Senior Oncology Sales Specialist – Italy
Shaping the Future of Oncology Through Innovation, Insight, and Partnership
Illumina is seeking a highly motivated Senior Oncology Sales Specialist to join our Southern Europe Commercial team. In this field-based role, you will be responsible for driving growth of our oncology product portfolio primarily across Italy.
You will serve as a trusted advisor and technical product expert, guiding customers through complex solutions in molecular diagnostics, translational research, and clinical oncology. Working in close collaboration with Account Managers, Channel Partners, and cross-functional colleagues, you will support strategic account development, influence key stakeholders, and accelerate adoption of Illumina’s cutting-edge oncology solutions.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced oncology commercial professional who wants to make a real impact by advancing precision oncology and supporting healthcare providers and researchers in the fight against cancer.
Location
This is a field-based position. Candidates should be based in Milan or Rome, or in another location that allows efficient coverage of the Italian territory. Travel will be mostly within Italy, with occasional visits to Slovenia, Croatia and Greece (~60% overall).
Key Responsibilities
As a Senior Oncology Sales Specialist, you will:
- Drive Market Growth: Achieve and exceed sales objectives for Illumina’s oncology portfolio by winning new accounts, expanding existing relationships, and positioning Illumina as the trusted partner of choice.
- Strategic Planning: Develop and execute a business plan with clear objectives, focusing on early adopters, strategic labs, and clinical accounts.
- Customer Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with oncologists, molecular pathologists, laboratory directors, and key opinion leaders (KOLs).
- Sales Collaboration: Partner with Account Managers, Sales Specialists and Channel Partners to identify opportunities, qualify leads, and close sales.
- Technical Expertise: Confidently understand and present complex oncology workflows (NGS, liquid biopsy, companion diagnostics, biomarkers, etc.) to diverse stakeholders in clinical and research settings.
- Training & Enablement: Educate and support Account Managers, Channel Partners, and customers with resources, commercialization plans, and product updates. Deliver impactful presentations at meetings, seminars, and symposia.
- Pipeline Development: Build and manage a robust pipeline of oncology opportunities (short-, medium-, and long-term). Provide accurate forecasts via CRM tools.
- Cross-Functional Leadership: Lead and contribute to strategic projects with Marketing, Medical Affairs, Patient Advocacy, Market Access, and Government Affairs.
- Voice of Customer: Gather and share customer insights to inform Illumina’s product development and marketing strategies.
- Brand Ambassador: Represent Illumina at oncology congresses, tradeshows, and conferences in Italy and across Southern Europe.
Requirements
- Education: Bachelor’s degree required; MSc/PhD in Life Sciences, Medicine, or related field strongly preferred.
- Experience:
- Proven track record in sales within the oncology field.
- Demonstrated success in developing accounts and achieving growth targets.
- Strong technical knowledge of oncology workflows, including molecular biology, genomics, and NGS.
- Skills:
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
- Ability to network at all organizational levels and build long-term KOL relationships.
- Strategic, entrepreneurial mindset with a strong customer focus.
- Languages: Fluency in Italian and English required.
- Travel: Willingness to travel ~60%, mainly in Italy, with occasional visits to Slovenia, Croatia and Greece.
Why Join Illumina?
At Illumina, our mission is to improve human health by unlocking the power of the genome. As part of the oncology team, you will play a vital role in advancing precision oncology, supporting healthcare providers and researchers in their fight against cancer.
We offer industry-leading benefits including:
- Flexible time off and volunteer time off
- Private medical insurance and leisure travel insurance
- Pension and employee stock purchase plan
- Compassion and care time off
- Ongoing training, mentorship, and career development opportunities
At Illumina, we dream big, push boundaries, and think beyond the conventional. Join us and be part of a team shaping the future of oncology and making a real impact on patients’ lives.
We are a company deeply rooted in belonging, promoting an inclusive environment where employees feel valued and empowered to contribute to our mission. Built on a strong foundation, Illumina has always prioritized openness, collaboration, and seeking alternative perspectives to propel innovation in genomics. We are proud to confirm a zero-net gap in pay, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or race. We also have several Employee Resource Groups (ERG) that deliver career development experiences, increase cultural awareness, and offer opportunities to engage in social responsibility. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employment opportunity regardless of sex, race, creed, color, gender, religion, marital status, domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military or veteran status, citizenship status, and genetic information. Illumina conducts background checks on applicants for whom a conditional offer of employment has been made. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws. Background check results may potentially result in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment. The background check process and any decisions made as a result shall be made in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws. Illumina prohibits the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the application and interview process. If you require accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact [email protected]. To learn more, visit: https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf. The position will be posted until a final candidate is selected or the requisition has a sufficient number of qualified applicants. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree required
- MSc/PhD in Life Sciences, Medicine, or related field strongly preferred
- Proven track record in sales within the oncology field
- Demonstrated success in developing accounts and achieving growth targets
- Strong technical knowledge of oncology workflows, including molecular biology, genomics, and NGS
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills
- Ability to network at all organizational levels and build long-term KOL relationships
- Strategic, entrepreneurial mindset with a strong customer focus
- Fluency in Italian and English required
Illumina Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Illumina and has not been reviewed or approved by Illumina.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage includes comprehensive medical (HMO/PPO), dental, vision, mental health, life, and disability insurance with options such as FSAs/HSAs and wellness resources. Offerings are described as robust across regions with customization in certain locations.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time-off programs include flexible schedules and remote work, PTO or flexible time off, paid holidays and sick leave, and volunteer time. Company-wide shutdowns during summer and winter add additional paid time away.
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Parental & Family Support — Family-focused programs include fertility assistance, adoption assistance, and reproductive health support alongside family medical leave. Paid parental leave is provided, with specifics varying by country and employment status.
Illumina Insights
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