Director, New Product Planning

Business Development

Cambridge, MA

ID: 25R-14

Full-Time/Regular

Nearly 37 million Americans are currently affected by Chronic Kidney Disease. 37 million.

At Akebia we take that number very seriously and every day we come to work, with the purpose of bettering the lives of each person impacted by kidney disease and the renal community that serves them.

Our tenacious, passionate employees’ challenge the status quo and work to develop unique therapeutics that have the potential to set new standards of care for people living with kidney disease.

This is life-changing work, and we are all in, are you?

Essential Functions & Duties

• Evaluate business development opportunities to establish and confirm strategic fit with Akebia’s portfolio.
• Lead commercial assessments (e.g. product positioning and adoption, competitive landscape, pricing and market access) for business development opportunities and participate in due diligence.
• Lead commercial assessments of internal pipeline candidates in collaboration with Finance, Commercial, and R&D team members.
• Use competitive intelligence and primary and secondary market research to develop target product profile (TPP) to guide minimum acceptable go/no go criteria for product development; collaborate and align with R&D and Commercial Teams on product profile, timing, and process
• Complete commercial and financial assessments for existing products, candidates in development and competitor strategies, including market sizing, epidemiology, patient flow and physician specialties involved, current medical practices, available treatments and unmet needs, clinical guidelines, pricing/reimbursement/discounting/rebating, environment, and competitive assessment.
• Integrate all components of new product opportunities to assess overall risks and opportunities and provide clear deliverables and recommendations.
• Provide commercial evaluation and strategic input for lifecycle management opportunities.
• Partner with FP&A team to support Akebia’s strategic Long-Range Plan and inform the prioritization of development programs and activities.
• Develop and deliver presentations and recommendations to senior management (including corporate/portfolio presentations, board materials, etc.)
  
  

Skills & Experience

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• 10 years of relevant experience (e.g. strategic marketing, new product planning, business development).
• Experience in biotech or pharma industry
• Experience with creating & presenting to an executive team on subjects such as commercial analysis, market research, and business development opportunities
• Experience evaluating new product opportunities for potential business
• Proven experience analyzing industry trends and leveraging that information for strategic recommendations
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA or graduate degree in life sciences preferred
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to make professional and credible first impressions with internal and external customers
• Strong communication skills with the ability to write/present clear, succinct, and convincing presentations at varying levels of detail depending on the project scope and audience.
• Ability to identify new product opportunities and thoroughly evaluate and communicate the scientific and business rationale.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret industry trends and develop strategic recommendations.
• Ability to motivate others to advance goals, and the ability to effectively manage multiple projects or roles in a rapidly evolving environment.
  
  

Targeted Base: $196,697-$242,979*

• Base Compensation for this role will depend on a number of factors including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience, and may fall outside of the range shown. Base pay is only one component of the company’s total rewards package, all regular employees are also eligible for the corporate bonus program or the incentive compensation program (if applicable), as well as equity. Additional benefits include health care, vision, dental, retirement, PTO, etc.
  
  

Are you an Akebian?

An Akebian is curious, empathetic, and values making connections to people and ideas. Akebian’s aren’t afraid of diving in and owning a process or a problem, because we all want to deliver a great solution. Akebian’s believe that we are better together because we are all working toward a common purpose – to better the life of each person impacted by kidney disease. Want to learn more about what it means to be an Akebian? Visit our website: www.akebia.com

Akebia is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all job applicants. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law.