Director, Market Access Payer Accounts

Summit Therapeutics Inc. is a biopharmaceutical oncology company focused on improving quality of life, increasing potential duration of life, and resolving serious unmet medical needs. Our core values include integrity, passion for excellence, purposeful urgency, collaboration, and commitment to people. Summit is currently conducting multiple global Phase 3 clinical studies in oncology, including:

• Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC):
  • HARMONi: Evaluating ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy vs. placebo plus chemotherapy in EGFR-mutated, locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC (previously treated with a 3rd generation EGFR TKI).
  • HARMONi-3: Evaluating ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy vs. pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy in first-line metastatic NSCLC.
  • HARMONi-7: Evaluating ivonescimab monotherapy vs. pembrolizumab monotherapy in first-line metastatic NSCLC.
• Colorectal Cancer (CRC):
  • HARMONi-GI3: Evaluating ivonescimab in combination with chemotherapy vs. bevacizumab plus chemotherapy.

Ivonescimab is an investigational therapy currently approved only by China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). Summit is headquartered in Miami, Florida, with additional offices in California, New Jersey, the UK, and Ireland.

About the role

The Director of Market Access Payer Account at Summit Therapeutics reports directly to the Executive Director, Payer Strategic Accounts, and will lead and manage select national and sub-national payers and other assigned accounts. This customer-facing role ensures broad access, reimbursement, and patient affordability for Summit’s therapies. Key accounts include National/Regional Health Plans, PBMs, Medicare, state Medicaid, and VA/DoD. The Director will build and maintain relationships with decision-makers, execute account strategies, and support regional field teams.

Responsibilities

• Establish, broaden, and deepen relationships with target entities (e.g., health insurers, PBMs, payers) and key decision-makers (medical and pharmacy directors) to influence 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, develop account-specific plans, and resolve access/reimbursement issues.
• Collaborate with the Medical Affairs field team to support communication and understanding of drug candidates and approved products with payers.
• Support the Patient Services team to enhance the patient journey and resolve coverage issues.
• Assist Regional Sales teams with pull- or sell-through strategies based on payer coverage.
• Engage with key decision-makers (Formulary, P&T, Pathway leaders, Medical & Pharmacy Directors) to secure appropriate access and optimal product positioning.
• Co-create account-level strategies, tools, and tactics to effectively communicate the product value proposition.
• Collaborate on pricing and contracting strategies, HEOR evidence generation, patient support programs, payer marketing initiatives, and account management approaches.
• Lead discussions with internal and external partners to align 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 to provide strategic insights.
• Ensure all Market Access initiatives comply with legal, regulatory, and ethical standards.
• Work effectively in a fast-paced environment, balancing multiple priorities and meeting deadlines.
• Perform 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.
• Proven record of achieving and maintaining compliance with regulatory, legal, and operational rules.
• Ability to travel as needed to support business priorities.

Pay

$197,000 - $246,500 USD. Actual compensation is based on factors such as skill set, depth of experience, certifications, and work location. The total compensation package may also include bonus, stock, benefits, and other variable compensation.