Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., is headquartered in Carlsbad, California, with offices in Boston, Massachusetts, and Dublin, Ireland.  For more than 30 years, Ionis has been the leader in RNA-targeted therapy, pioneering new markets and changing standards of care with our novel antisense technology.  Ionis currently has three marketed medicines and a premier late-stage pipeline highlighted by industry-leading cardiovascular and neurological franchises. Our scientific innovation began and continues with the knowledge that sick people depend on us, which fuels our vision to become the undisputed leader in genetic medicine, utilizing a multi-platform approach to discover, develop and deliver life-transforming therapies.

As the first company to fully harness the power of RNA technology for human therapeutics, Ionis’ platform continues to revolutionize drug discovery and transform lives for patients with unmet needs.  We are building upon our innovative research and drug development excellence to provide greater value to patients, and we are well positioned financially to deliver on our strategic goals.

Ionis is a challenging, motivating and rewarding environment designed to foster innovation and scientific excellence.  Our success is a direct result of our outstanding employees.  We are interested in bringing together a diverse group of individuals with different skill sets and perspectives into this creative environment to be part of a productive and inclusive team.  While acknowledging people are actively engaged in hybrid/remote work, we continue to invest time, money, and energy into making our workplace locations a place where our culture and employees can thrive.  We believe engaging on a day-to-day basis, in person,  builds solid and lasting relationships, and contributes positively to our culture and innovation.  From the heart of our stunning Carlsbad campus,  we aim to provide a central connection point for all our employees.  These facilities give us the opportunity to connect cross-functionally, collaborate and to build on the success of our business as we continue to grow.   Join us and experience our unique culture while you develop and expand your career.

VICE PRESIDENT, INVESTOR RELATIONS

SUMMARY

Reporting to the Senior Vice President of Investor Relations, the Vice President, Investor Relations (IR) will help develop and execute an integrated IR strategy that will align to and promote the business objectives and enhance the image and reputation of Ionis during the company’s exciting evolution. S/he will help lead investor relations strategies and activities, with specific attention to analyst and investor engagement in a proactive and transparent manner.  This position will be on-site at our headquarters in Carlsbad, CA or Boston, MA office.

Given the breadth and complexity of Ionis, the Vice President, Investor Relations must partner with finance, development, research, commercial, and corporate affairs functions to articulate an accurate and digestible message to the market to drive value creation. Furthermore, Ionis operates in a highly scientific environment and deals regularly with complex regulatory, legal, and commercial situations. It is essential that the Vice President, Investor Relations be able to understand and communicate (both written and verbally) the company’s key scientific, medical and business differentiators and trajectory to most effectively message the Ionis value proposition to external stakeholders. 

This leader will be expected to take a proactive stance toward the execution of the IR function. S/he will need to be investor and market savvy and will work closely with the executive management team and other functions to “sharpen the message” regarding the value the company is currently creating and that which it will creating in the near and long term. S/he will need to possess a strategic mindset, high quality communications skills and solid leadership characteristics. Success will be measured in part by her/his ability to develop and execute a metrics-driven approach toward maintaining and gaining new long-oriented shareholders and increasing positive sentiment towards Ionis among investors and analysts. 

The Vice President, Investor Relations will serve as the operational lead in preparing for earnings calls, investor meetings, investor events and industry conferences. S/he will help prepare senior executives for their interaction with the investment community and act as a conduit for information between the investment community and internal constituents across the company. It is critical, as a key communications leader for Ionis, that this individual develop an in-depth, comprehensive understanding of the company’s operations, clinical pipeline, technologies, financial performance, and strategies through regular interaction with company executives and business leaders across the organization. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direction of the SVP of Investor Relations, lead a proactive and strategic investor relations function built on best-practices and knowledge of the investment community. Of critical importance will be the ability to identify the key metrics used by the buy-side and sell-side to assess performance and results and incorporate those data points into the company’s messages on a consistent basis with the goal to increase positive attitudes towards the company and increase the company’s valuation.  Partner with the executive management team to lead and manage the company’s participation on quarterly earnings calls, investment conference calls and in-house meetings, road shows, analyst days, and one-on-one meetings.  Direct interaction and communication with existing and potential shareholders; grow, maintain and cultivate sell-side investment analyst coverage and coverage by the buy side institutional investment community.  Analyze stockholder base, conduct investor targeting and monitor top shareholder composition trends over time to ensure the company has the right investor base for its stage of development.  Work closely with Corporate Affairs to create the company’s external and internal messaging and ensure all external and internal communications are integrated and consistent.   Lead important communications development, such as preparing presentation decks, developing earnings releases, creating management Q&As, conference call scripts, and the annual report.  Conduct analysis and research in support of the earnings call process, including the analysis of competitor operating results and industry trends. S/he will use competitive intelligence to help craft a concise and differentiating message that sets Ionis apart from its peer group.  Track the models utilized by analysts to value/evaluate the company's performance (i.e., trends, earnings per share, return on equity, etc.) and communicate this information to the executive management team and other key internal constituents to help guide communication strategy.  Present and articulate the investor point of view to the executive management team and make recommendations as necessary and appropriate.  Maintain and communicate competitive intelligence and analysis and its impact on the Ionis business to senior management.  Lead and manage the Investor Relations portion of the company website.   Along with CEO, CFO and members of the senior management team, serve as spokesperson for the company at investment presentations, institutions, individual meetings and discussions as needed.  Work closely with human resources, corporate affairs, and corporate communications to maintain consistent internal and external messaging while keeping employees engaged with the overall strategy and performance of the company.   Collaborate with colleagues throughout the company in establishing the strategy development, operating plan, budget, and the detailed execution of the IR operating plan. 

REQUIREMENTS

The ideal candidate will be an energetic, roll-up-the-sleeves investor relations leader with well-established experience in industry or as an established buy-side investor, investment banker, or sell-side equity analyst covering the biotechnology/pharmaceutical industry. S/he must possess good financial acumen, the ability to steer business performance, make important decisions and have a down-to-earth business sense. Additionally, scientific knowledge and expertise from exposure to highly complex scientific industries (pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices) through previous roles or academic experience is an important consideration for this role. This individual must have the ability to create and implement a pro-active investor relations and communications strategy within a large-scale, complex enterprise.  Travel may be 20-30%.

The successful candidate will have outstanding communication and interpersonal skills; comprehensive business acumen; and the presence and leadership ability to maintain a high level of trust, credibility and confidence with Ionis’s leadership team and external stakeholders. Paramount is that the individual must be seen as a strong businessperson who knows how to partner with senior executives and guide change.  Experience in a high-visibility external role where judgment, tact, flexibility and resourcefulness are required. This individual has made public presentations to large audiences and been entrusted as a spokesperson for his/her company. Beyond functional skills and experiences, this individual must have a keen intellect and unquestioned ethics.  

Additional qualifications include: 

Investor relations, investment banking, or equity research (buy-side or sell-side) experience within or covering biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies. Experience at a reputable, well-regarded organization is essential.   Strong financial acumen; facile with all the company’s key financial statements. S/he must have a clear and thorough understanding of financial modeling used by investment professionals to value the organization’s performance.    Deep scientific knowledge, ideally established through academic pursuits and the attainment of an undergraduate/graduate level degrees or significant time working within the healthcare industry.  Strong reputation with Wall Street analysts and institutional investors.  Track record of successfully building a corporate profile.   An individual with strong emotional intelligence and tenacity for driving change when and where appropriate.   Ability to communicate in an in-depth fashion about scientific and clinical developments.  Ability to execute in ambiguous situations and take the lead without explicit instructions.  Ability to develop, synthesize and present perspectives on key strategic/financial issues.  Proactive, self-motivated, and detail oriented.  Computer skills are a must (particularly Word and PowerPoint).  Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in the sciences is preferred. 

In terms of the performance and personal competencies required for the position, we would highlight the following: 

Setting Strategy 

The ability to create and articulate an inspiring vision for the organization, not only for the areas they are directly responsible for, but the enterprise.  The inclination to seek and analyze data from a variety of sources to support decisions and to align others with the organization's overall strategy.  An entrepreneurial and creative approach to developing new, innovative ideas that will stretch the organization and push the boundaries within the industry.  The ability to effectively balance the desire/need for broad change with an understanding of how much change the organization is capable of handling, to create realistic goals and implementation plans that are achievable and successful. 

Executing for Results 

The ability to set clear and challenging goals while committing the organization to improved performance, tenacious and accountable in driving results.  Comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty; the ability to adapt nimbly and lead others through complex situations.  A prudent risk-taker who seeks data and input from others to foresee possible threats or unintended circumstances from decisions; someone who takes smart risks.  A leader who is viewed by others as having a high degree of integrity and forethought in their approach to making decisions; the ability to act in a transparent and consistent manner while always considering what is best for the organization. 

Leading Teams 

The ability to attract and recruit top talent, motivate the team, delegate effectively, celebrate diversity within the team, and manage performance; widely viewed as a strong developer of others.  The ability to persevere in the face of challenges and exhibit a steadfast resolve and relentless commitment to higher standards, which commands respect from followers.  A leader who is self-reflective and aware of their own limitations; leads by example and drives the organization's performance with an attitude of continuous improvement by being open to feedback and self-improvement. 

Relationships and Influence 

Naturally connects and builds strong relationships with others, demonstrating strong emotional intelligence and an ability to communicate clearly and persuasively.  An ability to inspire trust and followership in others through compelling influence, powerful charisma, passion in their beliefs, and active drive.  Encourages others to share the spotlight and visibly celebrates and supports the success of the team.  Creates a sense of purpose/meaning for the team that generates followership beyond their own personality and engages others to the greater purpose for the organization. 

Driving Sustainability 

Firmly believes that both sustainability and profit are in the organization’s best long-term interest.  Integrates economic, societal, and environmental factors into a purpose-driven strategy, turning sustainability into a competitive advantage.  Understands and incorporates viewpoints from all key stakeholders to drive decision making and share the benefits.  Delivers breakthrough innovations and business models that create value for all stakeholders, continually challenging traditional approaches.  Sets appropriate business and sustainability goals, driving concerted action and investments, and stays the course in the face of setbacks or push-back from short-term oriented stakeholders. 

Please visit our website, www.ionis.com for more information about Ionis and to apply for this position; reference requisition #IONIS003308

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=to%20Applicants%C2%A0%C2%BB-,Benefits,-Employees%20are%20rewarded

The pay scale for this position is $239,929 – $335,861

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. PRINCIPALS ONLY.
Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and all its subsidiaries are proud to be EEO employers.