VP, Access Strategy, Payer Engagement

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Take ownership of the comprehensive market access strategy for the portfolio, spanning early lifecycle development to commercial execution.

• Establish payer value propositions, messaging, and positioning tailored to each product and indication.

• Create and enhance market access playbooks while tracking access performance metrics.

• Lead the HEOR strategic agenda and outline the roadmap for evidence generation.

• Collaborate with Medical Affairs and Clinical teams to incorporate HEOR priorities into trial design and data collection efforts.

• Construct economic models, such as budget impact analyses, cost-effectiveness models, and frameworks for value-based contracts.

• Convert HEOR outputs into compelling value narratives for payers, providers, and healthcare professionals (HCPs).

• Supervise AMCP dossiers, value dossiers, and other evidence packages intended for payers.

• Engage with external health economics thought leaders, advisory boards, and payer medical directors.

• Guide pricing and contracting strategies while balancing access investments with gross-to-net discipline.

• Direct the national payer account strategy across commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid channels.

• Lead negotiations with national and regional payers and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs).

• Represent the organization in health policy discussions, including regulatory comment letters and coverage determination processes.

• Develop market-shaping strategies and spearhead payer-facing launch readiness initiatives.

• Identify and address access readiness gaps for pipeline assets.

• Monitor policy developments and the competitive landscape regarding payer coverage and contracting positions.

• Collaborate with executive leadership, Legal, Commercial, Medical, Patient Services, and Patient & Provider Services teams.

• Present payer strategy and account status to the executive team and Board as required.

• Lead and cultivate the Market Access team, enhancing team capabilities and talent pipelines while functioning as a player-coach.

• Exemplify strong leadership values and behaviors.

⛳️ Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree is required.

• An advanced degree—MBA or a healthcare-related or business field equivalent—is highly preferred.

• 12–15+ years of progressive experience in pharmaceutical or biotech market access, payer strategy, or HEOR, including a minimum of 3 years in an Executive Director or VP role.

• Proven success in developing and implementing multi-year market access plans and integrating access strategies into long-term financial and brand planning processes.

• Previous experience in Retina or ophthalmology is advantageous.

• Expert-level understanding of US payer dynamics, formulary mechanics, and gross-to-net economics across commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid channels.

• Direct experience in launching a Medicare Part B buy-and-bill product, including managing miscellaneous J-code periods through to permanent coding.

• Comprehensive knowledge of health economics and outcomes research methodologies, including cost-effectiveness analysis, budget impact modeling, cost-utility analysis, and indirect treatment comparisons.

• Experience in defining and overseeing real-world evidence (RWE) strategies, including retrospective database studies, patient-reported outcomes (PRO) research, registry studies, and burden of illness analyses.

• Familiarity with Inflation Reduction Act provisions and their implications for pricing, access, and contracting strategies.

• Proven ability to translate brand P&L dynamics into access investments and gross-to-net trade-off decisions.

• Strong understanding of the interplay between payer, pricing, and contracting strategies and enterprise-level financial performance.

• A solid track record of negotiating directly with national payers and PBMs at a senior level regarding coverage policies, contracting, and value-based arrangements.

• Excellent influence and alignment capabilities with senior commercial and medical stakeholders.

• Ability to build trust and foster consensus across a matrixed organization while managing ambiguity and changes within the organization.

• Prior supervisory and people management experience with a proven ability to develop talent and scale team capabilities in line with portfolio growth.

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.

• Generous paid time off and holiday leave.

• Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning.

• Flexible work arrangements and a supportive work environment.