Associate (Entry-Level), Rheumatology Territory Account Specialist – Tarzana / San Luis Obispo

Novartis • Thousand Oaks, CA

2d • $77,000 - $245,700 • Remote

About The Position

Novartis is hiring an Associate Territory Account Specialist in a field-based and remote role supporting key accounts in the assigned Tarzana / San Luis Obispo territory. The specialist serves as the primary point of contact for accounts and Health Care Providers (HCPs), building relationships, identifying shared priorities, and connecting customers with Novartis resources to improve patient outcomes. The role balances demand generation with strategic account engagement, including clinical and account-based selling, access navigation, collaborative problem-solving, team orchestration, and omni-channel engagement. The employee must reside within the territory or within a reasonable daily commuting distance of 50 miles from its border. Relocation support and visa sponsorship are not available. Travel of 60–80% across a broad geography is required, with driving and/or flying within the territory. Driving is an essential function, and a fully valid and unrestricted driver’s license is required. Field-role hires must complete initial training, including home study of no more than eight hours per day and 40 hours per week. Customer-facing employees must follow customers’ credentialing guidelines, which may require COVID-19 vaccination. The position’s level is determined based on experience.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university.
• Experience within the last five years in pharmaceutical, biotech, healthcare, or similarly structured industries with large, geographically dispersed sales teams; candidates from other complex sales environments such as medical devices, diagnostics, life sciences services, insurance, consumer health, or B2B are also welcomed.
• Associate-level candidates with limited prior sales experience are encouraged to apply.
• Track record of consistent high performance and ability to navigate and successfully sell to large accounts and key customers.
• Self-starter with analytical abilities to find, prioritize, and apply relevant information to solve problems and meet key-customer needs.
• Demonstrated ethical leadership and ability to foster ethical behavior and compliance with company policies and laws.
• Reside within the territory or within a reasonable daily commuting distance of 50 miles from the territory border.
• Ability to travel 60–80% over a broad geography and drive and/or fly within the territory.
• Valid and unrestricted driver’s license; driving is an essential function of the role.
• Associate-level candidates may qualify through limited prior sales experience or recent separation from the U.S. Military with at least four years of service in a leadership capacity.
• Strong ability to collaborate, work cross-functionally in a matrix environment, and communicate product information effectively.

Nice To Haves

• Experience across therapeutic groups, disease states, account management strategy, and new product launches.
• Broad understanding of patient services, market access, buy and bill, specialty pharmacy, reimbursement, and/or medical calling on HCPs for sophisticated products or reimbursement pathways.
• Experience in the two-year Novartis Sales Internship Program.
• Demonstrated leadership in student sports, fraternities, clubs, activities, or other extracurricular activities.

Responsibilities

• Navigate and resolve account challenges with effective, tailored solutions.
• Develop a strategic territory plan that aligns shared priorities and applies insights and tactics to drive product demand and support patient outcomes.
• Partner with territory teammates, field teams, and home-office colleagues to address customer needs and provide access support.
• Apply knowledge of the market, competitive landscape, and cross-functional dynamics to anticipate opportunities and respond to challenges.
• Use territory data and market trends to identify local insights, support pull-through efforts, and lead customer engagements virtually or in person.
• Facilitate planning sessions with key stakeholders to solve complex challenges and collaborate across functions to meet customer needs with urgency.
• Provide real-time access support and work with Patient Specialty Services (PSS) to deliver a seamless customer experience.
• Use digital tools and omni-channel strategies to personalize outreach and engage customers virtually and face-to-face.

Benefits

• Health benefits
• Life benefits
• Disability benefits
• 401(k) with company contribution and match
• Vacation, personal days, holidays, and other leaves
• Performance-based cash incentive
• May be eligible to be considered for annual equity awards, depending on role level

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level