Associate Director, New Product Planning

When our people share why they joined Rapport and love it here, it comes down to three things: the science, the mission, and the team. At Rapport, we’re driven by a passion for developing precision neuromedicines with the potential for fewer side effects, enabling patients and their families to enjoy healthier, more fulfilling lives. And we’re doing this with extraordinary science and awesome people (affectionately called Rapptors).  Our innovative scientific platform is centered on Receptor Associate Proteins (RAPs). RAPs are a component of neuronal receptor complexes, which play a crucial role in regulating receptor assembly and function. This precision approach has the potential to revolutionize the development of small molecule therapies. We are excited about the potential of our lead program, RAP-219. Our first indication targets focal epilepsy with additional clinical trials in primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures (PGTCS) and bipolar disorder. The strength of Rapport comes from our Rapptors – who are united by our mission to improve patients lives. We bring the heart and hustle to advance our science forward, always staying true to our core values. We hope you’re as excited about this opportunity as we are! We anticipate hiring for this role in mid-Q4. The preferred location for this role is in Boston, MA with an onsite requirement of Monday-Wednesday every week. Your impact: The Associate Director, New Product Planning is a key member of cross-functional program teams, providing market insights, research, and analysis to inform the commercial strategy for pipeline assets from early discovery and clinical development through launch readiness . This individual will conduct market research and build rigorous forecasts, lead commercial opportunity assessments, and translate clinical, scientific, and market data into actionable strategic recommendations for senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders. The ideal candidate combines strong analytical and financial modeling skills with strategic business judgment, and thrives in ambiguous, fast-moving environments typical of early-stage assets. Your day-to-day:    Forecasting & Analytics Build, maintain, and continuously refine multi-year commercial forecasts (epidemiology-based and analog-based) for pipeline assets across multiple indications and geographies Develop patient flow, market share, and pricing/access models to support investment decisions, licensing evaluations, and portfolio prioritization Stress-test forecast assumptions through sensitivity analyses and scenario planning; clearly communicate key drivers, risks, and uncertainty ranges Commercial Opportunity Assessment Lead end-to-end opportunity assessments for early- and mid-stage pipeline assets, including market sizing, competitive landscape analysis, unmet need evaluation, and target product profile (TPP) development through combination of primary and desktop research, and manage primary market research (physician, patient, payer) to inform positioning and forecast assumptions; manage relationships with external vendors/consultants Partner with Discovery, Medical, Clinical Development, Regulatory, and Market Access to evaluate indication sequencing, target population definition, and differentiation strategy Synthesize primary and secondary market research (KOL interviews, payer/provider surveys, syndicated data) into clear quantitative and qualitative outputs to guide investment and program-level decisions Strategic Planning & Decision Support Support in-licensing, out-licensing, and M&A due diligence with commercial assessments and valuation inputs Prepare materials for governance forums (portfolio reviews, program committees, board updates), presenting complex analyses in a clear, concise, and decision-ready format Contribute to long-range portfolio planning, identifying lifecycle opportunities, and informing R&D prioritization. Subject matter expert on market dynamics, TPP, and associated revenue opportunity for assigned programs. Cross-Functional Leadership Partner closely with R&D program teams to provide commercial input into program-level decision models (e.g., go/no-go criteria, indication sequencing, trial design trade-offs, target product profile refinement), ensuring commercial assumptions and market realities are reflected in development strategy Represent the commercial perspective on program teams and governance forums, translating clinical development scenarios into commercial implications (revenue impact, competitive positioning, market access considerations) to inform R&D investment decisions Serve as a thought partner to Discovery, Development, Finance, and future Commercial teams throughout asset lifecycle planning Experienced in managing relationships with external vendors and consultants supporting market research and forecasting workstreams Travel: Ability to travel approximately 20% or more depending on business needs, and congress attendance Must-Haves: Bachelor's degree required; MBA, MPH, or advanced life sciences degree is a plus 5+ years of relevant experience in pharmaceutical/biotech commercial strategy, new product planning, or life sciences management consulting Demonstrated expertise in building and defending complex forecasting models (Excel-based; familiarity with forecasting software a plus) Strong track record of leading or contributing to commercial opportunity assessments, market sizing, and competitive intelligence analyses Life science consulting experience (e.g., strategy consulting, commercial due diligence, or pharma-focused advisory) strongly preferred Excellent analytical, quantitative, and financial modeling skills Strong executive presence with the ability to communicate complex data clearly to senior leadership Experience working cross-functionally across R&D, Medical, Commercial, and Finance Therapeutic area experience in neurology and/