Neuroscience Sales Specialist

About Acadia Pharmaceuticals

We are a leading pharmaceutical company dedicated to advancing breakthroughs in neuroscience to elevate life. With 30 years of experience, we have been working at the forefront of healthcare to bring vital solutions to people who need them most. Our commitment to innovation has led to the development and commercialization of 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 our website and follow us on LinkedIn and X.

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Sales Specialist to join our team. As a Sales Specialist, you will be responsible for managing assigned sales territory, including selling products and addressing customer needs. You will work closely with customers, including physicians and their staff, to provide exceptional value and service in an in-person setting. Your primary responsibilities will include:

• Effectively impacting 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
• Educating physicians and physicians' staff on the value of the Company's products for patient care in an effective and compliant manner
• Utilizing knowledge, critical thinking, and dialogue skills to deliver meaningful customer experiences that result in satisfaction, equity, and loyalty
• Anticipating, identifying, and appropriately addressing healthcare professionals (HCP) objections, questions, and concerns
• Utilizing appropriate techniques to gain consistent access to customers
• Utilizing appropriate sales aids, clinical reprints, approved brand content, etc. according to training and compliance policies. Tailoring appropriate resources and information depending on customer needs
• Developing strong relationships with HCP customers, including key opinion leaders (KOLs), within the territory
• Identifying and investigating customer concerns and communicating with appropriate staff to solve problems in a timely manner
• Analyzing sales potential and then executing in the territory to ensure appropriate calls, reach, frequency, business meals, speaker programs, etc. to achieve consistently strong business results. Working within given budgets and policy guidelines
• Analyzing, evaluating, and adjusting as needed to develop effective quarterly business/action plans
• Preparing and submitting timely reports of business transactions and keeping accurate expense account records
• Providing appropriate guidance around pricing and reimbursement for promoted products to customers. Acting as liaison between customers and Company when specific reimbursement questions arise
• Communicating and collaborating 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
• Attending conferences, trainings, exhibits, meetings, and product launches as required
• Taking on leadership opportunities as appropriate, and consistently operating with a positive, collaborative attitude
• Remaining 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 carrying 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

We are looking for a Sales Specialist who can proudly represent Acadia and its culture, mission, and values. As a Sales Specialist, you will be responsible for meeting or exceeding sales expectations, exhibiting a firm understanding of the selling process, developing and executing territory business plans, and executing both in-person and virtual meetings. You will prioritize in-territory Face-to-Face customer interactions and exercise professionalism, leadership, and teamwork at all times. You will also adhere to all Acadia company policies.

Customer Service

We are seeking a Sales Specialist who can partner and build relationships with customers in an in-person setting to understand and meet their needs. You will interact and sell to the entire spectrum of applicable customer types, including staff, nursing, physicians, and other healthcare professionals. You will provide approved resources to customers as appropriate, including product samples, clinical trial data, and patient brochures. You will 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

We are looking for a Sales Specialist who can develop deep neuroscience and Acadia product knowledge, and a strong understanding of local and regional market trends. You will aggressively pursue ongoing personal development and earn a reputation throughout the neuroscience medical community as a subject-matter expert and a valued resource. You will be a disease state and product information expert, with fundamental experience using Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and proficient competency utilizing web-based platforms (e.g., WebEx, Zoom) for effective virtual customer engagement.

Qualifications

We are seeking a Sales Specialist with a Bachelor's degree, with an emphasis in the life sciences preferred. To qualify for Sales Specialist, you will require 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 Senior Specialist level, you will require 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 Specialist level, you will require 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.

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.

What We Offer

We offer a competitive base salary, discretionary bonus, and equity awards based on factors such as individual and organizational performance. Actual amounts will vary depending on experience, performance, and location. Salary Range $115,000-$131,000 USD. We also offer 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, and more.

EEO Statement

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.

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