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 is responsible for developing and executing sales and marketing strategies to drive awareness, patient identification, stakeholder engagement, and product uptake in the U.S. market. They will be a key member of the commercial leadership team, shaping the long-term strategy and market presence of the 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

Qualifications

• Required: 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
• Required: Launch Expertise — Proven track record leading U.S. commercial launches for rare disease or specialty care therapies
• Required: Strategic & Operational Balance — Ability to define vision and strategy while also rolling up sleeves to drive tactical execution
• Required: Stakeholder Management — Skilled at influencing and aligning internal stakeholders across multiple functions
• Required: Advocacy Engagement — Deep experience collaborating with rare disease advocacy organizations and patient communities
• Required: Market Understanding — Strong knowledge of U.S. market access, distribution models, and stakeholder dynamics in rare disease environments
• Required: Education — Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or advanced degree preferred
• Required: Travel — Ability to travel is required

Additional Requirements

• Location: On-site in San Francisco and Palo Alto home offices on a weekly basis