Director Sales Training, Europe (1 year contract)

Cytokinetics; Zug; Hybrid; CHF 210,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Cytokinetics, a specialty cardiovascular biopharmaceutical company, is seeking a Director of European Commercial Training & Capability. Based in Zug with hybrid work, this 1-year contract (extendable) reports to the Head of Marketing, Europe and drives a holistic training strategy across Europe.

You will architect the European capability blueprint, build competency models for KAMs and first‑line managers, design high‑impact workshops, coach field teams, and develop just‑in‑time tools to support

Qualifications

• BS/BA degree with 12+ years in pharma and launch experience.
• 7+ years pharmaceutical experience with product launches.
• 5+ years sales training experience.
• Fluent in English; other European languages advantageous.
• Understanding EFPIA and local drug promotion regulations.

Responsibilities

• Architect the European Capability Blueprint: define and own the multi-year European Commercial Training & Capabilities strategy, aligning learning pathways with commercial objectives.
• Build Core Competency Models: establish scalable competency frameworks, onboarding tracks, and continuous learning for KAMs, First-Line Managers, and field teams.
• Directly Design & Facilitate High-Impact Training: author curriculum and lead workshops (sales bootcamps, negotiation, value-based selling, launch execution).
• Co-Travel & Field Coaching: conduct joint field visits to coach field teams and refine curriculum based on real-world dynamics.
• Rapid-Response Resource Development: create just-in-time toolkits, objection-handling guides, and digital micro-learning assets.

Skills

Sales training

Leadership

Digital learning

European markets

Education

BS/BA degree

Job description

Cytokinetics is a specialty cardiovascular biopharmaceutical company, building on its over 25 years of pioneering scientific innovations in muscle biology, and advancing a pipeline of potential new medicines for patients suffering from diseases of cardiac muscle dysfunction.

This Director will report to the Head of Marketing, Europe. Your primary responsibility will be to create a holistic European Commercial training & Capability. In this role, you will be responsible for identifying leading-edge, innovative training solutions that enable customer engagement, education, and prescribing.

The role will also hold comprehensive oversight of commercial training activities for Europe, establishing objective, evidence-based standards for excellence.

This is a hybrid, full-time role, based in our Zug office, offering a 1 year contract with possibility of extension.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Learning Architecture

• Architect the European Capability Blueprint: Define and own the multi-year European Commercial Training & Capabilities strategy, aligning learning pathways directly with European commercial business objectives and launch rollouts.
• Build Core Competency Models: Establish scalable competency frameworks, onboarding tracks, and continuous learning pathways for Key Account Managers (KAMs), First-Line Managers, and field teams across European affiliates.

Active Facilitation & Content Co-Creation

• Directly Design & Facilitate High-Impact Training: Personally author curriculum and lead interactive, high-stakes workshops (e.g., initial sales bootcamps, advanced negotiation, value-based selling, and launch execution).
• Co-Travel & Field Coaching: Conduct regular joint field visits and KAM co-travel across European key markets to coach field teams directly, observe execution challenges firsthand, and refine curriculum based on real-world customer dynamics.
• Rapid-Response Resource Development: Hands‑on creation of tactical, point‑of‑need ("just‑in‑time") toolkits, objection‑handling guides, and digital micro‑learning assets supporting immediate field needs.

Launch Readiness & Commercial Execution

• Enable Commercial Launch Preparedness: Lead the hands‑on design and execution of commercial launch readiness training for upcoming product launches across European target markets.
• Omnichannel & Digital Engagement Capability: Train and upskill KAMs and field leaders on hybrid customer engagement, ensuring seamless integration of digital tools, remote calls, and CRM workflow into daily account planning.

Performance Analytics & Stakeholder Partnering

• Measure Business Impact & ROI: Establish practical metrics and dashboarding to track training completion, field competency progression, and tangible ROI on commercial performance.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with Country GMs, Sales Leaders, Marketing, Market Access, Medical Affairs, and Compliance to ensure training content is localized, compliant, and aligned with regional commercial strategies.

European Training

• Direct and supervise all Sales Training activities across Europe, ensuring selection, development, and competency metrics are structured and evaluated using objective criteria.
• Develop specific training plans aligned with marketing and sales strategic direction, executed within budget, by deeply understanding the challenges Key Account Management (KAM) and Sales Managers face.
• Facilitate comprehensive training solutions, including core initial training and ongoing curriculum designed to enhance KAM competencies.
• Measure the effectiveness of training using quantitative analytics to enhance overall offerings and ensure clear ROI.
• Partner with customer‑facing teams and sales leadership to optimize digital and virtual customer engagement training and pull‑through.
• Consult with marketing and sales team members on just‑in‑time training approaches supporting tactical implementation.
• Partner effectively with Market Access, Compliance, GMs, Corporate, HR, and other stakeholders to develop and deliver essential training.
• Address the unique challenges of serving field‑based audiences when developing comprehensive training solutions.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate effectively with Brand Marketing, Creative/CRM/Digital agencies, Market Research, Analytics, IT, Sales Operations, HR and Medical/Regulatory/Legal business partners.
• Troubleshoot roadblocks and identify creative, compliant solutions to facilitate the forward motion of new initiatives.

Qualifications

• BS/BA degree with 12+ years of experience including 7+ years of pharmaceutical experience with product launch experience and minimum of 5 years sales training experience. Fluent in English, other relevant European languages are an advantage.
• Demonstrable experience across a range of practical digital disciplines such as paid media, SEO, digital analytics, UX design, email marketing, etc.
• Significant experience working with creative and media agencies is required
• Be able to manage and work within financial and budgetary goals
• An understanding of EFPIA and local regulations for drug promotions and experience in working with legal, medical and regulatory review processes
• Understands challenges of serving field‑based audiences when developing training solutions.

Pay Range

Our employees come from different backgrounds, and we celebrate those differences. We are looking for the best candidates for our open roles, but do not expect applicants to meet every qualification in order to be considered. If you are excited about what you could accomplish at Cytokinetics and believe you can add value to our team, we would love to hear from you.

Please review our GDPR policy PRIOR to applying.

Our passion is anchored in robust scientific thinking, grounded in integrity and critical thinking. We keep the patient front and center in all we do – all actions and decisions are in service of the patient and their caregivers. We champion integrity, ethics, doing the right thing, and being our best selves.

Please visit our website at: www.cytokinetics.com

Cytokinetics is an Equal Opportunity Employer