Director, Market Access Payer Accounts

Reports directly to the Executive Director, Payer Strategic Accounts, and leads management of select national and sub-national payers and other assigned accounts. This customer-facing role ensures broad access, reimbursement, and patient affordability for Summit Therapeutics’ drug candidates and approved products.

Responsibilities

• Establish, broaden, and deepen relationships with target entities (e.g., health insurers, PBMs, other payers) and key decision makers and influencers (medical and pharmacy directors) that affect coverage and reimbursement decisions.
• Positively influence decision makers, policies, guidelines, and contracts to facilitate timely and appropriate coverage, access, and reimbursement for drug candidates and approved products.
• Implement brand access strategies and develop account-specific plans; assist in resolving access/reimbursement issues.
• Work closely with the Medical Affairs field team to support communication and understanding of drug candidates and approved products with payers.
• Collaborate with the Patient Services team to support the patient journey and resolve coverage issues.
• Assist Regional Sales teams with pull- or sell-through strategies based on payer coverage.
• Establish and maintain relationships with key decision-makers, including Formulary, P&T, and Pathway leaders, Medical & Pharmacy Directors, and other population-based stakeholders to secure appropriate access and optimal product positioning.
• Co-create account-level strategies, tools, and tactics to communicate the product value proposition effectively.
• Collaborate on pricing and contracting strategies, HEOR evidence generation plans, patient support programs, payer marketing initiatives, and account management approaches.
• Lead discussions with internal and external partners to ensure alignment on access, coverage, and reimbursement strategies.
• Foster a high-performance culture within the field team by promoting accountability, urgency, ethical behavior, and professional development.
• Stay informed on healthcare industry trends, payer policies, reimbursement processes, and competitive activity; provide strategic insights to inform decision-making, access strategies, and product launches.
• Ensure all Market Access initiatives are developed and executed in compliance with legal, regulatory, and ethical standards.
• Work effectively in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, balancing multiple priorities and meeting deadlines.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, healthcare, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 10+ years of biotech/pharmaceutical experience.
• Minimum of 5+ years of focused account management experience in the oncology access marketplace.
• Demonstrated success in engaging with US payers, MACs, PBMs, and IDNs.
• Strong understanding of the US healthcare payer/access landscape and regulatory environment.
• Excellent strategic thinking, leadership, negotiation, and relationship management skills.
• Ability to work on cross-functional teams and drive complex projects to completion.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills.
• Successful record of achieving and maintaining compliance with all applicable regulatory, legal, and operational rules.
• Ability to travel to support business priorities as needed.

Pay

$197,000–$246,500 USD per year. Actual compensation is based on factors unique to each candidate, including skill set, depth of experience, certifications, and specific work location.