Associate Director, Field Incentive Compensation

Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, and with offices in Boston, Massachusetts, and Dublin, Ireland, Ionis has been at work for more than three decades discovering medical breakthroughs that have redefined life for people with serious diseases. We’re pioneers in RNA-targeted medicines, and our platform continues to revolutionize drug discovery and transform lives for patients with unmet needs.  With multiple marketed medicines and a leading pipeline in neurology, cardiology and select areas of high patient needs, we continue to drive innovation in RNA therapies in addition to advancing new approaches in gene editing to provide greater value to patients and are well positioned financially to deliver on our strategic goals.

At Ionis, we pride ourselves on cultivating a challenging, motivating and rewarding environment that fosters innovation and scientific excellence. We know that our success is a direct result of the exceptional talents and dedication of our employees. 

With an unprecedented opportunity to change the course of human health, we look to add diverse individuals, skill sets and perspectives to our exceptional team. We continue to invest time, money and energy into making our onsite, hybrid and remote work environments a place where solid and lasting relationships are built and where our culture and employees can thrive. 

We’re building on our rich history, and we believe our greatest achievements are ahead of us. If you’re passionate about the opportunity to have meaningful impact on patients in need, we invite you to apply and join us. Experience and contribute to our unique culture while you develop and expand your career!

Associate Director, Field Incentive Compensation

The Associate Director, Field Incentive Compensation (FIC) plays a key role in supporting the design, implementation, and execution of field incentive plans that drive alignment between commercial objectives and field performance. This individual will collaborate across Commercial, HR, Finance and Compliance to ensure plans are sound, accurately calculated, and clearly communicated to the field. The role requires a blend of analytical rigor, operational excellence, and cross-functional partnership to ensure the FIC program motivates desired behaviors and meets compliance standards.

Key Responsibilities

Incentive Compensation Strategy, Design, and Execution

• Partner with Sales Leadership, HR, Compliance and Finance to design and implement FIC plans that align with business objectives and governance principles
• Support the FIC design cycle, including modeling scenarios, analyzing historical data, and recommending plan refinements
• Ensure accurate documentation and timely communication of FIC plans and policy updates
• Collaborate cross functionally to execute IC calculations and ensure transparent, accurate, and timely payouts

Vendor and System Management

• Manage relationships with external FIC vendors, ensuring deliverables meet timelines, quality standards, and budget expectations
• Partner with internal stakeholders to support system integrations that enhance automation and data accuracy
• Contribute to system enhancements and dashboard improvements

Analytics and Reporting

• Conduct regular analysis of performance data to assess FIC plan effectiveness and recommend adjustments to optimize motivation and ROI
• Partner cross functionally to maintain data integrity and streamline reporting workflows
• Prepare regular performance summaries and insights for Sales Leadership and governance review.

Field Communication and Support

• Develop clear and effective communication materials to educate Sales Leaders and field teams on FIC plan structure, metrics, and payout logic
• Partner with Commercial Operations to ensure timely distribution of plan documents and performance reports
• Act as a subject matter expert for field inquiries related to FIC policies and calculations, providing timely and accurate responses

Governance and Compliance

• Ensure FIC plans are aligned with corporate governance policies and compliance standards
• Participate in FIC governance reviews by providing data-driven insights and documentation to support plan approval processes
• Maintain historical archives of plan designs, methodologies, and payout data for audit and compliance purposes

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or related advanced degree preferred
• 8–10 years of experience in Incentive Compensation, Sales/Commercial Operations, or Commercial Analytics in the pharmaceutical or life sciences industry
• Proven ability to translate strategic goals into practical FIC designs and operational processes
• Understanding of compliance implications and regulator considerations in IC plan development
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; proficiency in Excel, Power BI, and CRM systems (e.g., Veeva)
• Demonstrated experience managing vendors and supporting system integrations
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across teams and influence without direct authority
• Strong analytical thinker who thrives on translating complex data into actionable insights
• Skilled collaborator with strong relationship-building ability across Commercial, HR, Finance, Compliance etc.
• Detail-oriented, organized, and able to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
• Trusted partner who ensures accuracy, transparency, and fairness in all FIC processes

Please visit our website, http://www.ionis.com for more information about Ionis and to apply for this position; reference requisition #IONIS003565

Ionis offers an excellent benefits package! Follow this link for more details: Ionis Benefits 

Full Benefits Link: https://www.ionis.com/careers/working-at-ionis/#:~:text=our employee spotlight-,Benefits,-Employees are rewarded 

The pay scale for this position is $124,000 - 164,000 

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. PRINCIPALS ONLY. 

Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and all its subsidiaries are proud to be EEO employers.

Salary : $124,000 - $164,000