Director of Payer Strategy

Position Summary

The Director of Payer Strategy will develop, implement, and optimize market access strategies for Théa's product portfolio across commercial and government healthcare markets. This role serves as the strategic business owner for payer account management vendors and collaborates with various departments to ensure successful commercialization and market access.

Essential Functions

• Lead the development, execution, and continuous optimization of Théa’s payer strategy across commercial and government healthcare markets.

• Serve as the primary business owner for third-party payer account management vendors responsible for national and regional payer engagement.

• Develop strategic payer engagement plans, account prioritization, value propositions, evidence strategies, and market access objectives aligned with commercial goals.

• Establish vendor governance programs including routine business reviews, performance scorecards, strategic planning sessions, and operational oversight.

• Develop and monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Management by Objectives (MBOs), account performance metrics, formulary access measures, pull-through effectiveness, and executive dashboards to evaluate vendor performance and overall market access success.

• Partner with external payer account teams to establish annual account plans, engagement strategies, negotiation priorities, and tactical execution plans while maintaining accountability for performance outcomes.

• Monitor payer coverage decisions, utilization management policies, prior authorization requirements, reimbursement trends, competitive dynamics, and market access barriers while proactively recommending strategic actions.

• Collaborate with Medical Affairs, HEOR, Marketing, and Commercial Operations to develop payer value propositions, clinical messaging, economic evidence, and customer-facing resources supporting payer engagement.

• Partner with Patient Support Services and Provider Access & Reimbursement to ensure payer strategies are effectively operationalized through patient support programs, reimbursement resources, and provider education.

• Work collaboratively with Sales Leadership and Commercial Operations to develop field communication strategies, pull-through initiatives, and customer education supporting market access objectives.

• Identify evolving healthcare policy, reimbursement, legislative, and regulatory trends that may impact market access while communicating implications and recommendations to Commercial Leadership.

• Lead market access planning and execution for product launches, including payer strategy development, vendor readiness, account targeting, access analytics, and launch performance monitoring.

• Develop and manage departmental budgets, vendor contracts, consulting relationships, and strategic initiatives supporting market access objectives.

• Utilize internal and external market intelligence, claims data, payer analytics, competitive intelligence, and business performance metrics to inform strategic decisions and continuously improve access performance.

• Ensure all payer engagement activities comply with applicable healthcare regulations, company policies, and compliance standards.

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of commercial and government payer markets, managed care, reimbursement, formulary management, healthcare policy, and pharmaceutical market access.

• Demonstrated experience developing payer strategies and managing payer account organizations or third-party market access vendors.

• Strong understanding of pharmaceutical product launches, payer evidence requirements, contracting principles, and reimbursement strategy.

• Experience developing strategic account plans, KPIs, executive dashboards, vendor scorecards, and business performance reporting.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret claims data, payer analytics, competitive intelligence, and market trends to support strategic decision-making.

• Proven ability to influence and lead cross-functional initiatives involving Commercial, Medical Affairs, Marketing, Sales, Finance, Patient Services, and Provider Access organizations.

• Excellent executive communication and presentation skills with demonstrated ability to influence senior leadership and external partners.

• Strong vendor management, negotiation, and relationship management skills with the ability to hold external partners accountable for execution and results.

• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced commercial environment supporting multiple product launches and evolving market access strategies.

• Strong understanding of pharmaceutical regulatory requirements, healthcare compliance, and appropriate interactions with healthcare decision-makers.

• Extensive proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook) and market access analytics platforms.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

This position requires prolonged sitting. Additionally, requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity enough to operate a keyboard, photocopier, telephone, and other office equipment. Requires normal range of hearing and vision to record, prepare, and communicate appropriately. Additional physical requirements include hearing spoken communication clearly.

Benefits & Perks

Thea offers a full suite of employee benefits, including employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance; a generous schedule of paid time off (PTO); life and disability insurance; paid parental leave; and a competitive 401(k) company match.

EEO Statement

Thea Pharma Inc. is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. At Thea, we not only support the diversity of our employee population, we celebrate the way our team member’s unique backgrounds and experiences contribute to the success of our company. Thea does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. Thea Pharma Inc. does not tolerate harassment or discrimination of any kind.