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

Novartis•Santa Barbara, CA

18h•Remote

About The Position

The Associate Territory Account Specialist (TAS) is a field-based and remote role supporting key accounts in an assigned geography. 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 help improve patient outcomes. The role combines demand generation with strategic account engagement, clinical and account-based selling, access navigation, collaborative problem-solving, team coordination, and omni-channel engagement. The position covers the Tarzana / San Luis Obispo territory. Relocation support and visa sponsorship are not available. Candidates must live within the territory or within a reasonable daily commute of 50 miles from its border. Travel of 60–80% across a broad geography is required, including driving and/or flying within the territory. Driving is an essential function, and a fully valid and unrestricted driver’s license is required. The individual hired must successfully 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, subject to applicable law and accommodation provisions.

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 are also welcomed.
For the Associate level, limited prior sales experience is acceptable.
A track record of consistent high performance and ability to navigate and successfully sell to large accounts and key customers.
Self-starter with analytical ability 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.
Residence 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.
Fully valid and unrestricted driver’s license; driving is an essential function of the role.
Ability to collaborate and 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.
Understanding of patient services, market access, buy and bill, specialty pharmacy, reimbursement, and/or medical calling on HCPs for a sophisticated product or reimbursement pathway.
Recently separated from the U.S. military with at least four years of military service in a leadership capacity.
Experience in the 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 that meet customer needs.
Develop a strategic territory plan by aligning shared priorities and applying insights and tactics to drive product demand and support patient outcomes.
Partner proactively with territory teammates, field teams, and home-office colleagues to address customer needs and provide access support.
Use 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 support a seamless customer experience.
Use digital tools and omni-channel strategies to personalize outreach and engage customers in virtual and face-to-face settings.