Executive Neuroscience Sales Specialist - Wisconsin

About Acadia Pharmaceuticals

Acadia is advancing breakthroughs in neuroscience to elevate life. For 30 years we have been working at the forefront of healthcare to bring vital solutions to people who need them most. We developed and commercialized the first and only FDA-approved drug to treat hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s disease psychosis and the first and only FDA-approved drug for the treatment of Rett syndrome. Our clinical-stage development efforts are focused on Prader-Willi syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease psychosis and multiple other programs targeting neuropsychiatric symptoms in central nervous system disorders. For more information, visit us at Acadia.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X.

Position Summary:

Responsible for all aspects of managing assigned sales territory, including selling products and addressing customer needs. 

Primary Responsibilities:

• Effectively impacts existing and new customers by providing exceptional value and service in an in-person setting, which ultimately helps providers to identify and start appropriate patients on therapy.
• Educates physicians and physicians’ staff on the value of the Company’s products for patient care in an effective and compliant manner.
• Utilizes knowledge, critical thinking, and dialogue skills to deliver meaningful customer experiences that result in satisfaction, equity, and loyalty.
• Anticipates, identifies, and appropriately addresses healthcare professionals (HCP) objections, questions, and concerns.
• Utilizes appropriate techniques to gain consistent access to customers.
• Utilizes appropriate sales aids, clinical reprints, approved brand content etc. according to training and compliance policies.  Tailors appropriate resources and information depending on customer needs.
• Develops strong relationships with HCP customers including key opinion leaders’ (KOLs’) within the territory.
• Identifies and investigates customer concerns and communicates with appropriate staff to solve problems in a timely manner.
• Analyzes sales potential and then executes in the territory to ensure appropriate calls, reach, frequency, business meals, speaker programs, etc. to achieve consistently strong business results.  Works within given budgets and policy guidelines.
• Analyzes, evaluates, and adjusts as needed to develop effective quarterly business/action plans.
• Prepares and submits timely reports of business transactions and keeps accurate expense account records.
• Provides appropriate guidance around pricing and reimbursement for promoted products to customers.  Acts as liaison between customers and Company when specific reimbursement questions arise.
• Communicates and collaborates with sales management and region/area teammates, as well as cross-functional teammates (i.e. managed markets, operations, sales training, marketing, etc.) as business needs dictate.
• Attends conferences, trainings, exhibits, meetings, and product launches as required.
• Takes on leadership opportunities as appropriate, and consistently operates with a positive, collaborative attitude.
• Remains compliant with all regulations in the course of carrying out responsibilities.
• May participate in the training of new Sales Specialists in the field.
• May participate in training activities during Area, Regional and National meetings.
• Consistently carries out responsibilities with a high degree of excellence, proficiency and professionalism.
• May participate in cross functional projects affecting area, regional and commercial objectives.
• May provide mentoring support to new and/or junior Sales Specialists.
• Provides field strategic insights.
• Other duties as assigned.

Selling Responsibilities

• Proudly represent Acadia and its culture, mission, and values
• Meet or exceed sales expectations
• Exhibit a firm understanding of the selling process
• Develop and execute territory business plans
• Execute both in-person and virtual meetings, prioritizing in-territory Face to Face customer interactions.
• Exercise professionalism, leadership, and teamwork at all times
• Adhere to all Acadia company policies.

Customer Service

• Partner and build relationships with customers in an in-person setting to understand and meet their needs – including providing disease, product, and reimbursement information
• Interact and sell to the entire spectrum of applicable customer types, including staff, nursing, physicians, and other healthcare professionals
• Provide approved resources to customers as appropriate, including product samples, clinical trial data, and patient brochures
• Manage relationships with important customers, including key opinion leaders, Acadia speakers, local medical societies and advocacy groups, long-term care facilities, local and regional payers, pharmacists, etc.

Knowledge

• Develop deep neuroscience and Acadia product knowledge, and an strong understanding of local and regional market trends 
• Aggressively pursue ongoing personal development 
• Earn a reputation throughout the neuroscience medical community as a subject-matter expert and a valued resource
• Disease state and product information expert
• Fundamental experience using Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
• Proficient competency utilizing web-based platforms (e.g. WebEx, Zoom) for effective virtual customer engagement.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required, with an emphasis in the life sciences preferred.
• To qualify for Sales Specialist requires 2 years of sales experience with at least 1 year in pharmaceutical, and/or other related healthcare sales, with an emphasis on neuroscience preferred.
• To qualify for Sr. Specialist level, requires a minimum of 5 years of healthcare sales with at least 2 years of experience in complex or account-based selling environments is required.
• To qualify for Executive level, requires a minimum of 8 years of healthcare sales with at least 3 years of experience in complex or account-based selling environments is required.
• Experience with specialty distribution (specialty hub and reimbursement), partnering with customers/stakeholders such as key opinion leaders, academic institutions, centers of excellence, hospitals, long-term care, nurses, advocacy organizations and patients/caregivers in therapeutic areas such as neurology (movement disorders) and psychiatry (antipsychotics) strongly desired.
• Must be in good standing with the FDA and OIG.
• Demonstrated advanced selling skills and ability to dialogue effectively with customers
• Demonstrated strong leadership ability
• In depth knowledge of the Total Account Call and proficient ability to influence diverse customer types across the health care provider landscape.
• Strong understanding of payer dynamics, including Part D access and Specialty Pharmacy/Hub distribution.
• Demonstrate a higher level of curiosity with strong coachability.
• Strong aptitude for change agility, learning agility, continuous improvement, accountability, and grit.
• Ability to effectively work independently and consistently deliver strong results in a highly empowered as well as fast-paced organizational environment.
• Strong persuasive selling and negotiation skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to build and maintain lasting relationships with key customers and build networks within the neuroscience community
• Ability to demonstrate exceptional disease state and product knowledge
• Ability to anticipate future business opportunities and customer needs, operating with a business ownership mentality
• Demonstrated ability to learn and apply technical/scientific knowledge and business analyses
• Organization, initiative, and self-motivation
• Consistently models professionalism, integrity, and the ability to comply to strict policy, work in a highly regulated environment, and maintain confidential information and data
• Must live within the territory or within 30 miles of the territory border.  Depending on the territory’s geography and work requirements, may also be required to live within a reasonable distance to a major airport
• Must possess a valid driver's license and maintenance of an acceptable driving record. Must follow all applicable guidelines as set forth in the Company Fleet Management Program including periodic DMV reviews
• Requires significant and extensive driving of company provided car on a daily basis as well as overnight travel depending on the territory’s geography.  Air travel also required, based on territory’s geography, to the Company’s headquarters and for regional and national meetings and events.
• Meet all local, state, and federal vaccination requirements for admittance into local Community HCP Offices and Long Term Care Facilities, as well as for attendance at Medical Congresses and Local Conferences for in person participation and exhibiting.

Scope:

Having wide-ranging experience, uses professional concepts and company objectives to resolve complex issues in creative and effective ways, exercising judgment in selecting methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for obtaining results.  Works on complex issues where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors. 

Physical Requirements:

This role requires regular standing, walking, sitting, and the use of hands for handling or operating equipment. The employee may also be required to reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and maintain visual, verbal, and auditory communication both in a standard office environment and while working independently from remote locations.  Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.  Ability to personally drive and remain eligible for a company provided car for day to day work requirements and to travel by airplane independently as needed.  Travel up to 80% of the time (depending on territory geography) and work after hours if required by travel schedule or business issues.  Must live within the territory or within 30 miles of the territory border.  Depending on the territory’s geography and work requirements, may also be required to live within a reasonable distance to a major airport.

Employee must meet any independent vaccination requirements that our clients and client facilities may have.

Position levels:

• Sales Specialist: $115,000.00-requires 2 years of sales experience with at least 1 year in pharmaceutical, and/or other related healthcare sales, with an emphasis on neuroscience preferred.
• Sr. Sales Specialist: $131,000.00- requires a minimum of 5 years of healthcare sales with at least 2 years of experience in complex or account-based selling environments is required.
• Executive Sales Specialist: $147,000.00- requires a minimum of 8 years of healthcare sales with at least 3 years of experience in complex or account-based selling environments is required.

What we offer you (US-Based Employees):

• Competitive base, bonus, new hire and ongoing equity packages
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) Plan with a fully vested company match 1:1 up to 5%
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan with a 2-year purchase price lock-in
• 15+ vacation days
• 14 paid holidays plus one floating holiday of your choice, including office closure between December 24th and January 1st
• 10 days of paid sick time
• Paid parental leave
• Tuition assistance

EEO Statement (US-Based Employees): Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every single one of the qualifications in the exact way they are described in job postings. We are committed to building a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and innovative company and we are looking for the BEST candidate for the job. That candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background or may meet the qualifications in a different way. We would strongly encourage you to apply – especially if the reason you are the best candidate isn’t exactly as we describe it here.

It is the policy of Acadia to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and employment applicants without regard to considerations of race, including related to hairstyle, color, religion or religious creed, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, gender transition, country of origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, legally-protected medical condition or information, marital status, domestic partner status, family care status, military caregiver status, veteran or military status (including reserve status, National Guard status, and military service or obligation), status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, enrollment in a public assistance program, or any basis protected under federal, state or local law.

As an equal opportunity employer, Acadia is committed to a diverse workforce. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. Furthermore, you may request additional support if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access Acadia’s career website due to your disability, along with any accommodations throughout the interview process. To request or inquire about your reasonable accommodation, please complete our Reasonable Accommodation Request Form or contact us at talentacquisition@acadia-pharm.com or 858-261-2923.

Please note that reasonable accommodations granted throughout the recruiting process are not guaranteed to be the same accommodation given if hired. A new request will need to be submitted for any ADA accommodations after starting employment.

Notice for California Applicants: Please see our California Applicant Privacy Notice within our Privacy Policy.

Notice to Search Firms/Third-Party Recruitment Agencies (Recruiters): The Talent Acquisition team manages the recruitment and employment process for Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“Acadia”). Acadia does not accept resumes from recruiters or search firms without an executed search agreement in place. Resumes sent to Acadia employees in absence of an executed search agreement will not obligate Acadia in any way with the respect to the future employment of those individuals or potential remuneration to any recruiter or search firm. Candidates should never be submitted directly to our hiring managers or employees.