Director, US Regional Payer Accounts Northwest

INTRODUCTION TO ROLE:

The Director of U.S. Regional Payer Accounts is responsible for implementing access strategies to ensure that regional payers provide appropriate patient access to Alexion’s medicines. This includes leading negotiations with assigned regional payers and tier two national payers, managing relationships with senior managed care executives, and using internal subject matter experts to communicate the value of Alexion’s medicines. The Director also educates cross-functional teams on payer policies, collaborates with internal partners to resolve access challenges, provides field insight to advise access strategy as needed, and engages payer accounts for contract negotiations and product education. This is a field-based role and reports to the Senior Director, U.S. Payer Accounts and must reside within their assigned geography (OR, WA, ID, MT, WY).

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Driving the execution of access strategies for assigned regional payers to ensure appropriate patient access, policy, and reimbursement to Alexion’s medicines
• Leading negotiations with assigned payers to secure favorable terms and patient access
• Maintaining and fostering relationships with senior managed care medical and pharmacy executives by using expert knowledge of the customer’s organizational structure and strategic priorities
• Using internal resources and subject matter experts (e.g., HEOR, Medical, patient advocacy, etc.) to effectively communicate the value of Alexion’s medicines to regional payers
• Educating internal cross-functional teams on payer coverage policies to improve strategic planning, execution, and business knowledge
• Promoting cross-functional collaboration with internal team members to align strategies and optimize access solutions
• Coordinating with Alexion’s national payer account directors to be aware of the impact national payer/PBM accounts may have on their downstream regional clients
• Developing tailored solutions for the field force and access teams to address any customer-specific product access or reimbursement challenges
• Collaborating with market access, patient services and brand team colleagues, including TLLs (thought leader liaisons) and patient advocacy, to develop strategies and ensure execution against threats and opportunities in their region
• Engaging regional payer accounts to present product value propositions, conduct disease state education for pipeline products, perform pre-approval information exchange (PIE) engagements, and negotiate contract agreements in line with the contract strategy
• Acting as the regional lead on pulling-through access wins by coordinating with FRMs, brand, sales, and access strategy and marketing teams to develop and complete pull-through or push-through strategies
• Acting as a customer resource through knowledge of relevant therapeutic areas and market trends analytics for category performance, and thorough knowledge of product real world use and treatment algorithms
• Conducting periodic business reviews with contracted customers to ensure compliance with contract terms and alignment on mutual goals.
• Providing insights to internal partners (e.g., medical liaisons) on customer-specific priorities to inform access strategy as regional point of contact to align across regional, national, and channel account directors, as well as home-office strategy teams
• Engaging cross-functional partners (e.g., HEOR) in customer meetings to ensure comprehensive and effective communication
• Identifying credible real world patient access gaps, trends, and/or opportunities for engagement with regional payers
• Gathering information and build analyses to improve the organization's understanding of current and emerging payer market dynamics, risks, and competitive behaviors, with a focus on identifying potential business impacts

ESSENTIAL SKILLS/EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant area of study
• 7 years’ experience in Market Access in the biopharmaceutical/pharmaceutical industry
• 5 years’ experience in an account management role with responsibility for payer and PBM customers
• Experience negotiating contracts with payers and/or PBMs
• Well established payer account contacts!
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively within a high performance, high stakes team environment
• Knowledge of U.S. managed markets including commercial and government payers
• Demonstrated success in securing appropriate coverage for specialty medicines covered under the medical benefit and pharmacy benefit
• Ability to articulate branded and unbranded communications relating to the therapy areas of Alexion’s medicines!
• Strong understanding of reimbursement methodologies utilized by commercial and government payers under the medical and pharmacy benefits
• Strong collaboration, written, and verbal communications skills
• Clinical, technical, and scientific knowledge and proficiency in complex disease states
• Requires living within the assigned region (OR, WA, ID, MT, WY).
• Travel requirements: Willing to travel at least 60% of the time including overnight and Occasional weekend travel
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record
• The duties of this role are generally conducted in a field environment. As is typical of a field-based role, employees must be able, with or without an accommodation to: travel by public transportation, automobile, train, or plane; work comfortably in a clinical setting; use a computer; engage in communications via phone, video, and electronic messaging; problem solve; engage in complex and non-linear thought, analysis, and dialogue; collaborate with others; maintain general availability during standard business hours

DESIRABLE SKILLS/EXPERIENCE:

• MBA, MPH, or other advanced degree
• Experience securing access for rare disease medicines
• Established relationships with regional payer accounts within area
• Experience developing and driving payer contracting strategies for national or regional payers
• Experience securing rapid coverage for launches of new products and indications

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $182,360.00 to $273,540.00. Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours. Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition, our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles), to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles), and commission payment eligibility (sales roles). Benefits offered included a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and, health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

Joining Alexion means embracing an opportunity where work isn’t ordinary. We are a beacon in the global Biopharmaceutical landscape. Our closeness to patients brings us closer to our work and closer to each other. Combined with our brave, pioneering spirit – we are truly unique in R&D and healthcare. At Alexion, grow and innovate in a business with a rapidly expanding portfolio. Enjoy the vibe, entrepreneurial spirit, and autonomy of a leading biotech. You’ll join an energizing culture where people build connections to explore new ideas. As an important member of our commercial team, you'll meet the needs of some of the most under-served patients in the world. You will be empowered with tailored development programs designed not just for skill enhancement but for fostering a deep understanding of our patient's journeys. You’re supported by exceptional leaders ready to lift you in marketing, compliance, and beyond. Make an impact by driving change with integrity in a culture that celebrates diversity.

If this sounds like a team you want to be part of... then we’d love to talk.

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.