Sickle Cell Specialist, Sickle Cell Disease (Chicago)

Agios Pharmaceuticals Inc

Agios Pharmaceuticals HQ, MA

Sickle Cell Specialist, Sickle Cell Disease (Chicago)

Who we are:

At Agios, we are fueled by connections to transform rare diseases. We foster an inclusive, collaborative culture – one that sparks bold thinking and strengthens our connections with each other and with the rare disease communities we serve. We embrace diverse backgrounds with respect, active listening, and a commitment to inclusion – because our differences shape how we hire, collaborate, and innovate. Our team’s proven track record of executional excellence, combined with our depth of expertise and dedication, enables us to develop innovative medicines that reflect the priorities of rare disease communities. Our commitment is more than scientific – it’s deeply personal, grounded in the meaningful connections we have built. To learn more, visit www.agios.com and follow Agios on LinkedIn and X.

The impact you will make:

We are seeking individuals with a demonstrated track record of success in launching rare diseases medicines and who are motivated by building durable markets in complex, underserved therapeutic areas.

The Sickle Cell Specialist should possess an entrepreneurial “start-up” mentality and values consistent with the patient and science focused Agios culture.

They will be energized by the opportunity to earn trust, advance disease education, and prepare the ecosystem for long-term impact which will lay the foundation for the success of Mitapivat and Agios’ pipeline of transformative rare genetic disease treatments.

The Sickle Cell Specialist (SCS) will report to a Regional Business Director and will be responsible for raising awareness of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and the need for disease education in SCD and the treatment of hemolytic anemia. The SCS will have territory level goals focused on identifying appropriate patients, advancing disease education, and supporting treatment readiness in anticipation of a potential future approval. Additionally, the SCS will be responsible for raising awareness across their respective geographies in anticipation of the initial US approval of Mitapivat for Sickle Cell Disease.

Territory to include these major markets: Chicago and St. Louis.

This is a field-based role requiring consistent in-person engagement across priority accounts within the territory.

What you will do:

As a Sickle Cell Specialist, you are the territory business owner, responsible for developing and executing a long-term market building strategy across your geography
Lead consistent, multi-touch disease education engagements to advance understanding of SCD pathophysiology, disease burden, and unmet need
Develop an integrated plan for your geography reflecting deep analysis, clear prioritization, and disciplined execution
Work with all field teams and marketing to ensure alignment on objectives, strategies, and communication
Develop credible, trust-based relationships with key customers and continue to build knowledge of the sickle cell marketplace
Collaborate with Regional Medical Affairs and Market Access colleagues to ensure seamless coordination and timely patient support
Advance appropriate patients toward treatment readiness while continuously assessing performance metrics and adapting strategies
Develop strong internal and external relationships to enable appropriate, compliant business partnerships
Ensure appropriate and compliant utilization of approved corporate, promotional and other resources to facilitate customer engagements
Represent Agios positively and professionally at company meetings and conferences, ensuring your activities are compliant with laws, regulations, policies and guidelines
Achieve or exceed sales forecasts and targets, within budget
Lead ad-hoc initiatives to contribute to the business as requested

What Success Looks Like in this role:

Priority HCPs view you as a trusted SCD partner, not just a product representative
Disease education conversations deepen over time and lead to earlier identification of appropriate patients
Accounts are prepared to act efficiently once therapy is approved for appropriate patients
Cross‑functional partners rely on your insights to inform strategy and execution

What you bring:

Bachelor’s degree required, Scientific degree a plus
Proven track record of success in Rare Disease sales; minimum 5 years’ experience in rare disease.
Sickle Cell/Hematology/Oncology sales experience preferred
Experience in building disease awareness and launching first in class therapies
Demonstrated business acumen with account management skills, data analysis and understanding, and competitive selling
Demonstrated ability to translate complex clinical and scientific concepts into credible, compliant dialogue
Demonstrated cross functional collaboration with internal stakeholders including marketing, medical affairs, market access, patient services, and sales operations
Demonstrated knowledge of the payer and clinical landscape, especially in specialty & rare diseases
Results-oriented with ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
Ability to navigate ambiguity and drive results
Strong, resourceful, self-starter with an innovative mindset and ability to develop and execute new business solutions
Extraordinary commitment to customer experience and standards of excellence
Willingness to travel extensively across large geographies
Established relationships with Hematology/Oncology HCPs within designated geography strongly preferred
Prior experience launching rare disease products strongly preferred
Experience leading regional and/or national initiatives strongly preferred
Experience working in diseases with access challenges, health equity considerations, or historically underserved patient populations is strongly preferred

Travel Requirements:

Both virtual or in-person meetings are facilitated as needed and appropriate. Travel requirement will be an average of 50-60% within the territory focusing on the major market areas of Chicago and St. Louis.

Concerned that you don’t check off every box in the requirements listed above? Please apply anyway! At Agios, we value each other’s differences and recognize that teams thrive when everyone brings their unique experiences to the table. We are dedicated to building an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible environment where all employees can bring their whole selves to work. If you’re excited about this role but your previous experience doesn’t align perfectly with the job description, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another opening!

Work Location:

Location Specific – Field/Remote: This is a remote based field position. Employees in field roles must reside within their designated territory. Consistent in-person presence with priority accounts is expected. Travel may be required commensurate to the above job description and/or to attend team meetings and other company events.

What we will give you:

Deliberate Development. Your professional growth as one of our top priorities.
Flexibility. We’re all about individual needs. We embrace different perspectives, work styles, health and wellness approaches, care of families and productivity. When you’re at your best, we’re at our best.
Premium benefits package. We invest in the health, wellbeing, and security of our people with a premium benefits package that is well-rounded and flexible to help meet the varied personal and professional needs of every member of our team. For more detail on the benefits we offer at Agios, visit the Inside Agios section of our website.
Competitive and equitable performance-based compensation. This includes base salary and both short- and long-term incentives that are connected to our business strategy and vary based on individual and company performance.
- The current base salary range for this position is expected to be between $152,440 and $228,660 annualized; final salary will be determined based on various factors including, but not limited to, years of relevant experience, job knowledge, skills and proficiency, degree/education, and internal comparators
Incentive design that recognizes both foundational market building and long-term value creation.
Psychological safety. We support an environment of fearlessness. We want you to share your ideas, speak candidly and take data-informed risks to help push the boundaries.
Commitment to diversity. We strive to foster a welcoming workplace where everyone can thrive. We’re continuously looking to improve the inclusivity of our workforce.
Commitment to community. We’re an active participant in the communities that surround us – the communities where we live, and the community of people and their loved ones in need of better treatment options for conditions that are often overlooked.