How Specialty Business Managers Drive Impact in Dermatology Sales
Make every conversation count. Change what's possible for patients.
Meet Ken Curtis. A customer-centric sales leader who has spent the past six years growing his career at Takeda, taking part in leadership programs to build future-ready skills and gaining hands-on experience through interim roles. Now, he’s growing his team!
Ken wants you to know what he looks for in a Specialty Business Manager, and why leading his dermatology sales team with values and accountability matters especially as we have the potential to make a first-choice advanced therapy accessible for people living with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Read on for his hiring manager Q&A interview.
Let’s jump right in. Why Takeda? Why this team? Why now’?
Why Takeda? Takeda is a place that genuinely invests in its people. I am proof of that. We are also committed to innovation that can make a difference for patients.
Why now? This is a unique moment to join Takeda and this team. We’re at a point where there’s real momentum both in terms of our pipeline and the impact we’re positioned to make. That creates opportunities to be part of something meaningful. If you apply now, you could step in, contribute early, and help shape how we show up in the field in a new market for the company.
Why this team? Because it’s a group that values collaboration, accountability, and doing things the right way! It’s about patients, trust, reputation and then business. Finally, we push each other, but we also support each other.
What does ‘meaningful work’ look like day-to-day and how would you describe the impact a Specialty Business Manager at Takeda can make in the dermatology sales space?
For me, meaningful work on this team comes down to the impact you can have every single day. It’s about showing up with purpose, whether that’s helping a provider better understand a solution that could improve patient outcomes or working cross-functionally to remove barriers and move things forward.
You’re not just executing tasks, you’re building real partnerships, influencing decisions, and contributing to something bigger than yourself. You can see the connection between what you do and the difference it makes, both for the business and ultimately for patients.
Hear from real people living with psoriasis and learn about their journeys from diagnosis to advocacy for others.
How would you define “great” values-based selling on the part of a Specialty Business Manager in the dermatology space?
Day-to-day, that looks like bringing strong clinical acumen, asking thoughtful questions, and tailoring the conversation so it builds logically over time. You’re not trying to ‘push’ a message, you’re helping connect evidence to real patient scenarios, reinforcing key insights with the right cadence and resources. Great sales people are very deliberate about who they engage, what they prioritize, and how they follow up. They build trust by being reliable, scientifically grounded, and always focused on improving patient care.
What does collaboration look like on your dermatology sales team?
Partnership with cross-functional teams is critical in this role because no one function can do it alone. Each group, sales, medical, access, and marketing—brings a different lens, and when it works well, it creates a much more complete and impactful experience for HCPs. Great collaboration isn’t just communication, it’s being proactive, transparent, and solutions oriented. It’s about respecting each function’s expertise, staying within compliant boundaries, and working together toward a common goal. In practice, that means staying closely aligned on priorities, sharing insights from the field, and knowing when to bring in the right partner to add value.
How might the right candidates be able to grow their sales career at Takeda?
Career growth in these roles can take a few different paths here, which is one of the things that makes them so appealing. I’ve seen people grow deeper within sales taking on larger geographies or more complex accounts. I’ve also seen transitions into areas like training, marketing, access, or even leadership. What really enables that growth is a combination of performance, curiosity, and willingness to step into new challenges.
Takeda and our leaders support that by creating stretch opportunities. That can look like taking on interim roles, special projects, or getting exposure to cross-functional teams to build new skills in a real-world setting. We also focus on ongoing development through coaching, feedback, and formal programs, so individuals not only understand what’s possible, but feel supported and prepared to take the next step when the opportunity comes.
Learn more about career growth at Takeda.
What challenges might someone expect to face working here?
I think it’s important to be real, this role comes with high expectations and requires intention and resilience.
You’re often operating in a complex, evolving environment where you need to balance clinical depth, business priorities, and compliance. That can be challenging, especially when things aren’t always perfectly defined and you’re being asked to navigate ambiguity. It also requires a high level of ownership.
You must be proactive about prioritizing your time, identifying opportunities, and pulling in the right cross-functional partners. No one is going to do that for you. And because we work in a highly regulated space, success means being very thoughtful about how you engage and communicate.
That said, the people who do well here are the ones who are curious, adaptable, and collaborative. They’re open to feedback, comfortable being stretched, and motivated by making an impact. If you’re someone who wants to grow, take on meaningful challenges, and have a real impact, this is a great place to do it.
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