Senior Vice President, Business Strategy

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Company: Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Location: Carlsbad, CA 92010

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Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., located in the North San Diego County city of Carlsbad, was founded in 1989 and was purposely designed to create a better, more efficient drug discovery platform, establish a new innovation-centered business model, and maximize the value of every medicine created and get it to the people who need it most as quickly and as efficiently as possible.

With the RNA molecule as the basis of our novel drug discovery platform, we are targeting an unprecedented range of therapeutic areas. Our antisense therapies are disrupting diseases and changing their course—from the rarest of conditions, to those that impact millions of people. We currently have three commercial products and more than 40 potentially transformative medicines in our pipeline designed to treat a broad range of diseases.

Ionis is a challenging, motivating and rewarding environment designed to foster innovation and scientific excellence. Our success is a direct result of our outstanding employees. We are interested in bringing together individuals with different skill sets into this creative environment to be part of a productive team. Join us and experience our unique culture while you develop and expand your career.


SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, BUSINESS STRATEGY

This new position at Ionis, reporting directly to the CEO, will provide a wide range of operational and strategic direction and support. Responsibilities to be tailored based on the chosen candidate’s background and experience but will include strategic planning and operational efforts in the commercialization of novel medicines and business development strategy. S/he will be responsible for ensuring commercial and strategic business plans are aggressive, of the highest quality and are implemented efficiently in a collaborative manner.

The position will be responsible for establishing and leading the organization in a manner that is consistent with and supportive of the Ionis culture and core principles. S/he will be directly responsible for the following departments: Business Development, Alliance Management, Corporate Operations & Commercial Readiness, Competitive Intelligence and Publications Management. As a senior leader, the selected individual is expected to contribute to all aspects of the business including Research, Development, Regulatory, Business Operations and Commercialization strategies. S/he is accountable for mentoring and developing direct reports and staff and ensuring aggressive performance objectives are achieved.


STRATEGIC CONTRIBUTOR TO THE FOLLOWING INTERNAL COMMITTEES:

  • Executive Committee
  • Board of Director Meetings (BOD)
  • Operating Committee
  • Research Management Committee (RMC)
  • Development Management Committee (DMC)


OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES


Leadership

  • Strategic business and commercialization leader
  • Exemplify and lead in alignment with Ionis’ culture and core principles
  • Lead by example with thorough scholarship and intense work ethic, while actively delivering quality work product directly (i.e. hands-on contributions)
  • Maintain and enhance a culture that respects our patients, employees and shareholders
  • Mentor and develop employees; build a strong workforce capable of meeting current and future organizational needs
  • Build and successfully navigate relationships with key stakeholders, the BOD, strategic partners, Wall Street and our shareholders
  • Interface directly with investors and analysts in partnership with the VP’s of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
  • Work closely with senior management to ensure strong partnerships are formed and maintained in a manner that is effective, efficient and aligned with Ionis’ business and commercialization goals


Strategic Development

  • Responsible for prioritization and pre-commercial planning for late stage assets
  • Contributor to research, development and commercialization of the Ionis drug discovery and development pipeline
  • Provide leadership and guidance in the development and implementation of ongoing strategic initiatives
  • Create and ensure effective execution of business and commercialization strategies
  • Work with the VP of Business Development to manage complex contract negotiations and coordinate/collaborate with internal and external legal counsel, as needed
  • Establish strong business and commercialization relationships with corporate partners to maximize Ionis’ commercial interests
  • Contribute strategically and tactically to portfolio management
  • Support new drug discovery in the identification of therapies and contribute to the internal evaluation process for expansion of additional indications
  • Understand competitive, market and regulatory activities and/or changes that may impact Ionis’ portfolio


Corporate Communication

  • Able to become a key company spoke person to Wall Street; contribute to media efforts, briefing materials etc.
  • Work with the VP of Corporate Communications to help ensure a strong and unifying company perception and image
  • Proactively counsel and collaborate with internal stakeholders on all major company initiatives, events and announcements
  • Support Investor Relations & Corporate Communications in the productive management of interactions with analysts and investors, consistent with key messages and public disclosures


PRINCIPAL INTERACTIONS

  • Frequent interactions with the CEO, CFO, General Counsel, VPs of Business Development, Corporate Operations, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
  • Work closely with senior management across all functional areas
  • Interface with investors, partners and potential partners and patient advisory groups
  • Ensure a seamless relationship between business development, commercial readiness, alliance management/competitive intelligence and corporate communications/investor relations with our research, development, regulatory and operations teams


SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE


Research & Development

  • Knowledge of all phases of drug development from research to development to market
  • Experience with the functions and processes relevant to Ionis’ drug development pipeline


Business and Commercial Operations

  • Strong scientific acumen
  • Exceptional business and/or commercialization acumen
  • Ability to understand Ionis’ business and commercialization strategy and integrate that understanding into strategic decisions for Ionis
  • Success as a key company spoke person to Wall Street
  • Demonstrated ability to maintain successful alliances by effectively managing relationships, facilitating discussions, and resolving problems
  • Ability to identify, analyze and prioritize risks across functional areas and effectively frame business discussions/decisions about relevant risks
  • Prior P&L responsibility and/or experience running a successful operation/business unit a plus
  • International experience is a plus


Leadership

  • A bright individual who is quick, thinks deeply about life and work and is driven; has an urgent need to succeed as an individual and for the patient
  • Proven track record of contributing strategically to drug development R&D, drug-related operations, business development and commercialization strategies
  • Proven ability to build and successfully navigate relationships and work collaboratively both internally and externally (key stakeholders, the BOD, strategic partners, Wall Street, KOLs and our shareholders)
  • Ability to handle ambiguity and uncertainty while continuing to drive projects to completion
  • Excellent organization and oral/written communication skills and ability to persuasively articulate messages in both positive or negative situations
  • Results oriented individual with a bias to act and an innovative approach to addressing business challenges
  • Able to motivate and develop team members and overall team performance
  • Exercises excellent judgment and willing to take prudent risks; track record of success and demonstrated accountability for individual and team performance
  • Models transparency within the organization at all levels
  • Willingness and ability to work at all levels within the area of responsibility (i.e. directly produce quality work products)
  • Thrives in an intense, interrogative environment


EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

  • An advanced degree (MBA, MD, PhD, JD etc.) with at least 15 years of progressive experience in a scientific medical/commercial organization
  • At least 10 years’ experience as a strategic leader of a successful operation and/or business unit with direct P&L responsibility
  • Extensive strategic operations experience
  • Ideal candidate will have R&D experience in Drug Development and/or drug commercialization

Excellent salary and benefits package offered.
For more information about Ionis and to apply for this position, please visit our website, http://www.ionispharma.com. Reference Requisition #IONIS02080

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. PRINCIPALS ONLY.


Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and all its subsidiaries are proud to be EEO employers.