Thought Leader Liaison – West

SUMMARY

The individual(s) will report to the Vice President, Thought Leader Engagement and will be responsible for the development of key thought leader relationships and to test, discuss and evaluate ideas with these customers. It is a key field-based position within the US and supports the commercialization efforts of ILUVIEN and other products.

This position is a promotional (non-medical) position and must adhere to the requirements of the Sales and Marketing Code of Conduct. The person will be responsible for developing relationships and influencing behavior among key customers. The individual will work closely with the Marketing team to initiate, develop, and test marketing messages, engage in internal and external training, provide updates, insights, and input to the Alimera Sciences senior leadership team as well as the Field Leadership team and assist in the development of the overall strategic sales and marketing plan for the company.

This person will be highly visible to the marketing and sales organization and to their teams. The TLL will collaborate with cross functional field based and home office teams, including Sales and Marketing, Legal, Reimbursement and Medical Affairs. The goal of the position is to provide a high level of scientific and sales expertise to assist the company in its efforts to communicate the benefits of our products to physicians and to introduce physicians to the broader goals and vision of Alimera.

ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS

• A willingness to live and breathe the Alimera culture with the goal to influence external customers and internal colleagues into being part of the Alimera mission.
• A “roll up their sleeves” with marketing and sales attitude and do their equal part to create, evaluate, recommend and develop the tools necessary to execute the programs needed to achieve success.
• An ability to easily develop relationships with identified key customers.
• A deep understanding and attitude that the field sales team is also your customer and the ability to relay that message to teammates.
• A team player internally, understanding that a well-coordinated and focused internal organization can move mountains for physicians and patients.
• Being creative, yet compliant, having a “find a way, not a way out” mentality.
• Being a strategic self-starter
• Having a sense of urgency balanced by respect for other’s time.
• Ability to have fun while working hard.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Deep scientific acumen in Ophthalmology
• Strong relationship skills
• Strong leadership skills
• Extensive sales and or medical liaison experience
• Proven track record of working well cross-functionally and accomplishing objectives independently
• Proven highly successful in field-based work
• Ability to travel extensively

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Proactively identify potential marketplace trends/barriers regarding ILUVIEN
• Work closely with targeted thought leaders to obtain feedback to be considered in the development of brand-related strategies, and provide field-based intelligence to internal stakeholders
• Identify, cultivate and maintain long standing relationships with key thought leaders in the territory to provide more in depth and extensive understanding of ILUVIEN and any other products
• Provide a secondary level of scientific and promotional support to key accounts identified by the regional sales directors
• Act as the primary liaison between KOLs and home office cross-functional teams
• Identify profile, cultivate and maintain long-term relationships with KOLs within the retinal community
• Lead the development of Key Account / engagement plans for assigned accounts
• Execute a customer centric needs-based approach with targeted KOLs
• Build advocacy with KOLs using on-label and MLR approved materials
• Play a key role in enabling the understanding of diseases, mechanisms of diseases, and the potential role of Alimera products in the management of these diseases using on-label and MLR approved materials
• Providing individual speaker coaching on approved slide decks
• Assist and execute Advisory Boards
• Develop Fellows
• Attend local, regional and national meetings as directed
• Take a lead role in training classes as requested

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Fast paced
• Extensive travel (50%)
• Hands on work with internal colleagues

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in related field
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Ability to perform in a highly regulated environment
• Knowledge of the ophthalmology space, specifically Retina
• Strong strategic planning skills
• Successful experience in developing therapeutic experts
• 5- 10 years of biopharmaceutical, biotech, or medical device experience (sales, marketing, product management, managed markets) with TLL experience preferred.
• Experience in management/leading teams preferred.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, develop and influence others
• Experience with senior management, displaying an executive presence
• Extensive experience in biological sales and a working knowledge of the

buy-and-bill model

• A demonstrated ability to think and react in a high-energy, fast-paced and ambiguous environment
• A demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects-prioritization and strategic planning