Rare Disease Specialist

Location: Field-Based
Company: Palvella Therapeutics

About Palvella:

Palvella is a pioneering biotech dedicated to revolutionizing the treatment of rare and serious skin diseases, and our pipeline is among the most robust and exciting in the industry. Our vision is to build a leading rare disease biopharma company focused on developing and commercializing first-in-disease therapies for serious, rare skin diseases and vascular malformations where there are no existing FDA-approved treatments.

Position Summary:

The Rare Disease Specialist (RDS) will play a critical role in establishing Palvella in the marketplace. The RDS will be responsible for launching, promoting, and driving demand for Palvella’s product within targeted specialty offices, institutions, and Vascular Anomaly Centers across an individually assigned geography.

Key Responsibilities:

• Launch, drive demand for, and accelerate growth of Palvella’s first marketed product by expanding awareness, adoption, and utilization through high-impact, in-person and minimal virtual engagements with targeted specialty customers within the assigned geography, delivering scientific and clinically focused messaging and patient access support.
• Develop and execute a strategic, growth-oriented geography business plan designed to expand account penetration, optimize access, and maximize impact across all assigned territories to achieve or exceed geography and national sales objectives.
• Partner closely with cross-functional teams to align on growth strategies, proactively address evolving customer needs, identify market opportunities and dynamics, and execute coordinated plans to achieve shared business goals.
• Build, maintain, and leverage deep expertise in product, disease state, and market/patient access to drive appropriate use of Palvella’s product, expand customer confidence, and support peer development through knowledge sharing and best practices.
• Plan and execute territory- and national-level promotional programs and initiatives that support portfolio growth, drive engagement, and expand product adoption.
• Deliver exceptional customer experiences through comprehensive account management, including marketing support, product access, reimbursement navigation, and accurate, on-label responses to medical inquiries.
• Represent the company in a professional, compliant, and ethical manner, upholding the Palvella organization’s culture.
• Ensure full adherence to compliance (company and governmental policies, procedures, and regulations) and safety/health protocols established by the company.

Competencies and Skills

• Demonstrates results-oriented focus and a positive track record of consistent sales performance in complex markets with diverse customer segments operating with a high degree of integrity within compliance guidelines.
• Possesses excellent interpersonal, influencing, and relationship-building skills.
• Proven ability to gain access, develop strong professional relationships with providers and their staff, and utilize appropriate solutions-focused selling skills.
• Understands, analyzes, and effectively communicates scientific and technical information in compliance with applicable pharmaceutical sales regulations, guidelines, and policies.
• Has passion for and is effective in a highly competitive, fast-paced startup environment that builds the company and brand with a focus on serving the patient.
• Effectively leverages provided resources to maximize territory impact.
• Demonstrates leadership within the team and among colleagues.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university or equivalent experience.
• 5 + years of successful rare disease or related biotech/pharmaceutical sales experience.
• Startup experience is a plus.
• Demonstrated success supporting product launches and driving sustained growth of established brands and indications is strongly preferred.
• Valid Driver’s License and an acceptable driving record.

This position requires up to 50% travel, both within and outside of the assigned territory. Occasional overnight travel will be required.

Salary Range: $165,000 – $180,000 Annually

Actual salary may vary and will be commensurate with level of industry or rare disease experience.

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this position. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job. 

Palvella is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state, or local protected class.