Senior Cell Therapy Account Manager - East Los Angeles, CA
Kite Pharma
Summary
The Cell Therapy Account Manager (CTAM) is the commercial account lead for designated academic hospitals (ATC) and surrounding community networks (referral networks). This role is responsible for driving demand, across Brand and CART class share and ensuring the successful adoption of Kite CAR T therapies through strategic account ownership, cross functional collaboration, and deep clinical expertise. The CTAM owns the performance of assigned Authorized Treatment Centers (ATCs) and community referral networks, serving as the primary point of accountability for account strategy, execution, and results.
Job description
Key Responsibilities
Account Ownership & Demand Generation
- Own overall performance, strategy, and execution for assigned ATCs and associated referral networks
- Drive appropriate patient identification, referral, and therapy adoption through compliant education and engagement
- Differentiate Kite CAR T therapies versus alternative options using approved messaging
- Develop and execute comprehensive account and territory plans aligned with regional and national priorities
- Deliver against defined sales goals, KPIs, and growth objectives
Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Leadership
- Build trusted relationships with treating physicians, referrers, transplant teams, administrators, and key influencers
- Navigate complex academic and integrated delivery networks to align priorities and remove barriers to care
- Lead engagement across multiple stakeholders to support class and brand growth
- Represent Kite at scientific congresses, speaker programs, and peer to peer educational forums
Patient Access & Cell Therapy Coordination
- Identify, map, and optimize patient referral pathways within hematology and oncology networks
- Partner with cross functional peers to support patient access, reimbursement education, and logistical coordination
- Support ATC readiness and comfort with CAR T processes to enable demand generation
Cross Functional Leadership & Collaboration
- Act as the “quarterback” across Medical, Market Access, Operations, and ATC Onboarding teams
- Provide timely insights on account trends, competitive dynamics, and market opportunities
- Influence resource prioritization to address account specific needs and growth opportunities
- Ensure all activities are executed in compliance with company policies
Success in This Role Looks Like
- Sustained growth in referrals (Class) and treated patients (Brand)
- Strong, trusted partnerships across key stakeholders within each account
- Consistent execution of strategic account plans that drive brand and class share
- Proactive identification and resolution of access, operational, and market barriers
- High standards of compliance, professionalism, and cross functional collaboration
Requirements
- PhD/PharmD with 2+ years of rare disease, Hematology/Oncology, or complex account experience
- Master’s degree with 6+ years of rare disease, Hematology/Oncology, or complex account experience
- Bachelor’s degree with 8+ years of rare disease, Hematology/Oncology, or complex account experience
- Bachelor’s degree with 8+ years of commercial sales experience (or equivalent combinations of education and experience)
- Proven success in rare disease pharmaceutical, Hematology/Oncology, or complex account sales
- Hematology/oncology or cell therapy experience
- Experience managing large, sophisticated accounts with multiple stakeholders
- Strong business acumen, planning, and execution skills
- Ability to work independently and within matrix team environment in a fast paced, field-based environment
- Willingness to travel approximately 25%
- Launch experience within academic hospital or transplant center settings
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross functional account teams without direct authority
- Elite selling skills backed by a proven track record of success
- Ability to identify specific, appropriate patients and gain a meaningful commitment from treaters and referrers
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate data into actionable strategy
Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- Life Insurance
- Discretionary Annual Bonus
- Discretionary Stock-Based LTI
- Paid Time Off
Company overview
Kite Pharma, Inc. is an American biotechnology company specializing in cancer immunotherapy with a primary focus on genetically engineered autologous CAR T cell therapy. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Kite was acquired by Gilead Sciences in 2017 for $11.9 billion. The company develops cell-based therapies that reengineer a patient's own immune cells to attack and fight cancer cells, representing a personalized approach to cancer treatment. Kite's lead product, Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel), was the first CAR T therapy approved by the FDA for treating adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma. With approximately 2,000 employees and manufacturing facilities in California, Maryland, and the Netherlands, Kite operates as an independent company within Gilead Sciences while maintaining its singular focus on advancing cell therapy to treat and potentially cure cancer. The company's innovative approach represents a paradigm shift in cancer treatment, moving away from traditional pharmaceutical manufacturing to individualized cell therapies created one patient at a time.