Director of US Forecasting & Market Research - Job ID: 1809

Ascendis Pharma is a fast-growing biopharmaceutical company with locations in Denmark, United States, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and France.

Guided by our core values of Patients, Science, and Passion, we are applying our innovative TransCon technology platform to build a leading, fully integrated biopharmaceutical company. We have a diverse pipeline designed to make a meaningful difference for patients.

The Director of US Forecasting and Market Research will be responsible for leading the US efforts spanning commercial forecasting, performance reporting, and generation of primary market research and insights to drive impactful decision-making.

This highly visible role will serve as a trust through partner to US Commercial and Global leadership, bridging primary and secondary insights to shape and drive impactful decision making.

The Director will report to Sr. Director of Analytics and Commercial Operations and be based in Princeton, NJ in a hybrid model and will be heavily integrated with US business leadership. 

This role will have four main areas of focus:

Forecasting and Market Research: 

• Lead the efforts to build and evolve the US patient and revenue forecasting efforts across the product portfolio, ensuring accuracy and alignment with industry standards

• Ensure ongoing partnership with the broader US Analytics & Commercial Operations team and broader USBU Business Partners to support the integration of disparate data sets, analyze market data, competitor information, and other factors to inform and adjust both the near-term and long-range forecasts

• Design and lead primary and secondary market research and insights gathering efforts supporting the US market (Quant and qual HCP/payer/patient/caregiver ATUs, Marketing Mix, Sales Force Effectiveness, Chart audits, benchmarking)

• Ensure primary insights are informing field and secondary data analytics, cross-functional business decisions, and monthly business reviews

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication: 

• Develop structured feedback mechanisms from field teams and synthesize analytics and insights into actionable recommendations

• Partner closely with Sales, Marketing, Market Access and Patient Services, Finance, Global to ensure alignment between US product forecasts and driving strategic decision making

• Collaborate cross-functionally with Forecasting, IT, Market Research, and external vendors to ensure data accuracy, structured story telling, and to maintain coordinated approach to performance reporting

Strategic Insights & Innovation: 

• Present insights and forecast results to senior leadership, providing recommendations to drive business decisions

• Support brands by enabling data and insight driven decision making through scenario modeling, forecast assessments, qual insights, and competitive assessments

• Continuously review forecasting methodologies and processes for improvement, applying industry best practices to enhance forecasting capabilities.

Requirements:
The ideal candidate will be a highly analytical and strategic thinker with 8-12 years of experience and a proven track record in revenue forecasting, ideally within the pharmaceutical or healthcare industry.  

Education: Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree (MS, MBA) in a quantitative or healthcare-related discipline strongly preferred.

Specific skills include: 

• Extensive experience with building long range patient-based forecasting models and utilizing trends-based forecasting to reconcile strategic drivers for near-term performance

• Experience with designing, executing, and synthesizing key primary research efforts, ATU surveys, and other qualitative and quantitative modalities

• Exceptional data analysis skills with a deep understanding of market trends, competitor landscapes, and regulatory changes 

• Strong communicator with experience presenting complex insights to senior leadership 

• Proven ability to collaborate cross-functionally with teams 

• Proactive, detail-oriented, and skilled in identifying risks and opportunities 

• Continuous improvement mindset, focused on enhancing forecasting methodologies and processes 

• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across the organization 

• Adaptable to a fast-changing business environment 

• Knowledge of industry best practices in forecasting, with a passion for leveraging new tools and technologies to improve efficiency 

• Background in market analysis or forecasting, particularly within the US market 

• Strong understanding of financial and operational aspects of forecasting 

Place of work: Princeton, NJ. Hybrid model with an expectation of three days each week in-office for coordination and collaborative purposes. 

For more details about the position or the company, please contact Penney Busichio, Talent Acquisition Partner / [email protected] or visit our website  

All applications must be submitted in English and are treated confidentially. 

Applications will be evaluated when received, so please apply as soon as possible.

The estimated salary range for this position is $210,000 to $230,000. Actual salary determination is dependent on a variety of factors some of which include: experience, qualifications, and geographic location. This position may be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus or an incentive compensation plan (eligibility varies based on role and position level), discretionary stock-based long-term incentives, paid time off, and a comprehensive benefits package.

A note to recruiters:

We do not allow external search party solicitation. Presentation of candidates without written permission from the Ascendis Pharma Inc Human Resources team (specifically Talent Acquisition Partner or Human Resources Director) is not allowed. If this occurs your ownership of these candidates will not be acknowledged.

Benefits:
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• Company-offered Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance
• Company-provided short and long-term disability benefits
• Unique offerings of Pet Insurance and Legal Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Discounts
• Professional Development
• Health Saving Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various incentive compensation plans
• Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance
• Mental Health resources
• Paid leave benefits for new parents