Associate Director/Director, Thought Leader Strategy, I/O Commercial Franchise

About the role

This role directs thought leadership strategy for the I/O commercial franchise, focusing on advocacy within head and neck cancer.

Sales roles connect a company's product with the customers who need it. Representatives research accounts, run demos, handle objections, and close deals. The work is quota driven and moves quickly. Strong sellers combine listening skills with product knowledge and steady follow through. Sales roles reward consistent activity and honest qualification of deals. Most companies use a defined sales process, and reps are trained on it before being left on their own.

Key facts

What you'll do

Strategic regional planning is developed and coordinated with cross-functional partners to align objectives and tactics.

External engagements are led and supported to advance in-line brand marketing initiatives for LOQTORZI®, addressing defined audience needs.

Commercial KOL initiatives are led, often with high visibility, across the organization to ensure consistent message delivery.

Brand strategic imperatives are pulled through by executing targeted peer-to-peer programming, congress engagement, and insight generation initiatives such as Insight gathering, congresses and Ad Boards.

KOL activities are measured and evaluated to optimize impact and alignment with brand goals.

Relationships with key agency partners and vendors are cultivated, and direction is provided to ensure on-brand execution.

Initiatives across the broader LOQTORZI commercial team are supported as appropriate to advance franchise priorities.

Requirements

2+ years of pharmaceutical marketing experience and Thought Leader Development experience in relevant settings is required.

Experience in immuno-oncology and head and neck cancer is preferred for this role.

A Bachelor's degree in business, science or related field is required; a master's degree (MBA) is strongly preferred.

Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact with and present to KOLs are necessary for success.

Excellent strategic thinking skills with the ability to formulate, develop and execute strategy are required.

Insights are gathered from customer engagements and translated into actionable insights and tactical plans.

Clinical data and high-level science are understood and communicated.

Cross-functional teams are collaborated with and led, working cooperatively with commercial management, clinical development, medical affairs, field sales leadership, regulatory, compliance, market research and others.

Project management excellence is demonstrated, and multiple projects and priorities are effectively managed.

Agencies and other external partners are led in aligning and developing tactical plans and promotional materials aligned with brand strategy.

Materials are championed through medical, legal, regulatory reviews (promotional review) process to ensure compliance and timeliness.

Practical notes

US-based field-based remote role with travel expectations exceeding 40%.

The base salary range is $170,000 to $250,000, with actual pay influenced by professional background and work experience.

Typical interview steps

Sales hiring often includes a role play, a discovery call simulation, and a presentation. Candidates may be asked to pitch a product to a panel or handle a tough objection. Behavioral questions focus on past quota attainment and deal history. Energy and preparation matter. Interviewers often simulate the job in the interview itself, so be ready to run a short discovery call or demo. Practicing your own sales pitch out loud helps.

Good to know

The role focuses on thought leadership and KOL advocacy in immuno-oncology.

Head and neck cancer, specifically nasopharyngeal carcinoma, is the therapeutic focus.

Success depends on cross-functional collaboration across commercial and medical teams.

The position involves managing external agencies and vendor relationships.

Strong strategic planning and project management skills are essential.