Director, Payer Access

Grünenthal is hiring a Director, Payer Access. This is a field-based role that shapes and carries out payer access work with national and regional health plans, PBMs, and GPOs. It reports to the National Director, Payer Access and works closely with Sales, Marketing, Medical Affairs, and Market Access leadership.

The job is open to candidates in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

What you will do

• Lead formulary negotiations and secure coverage, reimbursement, and access across assigned payer accounts.
• Influence clinical policy and utilization management criteria with payer decision-makers.
• Build business plans for priority accounts, looking for ways to improve formulary status and pull-through.
• Maintain relationships with senior leaders at national and regional payers, PBMs, and GPOs.
• Prepare and lead RFP responses that represent the payer value proposition for the product portfolio.
• Work with internal stakeholders so messaging and market access strategies stay aligned.
• Analyze contract performance and use what you find to shape negotiation strategies.
• Present payer value propositions and health economics information in access discussions.
• Represent the company at industry and payer conferences such as AMCP, PCMA, and Asembia.
• Keep all activities in line with laws, regulations, and company policies.

What they are looking for

• Bachelor's degree required; an advanced degree such as an MBA, MPH, or related field is preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry.
• At least 5 years of direct market access experience working with national and regional payers.
• A record of negotiating formulary access, UM criteria, contract terms, and payer RFPs.
• Experience shaping clinical policy and driving access outcomes within payer accounts.
• Strong analytical skills, including evaluating contract performance and business impact.
• Established relationships with key payer decision-makers.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including PowerPoint, Excel, and Word.
• A track record in business planning and leading strategies that expand market share and improve access.

Core competencies

• Strategic account leadership and influence.
• Negotiation and analytical decision-making.
• Executive-level communication and presentation skills.
• Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management.
• High integrity, ethical judgment, and a compliance mindset.
• Ability to work autonomously and manage multiple priorities.
• Problem-solving and critical thinking.
• Adaptability in a changing payer and healthcare environment.

Key interfaces

The role affects reimbursement, patient access, and brand performance by securing and maintaining payer coverage. It acts as an external ambassador to payer organizations and an internal partner who aligns payer insights with brand and organizational strategy. Primary interfaces include Market Access Leadership, Sales, Marketing, Medical Affairs, Legal, Compliance, Finance, and Patient Services.

Pay

The salary range for this position is between $200K and $245K. Actual salary at the time of hire may vary and may be above or below the range based on factors including the candidate's relevant qualifications, skills, and experience. The company also currently offers a Long-Term Incentive Plan (cash plan) of 25% base salary and an annual performance bonus target of 25% base salary, subject to meeting plan requirements.

Ethics and compliance

• Demonstrate the highest level of ethics, integrity, and professionalism.
• Ensure payer interactions and negotiations adhere to legal, regulatory, and company policies.
• Maintain accountability for compliant behavior and promote transparency and trust.

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