Rare Disease Specialist - Louisiana Territory

Territory Includes: LA, AR, MS, and Memphis Metro Area

About Soleno Therapeutics Inc

Soleno Therapeutics, Inc., based in Redwood City, California, is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics for the treatment of rare diseases, including Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS).

At Soleno, we are driven by the unique and multi-faceted needs of the PWS community. Like these individuals, resilience is part of who we are – it is in our chromosomes – and our team is made up of exceptional colleagues whose collective efforts are woven together to deliver meaningful outcomes, both professionally and for those living with PWS.

We value collaboration, integrity, and respect. These characteristics have allowed us to forge strong, authentic bonds with the caregivers, patients, health care professionals (HCPs) and community members we serve. We are proud to work alongside them every step of the way.

Our employees are our most important asset, and we are looking to expand across many functions during this important and pivotal time. We encourage you to join us in making history. We all share the most important goal of bringing solutions to the PWS community. They are waiting.

Summary of Job (brief description)

The Rare Disease Specialist role at Soleno will drive the commercial launch and sales initiatives of Soleno’s leading product candidate, DCCR, for the treatment of Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). You will engage with healthcare professionals at multiple points-of-call and be a familiar and compassionate resource to caregivers and families managing the complex challenges of PWS, building trust and long-term relationships while providing education on Soleno’s therapies. By understanding the unique physical, emotional, and psychological difficulties faced by PWS patients and their caregivers, you'll play a crucial role in supporting their care with empathy and dedication.

Responsibilities

• Engage a well-defined pool of caregivers and medical specialists to build market development, raise brand awareness, and execute a territory strategy/account plan with precision, ensuring product success through launch and beyond.
• Develop a post-launch territory strategy that is rooted in nurturing existing relationships and raising awareness.
• Conduct regular field visits to ensure effective communication and address any issues that arise.
• Engage providers and drive awareness across multiple points of call, including to specialists in neurology, endocrinology, and psychiatry.
• Work to ensure that new and existing patients are identified and enrolled in treatment programs.
• Segment clinics and identify key shareholders within target institutions.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with HCPs, office staff, caregivers, and families. Gather insights and conduct post-call analysis to refine tactics based on the unique territory challenges and dynamics of the rare disease market.
• Demonstrate a high level of emotional intelligence to adapt communication styles to fit the unique demands of HCPs and advocacy groups within the PWS community.
• Routinely monitor and report on territory-level market dynamics and trends, including prescriber opinion, competitive activity, and developments in the PWS landscape.
• Regularly report sales activities, performance metrics, and competitive insights to sales management.
• Proactively foster effective working relationships with internal/external stakeholders at Soleno Therapeutics and drive agreement/decisions from multiple parties.
• Collaborate across all commercial departments, including Patient Services, Medical Affairs, and others, ensuring alignment with external stakeholders in the rare disease space.
• Participate in the development of sales strategies to meet quarterly and annual targets by tailoring tactics to address specific territory challenges.
• Effectively prioritize and manage time, activities, and resources to engage with a network of healthcare professionals specializing in rare diseases.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and industry regulations during all sales activities.
• Maintain a positive and collaborative culture that aligns with the overall sales organization.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of PWS and the healthcare landscape to support customer needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree is required, advanced degree preferred.
• A background in nursing, social worker, nutrition (as a registered dietitian), or a related field with rare disease experience is a plus.
• At least 5-7 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry with a proven track record in sales.
• Previous launch experience highly preferred.
• Prior experience in rare genetic disease or specialty sales is highly preferred.
• A drive to serve the PWS community and a demonstrated compassionate approach to patient care and provider awareness.
• Ability to work and thrive in a fast-paced, startup environment.
• Strong analytical, communication, and influence skills.
• Ability to travel 60% of the time.
• Compliance and regulatory training background preferred.

Salary Range: $185,000-$205,000 

(Actual salary at the time of hire may vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s relevant qualifications, skills, and experience, as well as the location where this position may be filled.)