Director, Strategic Development & Advocacy - West

Director, Strategic Development & Advocacy - West

Job Summary

The Director, Strategic Development & Advocacy (SD&A) is a non-sales field marketing role responsible for building advocacy and support for ANI’s Acute Care team. This entails proactively engaging national, regional and global 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 Acute Care to help develop marketing strategy.

Additionally, this SD&A role will collaborate with the Marketing Lead responsible for 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 commercial expert speakers. They will also be involved in sponsorships and Patient Advocacy Organizations engagement on behalf of marketing.

As a business leader within the team, this accomplished trailblazer will be expected to excel in cross-functional collaboration, executing Thought Leader (TL) engagement plans, and initiating projects to address business needs. The ideal candidate will have TL experience in (at least) one of the following practice areas: Podiatry, Orthopedic, Primary Care, Family Practice, General Practice, and Internal Medicine. 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 as a strategic, non-sales partner.
• Ensure alignment with the vision and strategic imperatives set by the brand team, facilitating the implementation of corporate objectives in support of Acute Care launch and growth priorities.
• 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.

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.
• 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.
• 10+ years of commercial experience in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry with experience supporting field-based engagement in specialty or acute care therapeutic areas.
• 5+ years experience in Rheumatology, Primary Care, Podiatry, Orthopedics, or related acute care settings.

Education / Experience / Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in life sciences, pharmacy, or a related field (advanced degree preferred).
• Geographic alignment required: West (Western U.S.), Central (Central & South Central U.S.), or East (Northeast & Southeast U.S.).
• Proven track record in developing and implementing Thought Leader strategies through compliant and engaging interactions via existing and meaningful relationships with key Thought Leaders.
• Travel: Field-based role requiring approximately 50–65% travel, including select evenings and weekends to support programs and congresses. Travel expectations may vary based on territory and business needs.

Compensation & Benefits

The base salary range for this position is $190,000-$220,000; 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 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.

Key skills/competency

• Thought Leader Engagement
• Strategic Planning
• Market Analysis
• Relationship Management
• Cross-functional Collaboration
• Project Management
• Pharmaceutical Marketing
• Advocacy Development
• Business Development
• Competitive Intelligence