National Sales Director Growth-Rare Endocrine - Job ID: 1509

Ascendis Pharma is a dynamic, fast-growing global biopharmaceutical company with locations in Denmark, Europe, and the United States. Today, we're advancing programs in Endocrinology Rare Disease and Oncology. Here at Ascendis, we pride ourselves on exceptional science, visionary leadership, and skilled and passionate colleagues. Guided by our core values of Patients, Science, and Passion, we use our TransCon® drug development platform to fulfill our mission of developing new and potentially best-in-class therapies to address unmet medical needs.

Our culture fosters a place where skilled, adaptable, and highly resourceful professionals can truly make their mark. We offer a dynamic workplace for employees to grow and develop their skills. Here you will be a contributor to our Vision 2030 Mission to be the leading Endocrinology Rare Disease Company while creating value in additional therapeutic areas through innovative business models and differentiating with Ascendis fundamentals.

The National Sales Director Growth-Rare Endocrine will be a key member of the Sales Leadership Team and will have an exciting opportunity to lead Ascendis Pharma’s Sales Growth Team in the rare endocrine disease area.  The position will be responsible for leading the team to meet or exceed all assigned goals, by maximizing the effectiveness and productivity of the Regional Business Directors (and their teams). The National Sales Director Growth-Rare Endocrine must maintain compliance with Ascendis Pharma’s policies that govern field sales activity and lead their teams to be compliant as well.

The role also requires the ability to create a culture of winning, to coach and develop, manage performance, to recruit and hire and collaborate/ strategize with members of the Market Access, Reimbursement, in a compliant way, Medical Affairs teams and other internal stakeholders.  This position will report directly to the US General Manager.

The National Sales Director Growth-Rare Endocrine will lead a team of Regional Business Directors and act as liaisons between field sales and the various internal departments whose work impacts or is impacted by field activity. As a conduit of information to and from the field, the National Sales Director Growth-Rare Endocrine must exhibit understanding of how changes in the industry, or within Ascendis Pharma, affect their team’s approach to selling. As a way of maintaining high motivation and commitment from the sales team, they must, at times, act to transfer information from corporate, translating it into terms that can be easily understood and accepted. This role also is responsible for overall budget management and coordination of corporate support to achieve sales goals.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Execution

• The National Sales Director Growth-Rare Endocrine will establish rigorous business fundamentals and metrics, set high performance standards and meet or exceed sales goals across the Sales Growth Team.
• The National Sales Director Growth-Rare Endocrine will create impact by successfully leading, coaching and motivating the high-performance Regional Business Directors, adapting quickly to launch needs/adjustments and navigating a dynamic and evolving market, to achieve and exceed expected results in a complex specialty environment.
• Coaching RSDs in line with Ascendis Pharma’s sales model to drive sustained improvement in core sales competencies; this to include clinical, product, business acumen as well as reimbursement skillsets. Routinely participate in Sales field rides, target planning, territory alignment and develop employees based on results.
• Develop the national sales plan that aligns to organizational goals, leveraging analysis and interpretation of general economic, industry, marketing and sales data.
• Ensures the timely and accurate completion of all territory and national level administrative tasks, including expense reporting, program funding requests and management communications.

Requirements

  Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• BA/BS degree required.

• Minimum 15 years life-sciences sales and commercial experience required, with at least 5 years of direct people leadership experience in rare disease/ specialty biopharma preferred.

• Broad commercial breadth of work experience, which may include Sales, Marketing, Training, Market Access, etc., preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute innovative, comprehensive and successful sales strategies and plans and communicate them clearly and effectively within the organization to gain alignment and drive results through a focused and disciplined approach. Proven sales performance as evidenced by % to quota, ranking reports and recognition awards. Expert at navigating complex key account management and success in pulling through sales, leveraging relationships at all levels and layers within the process required.
• Collaborative leader and organizationally savvy team player with a track record of successfully leading, influencing and motivating high performance teams to achieve results. Proven experience leading others through change in highly complicated and competitive environment required.
• Ability to build, engage and motivate and coach highly effective cross-functional teams. Exceptional leadership skills with both direct-line and within a matrix management setting. Demonstrated ability to lead people and get results through others; ability to foster and inspire change in individuals and organizations. Demonstrated track record of coaching and developing next-generation leaders. Influence across functional and regional boundaries.

• Candidates must demonstrate a consistent track record of success (Top 20% performance). President’s Club or other top tier awards required.

• Experience working with products distributed via specialty pharmacies and supported by patient services/ hubs preferred.

• Independent thinker with analytical savvy. Ability to quickly analyze numbers, draw conclusions and exhibit solid problem solving. Financially savvy. Proven financial planning and budget management capabilities.
• Experience selling into the endocrinology market, rare disease and/or specialty sales experience, as well as selling into hospital systems is required.
• Product launch experience required.
• Polished executive presence and exceptional interpersonal and communication skills (verbal, written and presentation) to effectively address individuals across all levels. Adept at presenting/discussing business performance with executive management team
• Entrepreneurial attitude and/or experience in a start-up environment.
• Demonstrably High EQ. Ability to build consensus between multiple constituents. Track record of establishing effective relationships through mutual respect and trust in dealing with others.
• Comfortable navigating in ambiguity, able to balance process with agility and able to make timely and insightful decisions and to solve problems. Able to prioritize effectively, addressing short-term needs while maintaining a focus on long-term strategies.
• Superior strategic thinking skills, creativity and the capacity to uncover new business opportunities in the absence of complete resources and direction. Resourceful with strong networking skills.
• Autonomous, self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic, “Roll up your sleeves” and Performance Driven culture. Strong motivation to create an impact. High energy, drive for results and passion for winning.
• Champions continuous learning / knowledge with a track record of establishing a culture of accountability and commitment to broad business goals.

• Demonstrated commitment to not only being accountable for own compliance, but also for championing compliance by others.

• Working knowledge of applicable federal and state compliance guidelines & regulations required.
• Skilled in multiple computer applications, e.g. Word, PowerPoint, Excel and other custom CRM and field-based tools required.
• Ability to travel within the Area and to the commercial office in NJ on a frequent overnight basis, with occasional weekend travel, depending on territory needs; 80% travel will be required.
• Driving is an essential duty of the job; Valid driver's license and a good driving record are required and meet the requirements as defined in the Ascendis Pharma Vehicle Program Policy
• Must be able to comply with vendor credentialing requirements imposed by institutions within the assigned geographies, which can include, by way of example only, periodic background checks and drug screening, immunizations, and training, and may vary by institution and change from time-to-time.

A note to recruiters:

We do not allow external search party solicitation.  Presentation of candidates without written permission from the Ascendis Pharma Inc Human Resources team (specifically from: Talent Acquisition Partner or Human Resources Director) is not allowed.  If this occurs your ownership of these candidates will not be acknowledged.

Benefits

• 401(k) plan with company match
• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• Company-offered Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance
• Company-provided short and long-term disability benefits
• Unique offerings of Pet Insurance and Legal Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Discounts
• Professional Development
• Health Saving Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various incentive compensation plans
• Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance  
• Mental Health resources
• Paid leave benefits for new parents