Associate Director/Director, Strategic Development & Advocacy Ophthalmology Midwest

This non-sales field marketing role will report directly to the Executive Director, Strategic Development & Advocacy as part of the Commercial Rare Disease Team at ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.  This is an exciting opportunity to be part of our expanded new presence in the retina, ophthalmology and eye-care space.

The Associate Director/Director, Strategic Development & Advocacy (SD&A) holds a critical role in driving advocacy and support for ANI Rare Disease’s three product portfolio in the Retina Ophthalmology space. This entails proactively engaging national and regional Thought Leaders (TLs), forging strategic partnerships with advocacy organizations, and collaborating with relevant entities to gather insights on disease areas and treatment landscapes pertinent to ANI Rare Disease. 

Additionally, the SD&A Ophthalmology lead will collaborate with the Marketing Lead to oversee Commercial Advisory Boards and other consultancy arrangements. This includes establishing needs, selecting healthcare professional participants, and managing the contracting process. Furthermore, they will contribute to promotional Speaker Programs, assisting in speaker bureau member selection and serving as a primary point of contact for speakers. They will also be involved in sponsorships and Patient Advocacy Organizations on behalf of marketing. 

As a distinguished business leader within the team, this individual is expected to excel in cross-functional collaboration, executing Thought Leader engagement plans, and initiating projects to address business needs. They should demonstrate a keen ability to anticipate market trends and uncover competitive intelligence to inform marketing strategy effectively. Success in this role hinges on a collaborative mindset, extensive experience in working with Thought Leaders, and a track record of driving results in alignment with ANI’s ethical business practices. 

Position Responsibilities 

•  Develop and implement corporate objective-based Thought Leader engagement plans to identify and gather insights from current and emerging Thought Leaders in dynamic markets. 

• Track Thought Leader insights that impact the brand and provide feedback to identify market gaps and/or market opportunities to support the development of commercial and marketing strategy, initiatives, and resources. 

• Act as the primary liaison between the company and Thought Leaders, representing ANI brand interests effectively and collaborating with ANI leadership and relevant functions. 

• Ensure alignment with the vision and strategic imperatives set by the brand team, facilitating the implementation of corporate objectives. 

• Manage regional and national conventions, congresses (e.g., ITU Thought Leader identifying), and commercial advisory boards supporting marketing initiatives. 

• Identify, coordinate, and contract appropriate Thought Leaders to support fulfilling business needs including but not limited to approved consulting opportunities (e.g., Advisory Boards, training, etc.). 

• Involved with Sponsorships and Patient Advocacy Organizations for the purpose of enterprise-wide coordination (not tactical) of specific functional activities. 

• Support the development and execution of Speaker Bureau working with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality Speaker Programs. 

• Operate in accordance with ANI’s code of conduct and all policies and procedures, maintaining the highest standards of ethical conduct and compliance. 

• Other duties as assigned.   

Skills / Competencies 

• Leadership: Ability to lead and inspire teams, influence stakeholders, and drive initiatives forward. 

• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively convey ideas, engage with thought leaders, and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders. 

• Strategic Thinking: Capacity to think strategically, anticipate market trends, and develop innovative approaches to address business needs. 

• Relationship Building: Strong interpersonal skills to cultivate and maintain relationships with thought leaders, advocacy organizations, and other key stakeholders. 

• Project Management: Proficiency in managing multiple projects simultaneously, setting priorities, and meeting deadlines. 

• Collaboration: Ability to collaborate cross-functionally, work effectively in team environments, and foster a culture of collaboration within the organization. 

• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify challenges, develop solutions, and drive continuous improvement. 

• Adaptability: Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities, market dynamics, and organizational needs. 

• Ethical Conduct: Commitment to ethical business practices and compliance with industry regulations and company policies. 

• Industry Knowledge: Deep understanding of the pharmaceutical or biotech industry, particularly in rare diseases, and familiarity with relevant therapeutic areas such as Nephrology. 

• Market Awareness: Ability to stay abreast of competitive intelligence, market trends, and evolving treatment paradigms. 

• Business Acumen: Understanding of business principles, including budget management, resource allocation, and revenue generation. 

• Influence and Negotiation: Skill in influencing without authority, negotiating skills, and driving alignment among diverse stakeholders. 

Education / Experience / Qualifications 

• 10+ years of commercial experience in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry with a similar high-science therapeutic area in the rare disease market.  

• Bachelor's degree in life sciences, pharmacy, or a related field (advanced degree preferred). 

• Southeast location preferred with expected National coverage for conferences. 

• Recent Retina/Ophthalmology field-marketing or rare disease launch experience preferred. 

• Role requires a strong understanding of the Ophthalmology therapeutic area, as well as the competitive landscape and relevant trends.  This knowledge is crucial in guiding interactions with Thought Leaders and healthcare professionals, as well as providing valuable insights to internal teams. 

• Proven track record in developing and implementing Thought Leader strategies through compliant and engaging interactions.  

• Travel: Willingness to travel extensively, including weeknights and weekends, to attend customer meetings and industry events (~40% of the time). 

The base salary range for this position is  $200,000-$235,000 ; the exact salary depends on various factors such as experience, skills, education, location, competencies and industry-specific knowledge. In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for participation in a competitive short term and long term incentive program based on performance and company results.  

ANI Pharmaceuticals offers a variety of benefits to eligible employees, including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, retirement savings plans, paid leave programs, paid holidays and paid time off. Many of these benefits are subsidized or fully paid for by the company.