Associate Director, Patient Access Brand Strategy & Operations – Dermatology

About the role

The Associate Director, Patient Access Brand Strategy & Operations – Dermatology is responsible for translating Dermatology brand and access strategy into an integrated, operational patient access model. This role leads the day-to-day governance and optimization of the patient access ecosystem.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, implementation, and governance of Dermatology patient support programs (e.g., benefits verification, bridge/QuickStart, copay/affordability, PAP, hub services), including business rules, eligibility criteria, and service models.
• Own vendor governance and performance management for hub partners, patient services vendors, and specialty pharmacy/channel partners (as applicable), including KPI/SLA definition, monitoring, escalation management, root-cause analysis, and CAPA.
• Partner with the Senior Director to ensure launch readiness and lifecycle updates are executed with controlled change management (process/SOP updates, training, communications, and readiness tracking).
• Establish an operating cadence (weekly/monthly performance reviews, quarterly business reviews) and deliver clear documentation of decisions, risks, and action plans.
• Drive integration of hub workflows, specialty pharmacy processes, and field reimbursement support to improve provider experience, dispensing timelines, and patient adherence and persistence.
• Oversee operational reporting and insights generation (volumes, turnaround times, abandonment, utilization, quality) and translate trends into prioritized improvements and resourcing recommendations.
• Manage program budget operations (forecasting, utilization monitoring, accrual support) in collaboration with Finance and leadership.
• Ensure compliance with Takeda policies, privacy requirements, and applicable regulations; support audits/monitoring activities and ensure vendors maintain audit-ready documentation and training.
• Lead, coach, and develop team members and foster a patient-centric culture focused on equitable access outcomes.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in pharmaceutical patient services, patient access operations, hub operations, market access operations, specialty pharmacy/channel operations, and/or related healthcare operations required.
• 3+ years of experience leading vendor performance and/or operational teams; people leadership experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement patient support programs, operational service models, business rules, SOPs, and training in a regulated environment.
• Strong program and project management skills, including launch readiness and lifecycle change execution.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to influence across a highly matrixed organization.
• Analytical capability to interpret operational data, derive insights, and drive continuous improvement.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint); experience with case management/CRM platforms and BI tools preferred.
• Experience supporting specialty launches and/or Dermatology portfolio programs is a plus.