Zone Director; Gastroenterology - South

Ardelyx is a publicly traded commercial biopharmaceutical company founded with a mission to discover, develop and commercialize innovative first‑in‑class medicines that meet significant unmet medical needs. Ardelyx has two commercial products approved in the United States: IBSRELA (tenapanor) and XPHOZAH (tenapanor). Agreements exist for the development and commercialization of tenapanor outside the U.S.;
Kyowa Kirin markets PHOZEVEL in Japan, Fosun Pharma is approved in China, and Knight Therapeutics markets IBSRELA in Canada.

The Zone Director reports to the National Sales Director and is responsible for recruiting, hiring, and leading a high‑performing sales team within a geographically defined zone to drive IBSRELA and subsequent pipeline assets sales. The Director assists in developing and executing the sales plan with marketing, market access, patient services, and commercial operations, ensuring Ardelyx's sales goals are met. The role includes cultivating a strong direct‑customer presence among key decision makers and influencers in gastroenterology and related pipeline areas.

• Hire, train, develop, and lead Area Business Directors (ABDs) for the zone geography.
• Organize staffing, training, and talent development to retain key sales personnel.
• Own the zone’s sales objectives and performance of every ABD territory.
• Coordinate strategic business plans, providing guidance to execute sales and marketing plans.
• Assist in developing incentive and compensation programs and sales force analyses.
• Translate financial drivers and analytics into actionable plans for ABDs and inside sales.
• Enforce compliance with Ardelyx policies, including code of conduct, travel and expense, and promotional guidelines.
• Develop a culture of compliance, ensuring all activities comply with laws and company policies.
• Manage sales team budgets and guide field sales budget adherence.
• Engage with key customers, decision‑influencers, and account groups to represent Ardelyx and achieve objectives.
• Provide input on sales team alignments and expansions, evaluating performance against forecasts and KPIs.
• Ensure all promotional activities comply with Ardelyx policies, reviewing potential violations and approving disciplinary action.

• Bachelor’s degree with 9–12 years of commercial experience in pharma/biotech, including 4+ years in sales management.
• Extensive specialty sales knowledge, preferably in gastroenterology.
• Strong people‑management skills with a proven track record of building and leading sales teams while consistently meeting or exceeding sales goals.
• Direct customer activity experience as part of a sales leadership role, including product launch experience.
• Thorough understanding of laws and regulations governing pharmaceutical sales and marketing.
• Proven leadership ability to engage and inspire employees, foster collaboration, and integrate cross‑functional teams.
• Experience measuring employee performance against goals and guiding career paths.
• Committed to professional growth through knowledge sharing, counseling, and personalized support.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with persuasive verbal and written communication.
• Ability to develop and implement sales strategies and analyze market data for opportunities.
• Strong clinical acumen to earn respect with key opinion leaders, healthcare stakeholders, and patient advocacy groups.

• Reports to the National Sales Director.
• Field‑based role.
• Requires up to 60% travel for meetings, customer visits, coaching, and conferences.

Annualized base pay range: $205,000‑$251,000. Compensation is based on experience, training, qualifications, and internal equity, and may include a bonus target and equity awards.

Benefits include a 401(k) plan with generous employer match, 12 weeks of paid parental and freeze‑on‑skin living organ/bone marrow leave, equity incentive plans, comprehensive health coverage (medical, prescription drug, dental, vision), life and disability insurance, flexible time off, a winter holiday shutdown, and at least 11 paid holidays.

Ardelyx is an equal opportunity employer.