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# Chief Commercial Officer with a Rare Disease Biotech – Raleigh, NC



JRG Partners is proud to partner with a pioneering, clinical-stage biotechnology company at the forefront of developing life-altering therapies for patients with rare and ultra-rare diseases. Located in the vibrant Research Triangle Park area of Raleigh, NC, our client is driven by a mission to translate groundbreaking science into tangible hope for communities with significant unmet medical needs.
Their innovative pipeline targets the genetic and biological underpinnings of devastating conditions, and they are now poised for a period of significant growth as they approach commercialization. To spearhead this critical phase, we are seeking a visionary and results-oriented Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) to join their executive leadership team. This is a unique opportunity to build a world-class commercial organization from the ground up and to shape the future of a company dedicated to making a profound impact on patients’ lives.
The ideal candidate is a strategic leader with a deep passion for the rare disease space, possessing a proven track record of building commercial infrastructure and executing successful product launches. You will be the architect of the company’s entire commercial strategy, responsible for crafting the narrative, defining the market, and ensuring that these transformative therapies reach the patients who need them most. This role demands an entrepreneurial spirit, a collaborative mindset, and the ability to navigate the complex global healthcare landscape with agility and expertise.
Role Overview for Chief Commercial Officer with a Rare Disease Biotech – Raleigh, NC
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) will be a cornerstone of the executive team, providing strategic leadership and operational oversight for all commercial activities worldwide. You will be responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive commercialization strategy that aligns with the company’s corporate objectives and ensures the successful launch and lifecycle management of its portfolio. This executive will be instrumental in transforming a science-driven organization into a fully integrated, commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company.
The CCO will build and lead all commercial functions, including marketing, sales, market access, pricing and reimbursement, and commercial operations. Your leadership will be pivotal in defining the company’s commercial culture, establishing its market presence, and ultimately, driving its long-term revenue growth and success. This is a hands-on, strategic role that requires a leader who can both devise a brilliant strategy and roll up their sleeves to execute it flawlessly.
Key Responsibilities of Chief Commercial Officer with a Rare Disease Biotech – Raleigh, NC
As the CCO, you will be entrusted with a broad range of responsibilities that are critical to the company’s transition into a commercial entity. Your duties will be dynamic and will evolve as the company grows, but the core responsibilities include:
Global Commercial Strategy Development
Architect and execute a comprehensive global commercial strategy for the company’s portfolio, including pre-launch, launch, and post-launch phases. Conduct in-depth market analysis, competitive intelligence, and long-range forecasting to inform strategic decisions and optimize commercial potential.
Product Launch Excellence
Lead all aspects of product launch planning and execution. Develop and implement integrated launch plans, ensuring seamless coordination across all functions. Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure and track launch success.
Leadership and Team Building
Recruit, develop, and mentor a high-performing, multi-disciplinary commercial team encompassing marketing, sales, market access, patient advocacy, and commercial operations. Foster a collaborative, patient-centric, and results-driven culture.
Marketing and Brand Management
Oversee the creation and execution of global brand strategies, compelling value propositions, and targeted promotional campaigns. Drive engagement with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), healthcare professionals, and patient communities to build brand advocacy and awareness.
Market Access, Pricing, and Reimbursement
Develop and execute innovative market access strategies to secure optimal pricing, reimbursement, and broad patient access across global markets. Build strong relationships with payers, health authorities, and policy makers.
Sales Force and Commercial Operations
Design and build a lean, effective sales organization tailored to the rare disease market. Implement state-of-the-art CRM systems, data analytics platforms, and operational processes to drive sales force effectiveness and commercial excellence.
Cross-Functional Collaboration and Leadership
Serve as a key member of the executive leadership team, contributing to the overall corporate strategy. Collaborate closely with R&D, Clinical Development, Medical Affairs, and Regulatory Affairs to provide commercial insights that shape clinical trial design and overall development strategy.
Financial Management
Develop and manage the commercial budget, including long-range revenue forecasts and P&L responsibility. Ensure prudent allocation of resources to maximize return on investment and achieve financial targets.
Corporate and Business Development
Partner with the executive team on corporate communications, investor relations, and fundraising activities. Provide commercial due diligence and assessment for potential in-licensing or acquisition opportunities.
Requirements for the Chief Commercial Officer with a Rare Disease Biotech – Raleigh, NC
The successful candidate will be an accomplished commercial leader with deep expertise in the biopharmaceutical industry, particularly within the rare disease sector. We are seeking a candidate who meets the following qualifications:
Educational Background
A Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, business, or a related field is required. An MBA, PharmD, PhD, or other advanced degree is strongly preferred.
Professional Experience
A minimum of 15-20 years of progressive commercial leadership experience in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry. Crucially, this must include significant, direct experience in the rare or orphan disease space.
Launch Experience
A proven and verifiable track record of leading the successful commercial launch of at least one, and preferably multiple, novel therapeutic products, ideally within a rare disease context.
Leadership Acumen
Demonstrated success in building, leading, and scaling commercial organizations from an early stage. Experience managing functions including marketing, sales, market access, and commercial operations is essential.
Strategic Mindset
Exceptional strategic thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate complex scientific and market data into actionable commercial strategies.
Entrepreneurial Spirit
A hands-on, ‘builder’ mentality with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, resource-constrained, and highly dynamic small company environment. Experience in both emerging biotech and established pharmaceutical companies is a significant asset.
Regulatory and Compliance Knowledge
Deep knowledge of the global healthcare environment and regulations governing pharmaceutical promotion and market access, including a thorough understanding of the FDA’s Orphan Drug Designation program and its implications for commercial strategy.
Communication Skills
Outstanding interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills. The ability to articulate a clear and compelling vision to a wide range of audiences, from the Board of Directors and investors to physicians and patient advocacy groups.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client is committed to attracting and retaining top-tier talent by offering a highly competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefits package. This includes:
Executive Compensation
A competitive base salary, annual performance-based bonus, and a significant equity stake (stock options) in the company, providing a substantial opportunity for long-term wealth creation.
Comprehensive Health and Wellness
A full suite of benefits, including premium medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents.
Retirement Savings
A 401(k) retirement plan with a generous company match to help you plan for your future.
Work-Life Balance
A generous paid time off (PTO) policy, including vacation, sick leave, and company holidays, to support a healthy work-life integration.
Relocation Support
A comprehensive relocation package is available for the ideal candidate to move to the vibrant Raleigh, NC area.
Professional Growth
Ample opportunities for professional development, including attendance at key industry conferences and executive coaching.
Impactful Work
The unparalleled opportunity to be a pivotal leader in a mission-driven company and to directly impact the lives of patients suffering from debilitating rare diseases.
How to Apply
If you are a visionary commercial leader with a passion for bringing life-changing therapies to patients with rare diseases, we encourage you to apply for this career-defining opportunity. JRG Partners is managing this exclusive search on behalf of our client. To be considered for this pivotal role, please submit your resume and a detailed cover letter outlining your relevant experience and strategic vision. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. For more information on our expertise and other opportunities within this sector, please visit our Life Sciences Practice area. We look forward to hearing from you and exploring how your leadership can shape the future of rare disease therapy.