Description
Ardelyx is a publicly traded commercial biopharmaceutical company founded with a mission to discover, develop and commercialize innovative first-in-class medicines that meet significant unmet medical needs. Ardelyx has two commercial products approved in the United States, IBSRELA® (tenapanor) and XPHOZAH® (tenapanor). Ardelyx has agreements for the development and commercialization of tenapanor outside of the U.S. Kyowa Kirin commercializes PHOZEVEL® (tenapanor) for hyperphosphatemia in Japan. A New Drug Application for tenapanor for hyperphosphatemia has been submitted in China with Fosun Pharma. Knight Therapeutics commercializes IBSRELA in Canada.
Associate Director, Thought Leader Liaison
The GI Thought Leader Liaison (TLL) is a field-based marketing, non-sales, position that serves as the key enabler that fosters meaningful engagement between Ardelyx Pharmaceuticals and Gastroenterology Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) in ways that build trust and facilitate consultative relationships with KOLs and allows for gathering of meaningful insights. The successful candidate will inform and advance marketing strategic initiatives, while demonstrating Ardelyx’s commitment to the Gastroenterology space. This role supports irritable bowel syndrome with constipation brand strategy and will possess a high level of clinical knowledge and emotional intelligence.
The TLL will ensure interactions are always within label and consistent with compliance, legal and regulatory guidelines. Liaise between field and home office-based colleagues and KOLs to seek to understand the gastroenterology area, create a collaborative environment of translating insights, and generate a symbiotic platform for marketing strategies. The TLL position will be responsible for attending many designated conferences across the US along with national meetings and customer engagements. This position is responsible for the Eastern portion of the United States.
Responsibilities:
KOL Engagement & Management
- Establish/reinforce Ardelyx with the gastroenterology community
- Develop a KOL engagement strategy by identifying, profiling, cultivating and maintaining long-term relationships with motility/gastroenterology KOLs
- Develop and execute an engagement plan for top KOLs in the region
- Facilitate executive and/or internal engagements with Ardelyx
- Determine strategically aligned opportunities for partnership between KOLs and Ardelyx
- Develop and execute plans surrounding large group practices in the designated area
Market Insights
- Seek to understand KOL perspectives on Ardelyx and IBS-C competitive landscape through interactions and presence at regional and national congresses
- Collate & synthesize insights, identify trends, gaps, product & disease educational needs to support overall brand strategy
- Inform strategic decisions with the brand team
- Work with targeted KOLs to obtain feedback on brand-related marketing strategies/materials
- Participate as member of cross-functional brand team to provide feedback on strategy and tactical execution and novel programming ideas and concepts
- Partner on the facilitation and cross-functional planning, recruitment, and execution of regional and national advisory boards, capturing feedback to inform brand strategy and decisions
- Provide competitive intelligence gained through interactions to help shape strategy
Speaker Bureau and Contracted Activities
- Selection of KOLs/speakers for peer-to-peer programs, symposia, product theaters, training, and other contracted activities
- Assisting with on-label training and development of speakers, consultants, and advisors with approved decks and materials
- Attend programming to observe, coach, and develop the speaker where necessary to ensure compliant and effective execution of peer-to-peer speaker programs and contracted activities
- Partner with brand team on new content creation and content updates, as well as new and innovative programing ideas
- Partner with brand and franchise marketing, professional engagements, ethics & compliance, and agency partners on the execution of peer to peer and contracted activities
- Advocate on behalf of speakers and KOLs, and share feedback internally to continually improve process and experiences
Qualifications:
- 8-10+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry
- Preferred: 3+years of KOL experience
- Preferred: 3+ years of GI experience
- Must possess maturity and excellent interpersonal skills, including receptiveness, responsiveness, and flexibility in interacting with both internal and external collaborators
- Ability to execute against strategic and tactical plans under tight timelines
- Excellent oral and written communication skills must be demonstrated, including ability to deliver presentations, marketing plans, and scientific data to external customers and internal staff
- Ability to assemble and lead cross-functional teams toward a shared vision of success
- Ability to present ideas effectively to individuals or groups, tailoring to the needs of the audience
- Demonstrated organizational skills and project management experience, including strong analytical and planning skills
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Possess strong leadership skills and commit a high degree of influence and trust
- Ability to work independently and schedule priorities to meet set deadlines
- Ability to work exceptionally within a fast-paced hybrid of in-person and virtual environments
- Professional experience in one or more of the following clinical education, thought leader management, marketing or clinical experience in the same or related therapeutic area, experience in creating or executing marketing strategies, plans and tactics
Travel Requirements
- Significant travel including up to 40% of any month, including evenings and weekends
- Reside within the geographic area of the assigned territory
The anticipated annualized base pay range for this full-time position is $184,548 - $225,558. Ardelyx utilizes industry data to ensure that our compensation is competitive and aligned with our industry peers. Actual base pay will be determined based on a variety of factors, including years of relevant experience, training, qualifications, and internal equity. The compensation package may also include
an annual bonus target and equity awards, subject to eligibility and other requirements.
Ardelyx also offers a robust benefits package to employees, including a 401(k) plan with generous employer match, 12 weeks of paid parental leave, up to 12 weeks living organ and bone marrow leave, equity incentive plans, health plans (medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision), life insurance and disability, flexible time off, annual Winter Holiday shut down, and at least 11 paid holidays.
Ardelyx is an equal opportunity employer.
