(Sr.) Director of Access & Commercial Operations, Italy

Position Summary:

The (Sr.) Director, Access & Commercial Strategy Italy serves as a pivotal member of Acadia Pharmaceuticals’ Italy and European Access and Commercial teams, holding responsibility for securing and sustaining optimal access through initiatives that deliver meaningful value to patients, healthcare systems, society, and the company itself. This role shapes Acadia’s strategy for national and regional access in Italy while building and leading an access, marketing, and sales organization capable of executing cross-functional business plans. In partnership with their team, the incumbent ensures the effective management of tender operations and the successful execution of the launch readiness plan, enabling Acadia Pharmaceuticals Italy to introduce new products for rare disease indications.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Collaborate closely with the Sr. Medical Director, General Manager of Italy, and the EU Team to ensure strategic alignment.
• Lead and coordinate cross-functional integration across medical, sales, marketing, and access teams.
• Oversee the implementation of the launch readiness plan and field execution (access and medical), ensuring achievement of launch performance indicators.
• Develop and execute high-quality, fit-for-purpose Italy Pricing and Access launch strategies, including the establishment of tender processes.
• Design and implement a coordinated negotiation strategy with a clearly defined approach.
• Build and nurture broad stakeholder relationships to support access, commercial engagement, and educational initiatives.
• Establish and maintain strong personal relationships with payers, advisors, key opinion leaders, and other stakeholders and institutions.
• Ensure the effective and coordinated management of tender operations with a clear and structured approach.
• Prepare and manage annual strategic plans and budgets for the function, ensuring accurate forecasting and prudent decision-making.
• Monitor market trends and predict key developments within Italy.
• Support the direction of customer-facing activities, CRM and territory management systems, ROI evaluations, budget allocation, sales targets, and incentive programmes.
• Act consistently following ethical standards and company procedures.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Education and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences or a related field is required; an MBA or PhD is preferred.
• 10–15 years of progressively responsible experience, including 5–7 years in a leadership role within Access, Policy, or Commercial functions in a pharmaceutical or biotech organisation.
  Significant scientific exposure to rare diseases, ideally within the CNS area, is essential. A combination of relevant education and applicable experience may also be considered
• Extensive and balanced experience in access and commercial functions
• Recent involvement in the launch of orphan drugs, ideally with direct or adjacent experience in the CNS field
• Demonstrated hands-on expertise in pricing negotiations within Italy.
• Proven success in cross-functional teamwork
• Ability to collaborate effectively with medical, clinical, and regulatory colleagues, fostering a culture of innovation and partnership.
• Robust growth and learning mindset, with a collaborative and collaborative approach.
• Resilience and adaptability in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, with the ability to respond to changing market conditions.
• High tolerance for ambiguity and the capability to deliver business results in a “start-up” setting.
• Willingness and ability to travel within Europe and internationally.

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