is required

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or advanced degree preferred

Additional Requirements

• Travel: Ability to travel is required