Associate Director, Account Strategy

What if the work you did every day could impact the lives of people you know? Or all of humanity?

At Illumina, we are expanding access to genomic technology to realize health equity for billions of people around the world. Our efforts enable life-changing discoveries that are transforming human health through the early detection and diagnosis of diseases and new treatment options for patients.

Working at Illumina means being part of something bigger than yourself. Every person, in every role, has the opportunity to make a difference. Surrounded by extraordinary people, inspiring leaders, and world changing projects, you will do more and become more than you ever thought possible.

Position Summary
The Associate Director, Lead – Account Strategy plays a critical role in shaping and advancing multi‑year growth strategies for Illumina’s priority accounts. This leader partners closely with Strategic Account Managers (SAMs) and cross‑functional teams to develop robust 3‑year account strategies aligned to enterprise objectives, commercial priorities, and customer needs.
Responsibilities
Strategic Account Planning & Growth Enablement

• Partner with SAMs to develop comprehensive 3‑year strategic account plans aligned to enterprise and regional strategies.

• Facilitate structured account planning processes, ensuring clear prioritization, customer insight integration, and growth hypothesis development.

• Pressure‑test account strategies with internal leaders to elevate ambition, eliminate obstacles, and ensure cross‑functional alignment.

Executive Engagement & Communication

• Support and participate in executive‑level customer interactions, including strategic reviews and business planning sessions.

• Develop high‑quality presentations and materials tailored for executive audiences.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Work with product, marketing, commercial operations, finance, and regional teams to ensure coordinated strategy activation.

• Serve as a strategic connector to track initiatives, align resources, and escalate risks proactively.

Analytics & Financial Modeling

• Build financial models to validate opportunities, quantify risks, and support investment decisions.

• Translate complex data into actionable insights.

Governance & Performance Management

• Support creation of account‑level KPIs and dashboards to measure performance.

• Collaborate with Global Strategic Accounts teams to ensure consistency in strategy execution.

• Share best practices, translatable wins, and lessons learned with the global SAM population to drive incremental growth and efficiencies.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 15 years of related experience, with 7+ years of people leadership experience (direct and/or indirect).

• 10+ years’ experience in the life sciences industry.

• Prior experience in management consulting or investment banking preferred.

• Proven experience with internal and external executive engagement.

• Strong structured strategic thinking and analytical rigor.

• Expertise in financial modeling and scenario development.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

• Demonstrated success managing multiple stakeholders.

The estimated base salary range for the Associate Director, Account Strategy role based in the United States of America is: $170,600 - $255,800. Should the level or location of the role change during the hiring process, the applicable base pay range may be updated accordingly. The range reflects long‑term growth in the role. Most candidates are hired between the minimum and middle of the range. Placement depends on experience, skills, location, and internal equity. Additionally, all employees are eligible for one of our variable cash programs (bonus or commission) and eligible roles may receive equity as part of the compensation package. We offer a wide range of benefits as innovative as our work, including access to genomics sequencing, family planning, health/dental/vision, retirement benefits, and paid time off.

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.