Director, Market Access & Reimbursement Strategy

About the role

Saluda Medical is a commercial‑stage medical device company focused on developing treatments for chronic neurological conditions using its novel closed‑loop neuromodulation platform. The Director of Market Access & Reimbursement Strategy will lead Saluda's U.S. market access, coverage, and reimbursement strategy, with direct ownership of the Smart Access Reimbursement program. This role reports to the VP of Marketing and works cross‑functionally with Sales, Clinical, Regulatory, and Finance, engaging directly with payers, providers, and policy stakeholders. Saluda Medical’s core values emphasize People, Integrity, Pioneering, and Performance, with a commitment to diversity and equal opportunity.

Responsibilities

• Own, manage, and continuously improve the Smart Access Reimbursement program, including prior authorization support, appeals strategy, benefit investigation, and case escalation pathways
• Define program KPIs (approval rates, turnaround times, denial overturn rates) and report performance to commercial leadership
• Manage vendor and hub‑services relationships supporting the program; ensure field teams and provider offices are trained and supported
• Serve as the escalation point for complex access cases and emerging payer barriers
• Develop and execute national and regional payer strategies to establish, maintain, and expand coverage for SCS and closed‑loop therapy
• Monitor and shape coding, coverage, and payment dynamics (CPT/HCPCS, DRG/APC, physician fee schedule) across commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid channels
• Track and respond to CMS policy developments, including the Ambulatory Specialty Model (ASM) and other value‑based initiatives affecting the chronic pain and neuromodulation space
• Lead development of value‑based and shared‑risk contracting frameworks that leverage Evoke's objective ECAP data as a differentiator
• Lead the translation of clinical and real‑world evidence into payer‑facing value dossiers, objection handlers, and coverage advocacy materials
• Support medical policy engagement, including responses to draft policies, technology assessments, and payer advisory interactions
• Build and manage relationships with relevant medical societies (e.g., NANS, INS, ASPN, ASIPP) to advance coverage advocacy, coding initiatives, and clinical guideline development supporting SCS access
• Equip Sales and field reimbursement resources with tools, training, and messaging to navigate access conversations confidently
• Collaborate with Marketing, Sales, and Therapy Awareness teams to integrate access messaging into commercial campaigns and launch plans
• Build and mentor market access talent as the function scales; manage direct reports and/or contracted field reimbursement resources as assigned
• Represent Saluda with professional societies, coalitions, and industry groups on reimbursement and policy matters

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree; advanced degree (MBA, MPH, MHA, JD) preferred
• 10+ years of progressive experience in medical device market access, reimbursement, or payer strategy; neuromodulation, spine, or interventional pain experience strongly preferred
• Demonstrated success managing a reimbursement support / hub‑services program, including vendor oversight and KPI management
• Deep working knowledge of U.S. coding, coverage, and payment systems across sites of service (hospital outpatient, ASC, physician office)
• Experience engaging payers directly on medical policy, coverage expansion, and contracting
• Familiarity with CMS payment models and value‑based care trends
• Strong cross‑functional leadership and executive communication skills

Skills

• Strategic and hands‑on: comfortable setting payer strategy and personally driving a stuck prior auth to resolution
• Data‑driven storyteller: converts clinical evidence and program metrics into narratives that move payers and executives
• Cross‑functional connector: builds trust quickly across Sales, Clinical, and Finance
• Bias for action: thrives in a growth‑stage company where the playbook is still being written