Associate Director, Sales Operations
Deciphera Pharmaceuticals
Summary
The Associate Director, Sales Operations, is responsible for leading and optimizing the operational infrastructure supporting field-based commercial teams. This role develops and oversees processes, analytics, systems, and cross-functional alignment that enable effective sales planning, performance management, forecasting, and execution. The position serves as a strategic partner to the Commercial leadership team to ensure disciplined, data-driven decision-making and operational excellence. The Associate Director will also contribute to functional strategic planning and ensure operational readiness to support product launches and ongoing field excellence initiatives.
Job description
Role Summary
The Associate Director, Sales Operations, is responsible for leading and optimizing the operational infrastructure supporting field-based commercial teams. This role develops and oversees processes, analytics, systems, and cross-functional alignment that enable effective sales planning, performance management, forecasting, and execution. The position serves as a strategic partner to the Commercial leadership team to ensure disciplined, data-driven decision-making and operational excellence. The Associate Director will also contribute to functional strategic planning and ensure operational readiness to support product launches and ongoing field excellence initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
Field Operations Strategy & Leadership
- Lead and execute the field operations strategy to support commercial and medical field teams across all therapeutic areas.
- Establish scalable processes, tools, and policies that promote compliant and efficient field operations.
- Serve as the guide of field operations processes, governance, and performance standards.
- Partner with senior commercial leadership to anticipate operational needs and deploy proactive solutions.
- Oversee administration of CRM Platforms (roster systems, reporting portals) and guide enhancements with IT partners.
- Motus Fund Forecasting & Management
Lead a best-in-class incentive compensation function
- Facilitate the committee and processes to compliantly design, document and administer incentive plans.
- Design and administer compliant incentive compensation plans that appropriately motivate the commercial field team(s).
- Develop tracking, attainment reconciliation and payout calculation process.
- Design timely and effective standardized incentive compensation reporting.
- Lead quarterly IC committee discussions (present the proposal(s), address questions and obtain relevant approvals) from key stakeholders including commercial field leadership, legal, finance, compliance, and HR.
Field Team Enablement & Deployment
- Lead territory, roster, and alignment management, ensuring optimized coverage models and compliant assignment processes.
- Coordinate with Training, HR, and Compliance to manage onboarding operational components for new field hires.
- Ensure timely distribution and governance of field communications, playbooks, and process updates.
- Support field deployment planning for new product launches and field-force expansions or restructures.
Field Reporting & Insights
- Oversee development and maintenance of standardized reporting suites, dashboards, and business insights for field teams and leadership.
- Monitor KPIs, identify performance trends, and recommend operational improvements.
- Partner with Analytics and Data Operations teams to ensure accuracy, data integrity, and compliant use of field performance information.
Compliance, Quality, & Operational Excellence
- Ensure all field operational processes align with FDA, OIG, and corporate compliance expectations for a biotech environment.
- Collaborate with Compliance to maintain audit-ready documentation and field interaction controls.
- Lead continuous improvement projects to enhance efficiency, scalability, and quality of field operations systems and processes.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Maintain strong partnerships with Commercial, Medical Affairs, IT, Legal, HR, and Finance to support integrated field readiness.
- Represent Field Operations in strategic planning meetings, cross-functional governance forums, and launch preparation initiatives.
Qualifications
Other duties and responsibilities as assigned
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
- 10+ years of experience in Field Operations, Commercial Operations, Sales Operations, or related functions within biotech or pharmaceuticals.
- Proven experience in the development of strategic and equitable incentive compensation plans.
- Demonstrated leadership experience overseeing complex operational programs supporting field-based teams.
- Strong understanding of FDA, OIG, and industry compliance standards for field activities.
- Experience managing CRM systems (e.g., Veeva), field analytics platforms, and roster/alignment technologies.
- Proven ability to collaborate across functions and influence at senior levels.
Preferred Capabilities
- Experience supporting product launches in small–midsize biotech organizations.
- Prior management experience leading high-performing operations teams.
- Advanced analytical capabilities and familiarity with field insights or forecasting tools.
- Ability to design and scale SOPs, governance models, and operational infrastructure.
- Strong project management skills and comfort operating in fast-paced, evolving environments.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
- 10+ years of experience in Field Operations, Commercial Operations, Sales Operations, or related functions within biotech or pharmaceuticals.
- Proven experience in the development of strategic and equitable incentive compensation plans.
- Demonstrated leadership experience overseeing complex operational programs supporting field-based teams.
- Strong understanding of FDA, OIG, and industry compliance standards for field activities.
- Experience managing CRM systems (e.g., Veeva), field analytics platforms, and roster/alignment technologies.
- Proven ability to collaborate across functions and influence at senior levels.
- Experience supporting product launches in small–midsize biotech organizations.
- Prior management experience leading high-performing operations teams.
- Advanced analytical capabilities and familiarity with field insights or forecasting tools.
- Ability to design and scale SOPs, governance models, and operational infrastructure.
- Strong project management skills and comfort operating in fast-paced, evolving environments.
Benefits
- Competitive salary and annual bonus
- Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
- 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
- Life Insurance
- Flexible Spending Account
- Equity-Based Compensation
- Long-Term Incentive Plan
- Generous Parental Leave
- Family Planning Benefits
- Outstanding Culture
- Professional Growth Opportunities
Company overview
Deciphera Pharmaceuticals is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, with research facilities in Lawrence, Kansas. Founded in 2003, the company specializes in discovering, developing, and commercializing innovative medicines for cancer treatment. As a member of the ONO Group since June 2024, Deciphera leverages its proprietary switch-control kinase inhibitor platform and deep expertise in kinase biology to develop a diverse portfolio of oncology therapeutics. The company's flagship product, QINLOCK®, is an approved switch-control inhibitor for fourth-line gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), while its pipeline includes multiple clinical-stage candidates targeting various cancers and rare diseases. Deciphera's unique approach targets the switch pocket region of kinases, aiming to generate higher and more durable response rates compared to traditional kinase inhibitors. With a global presence spanning the United States, Europe, and Asia, the company maintains a patient-centric focus, developing transformational medicines to improve the lives of people living with cancer.