Lead, US Contract Management

Astellas Pharma • Northbrook, IL

14d • Hybrid

About The Position

Astellas is a global life sciences company committed to turning innovative science into VALUE for patients. We provide transformative therapies in disease areas that include oncology, ophthalmology, urology, immunology and women's health. Through our research and development programs, we are pioneering new healthcare solutions for diseases with high unmet medical need. Learn more at Astellas.com. Are you driven to make a real difference in the lives of patients? We're seeking passionate individuals who thrive in dynamic environments, embrace new ideas, and aren't afraid to take intelligent risks. People who act with unwavering integrity and are deeply committed to making a tangible impact. The Lead, US Contract Management is responsible for leading and coaching a team of contracting and rebate analysis experts and providing end to end contracting expertise across Market Access and the Astellas product portfolio as well as conducting thoughtful analysis of proposed contract terms and incorporating solutions into contractual language that aligns with Astellas legal and compliance guidelines. This leader will also partner with our US Market Access Account Engagement Teams and Legal Division partners to develop contracting templates that incorporate innovative contracting strategies to address evolving competitive markets. The Lead will additionally act as a primary business partner to Local Brand Teams, Legal Executives, National and Regional Accounts leadership, Supply Chain, Sales leadership, and Policy and Government Affairs for providing objective, in-depth information and insights regarding contracting terms, negotiating with leaders of Payer GPO’s, PBM’s, Payers, Trading partners, Provider GPOs, and other Institutional health systems, and assuring all partners are compliant with contracting terms. This Lead is responsible for over $1.5B annually in rebate payments that are verified, calculated, and dispersed by the team. This role requires superior collaboration across multiple internal and external business functions with the ability to provide strong strategic leadership and be thoroughly involved in active negotiations when required. This role is critical to ensure the success of all customers’ contracting relationships in the US.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Minimum of 10 years prior experience in contract analysis and negotiation in pharmaceutical industry
• Contracting terms and language expertise to legally and clearly articulate intent of agreements; ability to differentiate and prioritize legal and business risks and mitigations
• Demonstrated success in difficult contract negotiations
• Strong leader with proven abilities to influence and create cross functional alignment; Track record of developing others in change management and leading a team in implementing strategic and innovative solutions
• Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written
• Demonstrated ability to assimilate and present complex information to higher level management and contribute to high level discussions; Ability to produce board ready presentation material
• Strong collaboration skills with the demonstrated ability to gather key stakeholder feedback and gain executive alignment; Ability to lead initiatives in a highly matrixed environment and gain buy-in across multiple groups across Astellas that may have different points of view
• Demonstrated knowledge of the US access, reimbursement, and pricing landscape for pharmaceutical products (both Pharmacy and Medical reimbursement). Includes deep knowledge of commercial, Medicare, Medicaid, other government, and specialty segments

Nice To Haves

• Advanced Degree/Education in a related discipline, MBA or JD preferred

Responsibilities

• Lead and drive the standardization of overall contract management/negotiation process; identify and implement innovations and process improvements to optimize outcomes and improve efficiency where warranted
• Collaborate with legal executives to assure Astellas business interest are protected by contractual language
• Direct the generation of offer letters and proposed contract templates that describe the proposed pricing
• Remain current on federal, state and international legal developments, affecting pharmaceutical industry, including anti-kickback, government pricing, DSCSA, anti bribery, antitrust, 340B, and other emerging related laws and regulations
• Review final contract templates where customers require the use of their own contract template to ensure there are no significant variations from the Astellas standard terms and conditions
• Lead the contract management team to support field team in negotiating terms of individual contracts by providing counsel on overall adherence to policy, strategy, and regulations
• Demonstrate expert knowledge of relevant contract language and effectively guide the team (including field organization) in customer negotiations
• Actively engage in contract negotiations with external customers, when necessary; attend key customer conferences and meetings to stay abreast of industry trends and gain customer insights to elevate contract solutions
• Own the contract library, and maintain a contract management framework to assure documents are securely stored and organized in a centralized contract library in accordance with all relevant Astellas Records and Retention policies
• Responsible for developing a managed care contract operations team to the highest level of commitment to accuracy, attention to detail, follow-up, and customer service skills
• Accountable for accurate calculation and validation of over $1.5B in managed care rebate payments. Assure alignment with contract terms and compliance with corporate and government guidelines and policies
• Ensure that contracting and rebate operations are consistent with all relevant compliance regulations and J-Sox controls
• Advise and collaborate with Business Development to identify risk and benefits of potential deals involving the acquisitions or divestiture of products
• Negotiate directly with industry relations and leadership of partner companies to resolve contractual and payment disputes
• Focus on continual improvement in the speed, quality, and simplicity of contract formulation and management process, without compromising compliance

Benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off options, including Vacation and Sick time, plus national holidays including year-end shut down
• 401(k) match and annual company contribution
• Company paid life insurance
• Annual Corporate Bonus and Quarterly Sales Incentive for eligible positions
• Long Term Incentive Plan for eligible positions
• Company fleet vehicle for eligible positions
• Referral bonus program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees