Payer Account Associate Director

Vertex Inc.

1d•Remote

About The Position

The Payer Accounts, Associate Director (PAAD) will serve as the lead point of contact for all account management activities within assigned accounts in a defined geography including regional commercial Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) and state Medicaid agencies. The PAAD will play an integral role in securing reimbursement for Vertex’s entire portfolio of commercialized products. Key accounts include, but are not limited to, regional MCOs, Medicare health plans, and state Medicaid. The PAAD will ideally possess a broad and deep network of relationships with assigned accounts to execute the Market Access strategy. Most critically, the PAAD is responsible for securing rapid, broad and equitable access while managing profitability through effective contract negotiations with assigned accounts (where applicable), pulling through national account contracts with impacted regional accounts, and ensuring appropriate pharmacy and medical benefit criteria for Vertex products. Additionally, the PAAD is accountable for keeping local Vertex teams informed on coverage and policy changes to ensure local level pull-though. Candidate will also be responsible for developing, maintaining, and executing account business plans that deliver on the described requirements. Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases. The company has approved medicines that treat the underlying causes of multiple chronic, life-shortening genetic diseases — cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia — and continues to advance clinical and research programs in these diseases. Vertex also has a robust clinical pipeline of investigational therapies across a range of modalities in other serious diseases where it has deep insight into causal human biology, including APOL1-mediated kidney disease, acute and neuropathic pain, type 1 diabetes, myotonic dystrophy type 1 and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Founded in 1989 in Cambridge, Mass., Vertex's global headquarters is now located in Boston's Innovation District and its international headquarters is in London. Additionally, the company has research and development sites and commercial offices in North America, Europe, Australia, Latin America and the Middle East. Vertex is consistently recognized as one of the industry's top places to work, including 14 consecutive years on Science magazine's Top Employers list and one of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For. The diversity and authenticity of our people is part of what makes Vertex unique, and we recognize that each employee brings diverse perspectives and strengths. By embracing those strengths and celebrating differences, we are fostering an inclusive culture where each of us can bring our authentic selves to work, inspire innovation together, and change people’s lives. Our vision is clear: to be the place where an authentic, diverse mix of talent want to come, to stay, and do their best work.

Requirements

Prior field account role experience required, preferably with increasing responsibility
In-depth knowledge of managed care and specialty pharmacy payer landscape
Ability to think strategically, analytically, and collaboratively
Outstanding oral and written communication skills
Candidate must thrive working in a fast-paced, innovative environment while remaining flexible
Experience in negotiating direct contracts with payers.
Proven record of success with strong results orientation and excellent customer relationship skills
Position requires significant travel
Valid driver’s license
Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline
Minimum 5-7 years' experience within the pharmaceutical or biotech industry with > 2 years in market access including specialty experience

Nice To Haves

3 years of field market access experience preferred with variety of healthcare providers/organizations
Working knowledge of assigned account with established relationships preferred
Candidate lives within designated geography (IL, MI, WI, MN, IA, MO). Consideration will be given to candidates that live within approximately one-hour flight of designated geography

Responsibilities

Deliver clinical and economic value proposition for Vertex products to key individuals within assigned regional accounts such as Pharmacy Directors, Medical Directors, Quality, Health Economics, Actuarial, and Executive level roles within assigned regional accounts
Educate essential formulary decision makers on disease state, burden of illness, prevalence, and unmet need for near term potential product launches through use of approved Preapproval Information Exchange (PIE) materials
Conduct financial analyses, develop business plans and contracting proposals, secure contract terms approval and negotiate contractual terms with customers across Vertex portfolio (where applicable)
Secure appropriate pharmacy and medical benefit criteria for entire Vertex marketed products for all assigned regional MCO’s and state Medicaid
Actively engage with payers to educate about Vertex’s growing pipeline through PIE approved resources
Collaborate with many internal Vertex partners across multiple business units to address access related opportunities and challenges within defined geography. Internal partners include market access strategy, legal, sales, field reimbursement, government affairs, medical, heath economics, specialty pharmacy and trade, contracting, and field operations
Monitor state Medicaid policy and legislation such as drug transparency legislation and impact to Vertex
Monitor state P&T and DURB product and class reviews and ensure Vertex cross-functional teams are aware of status
Work closely with the public policy team to develop, update, and communicate comprehensive plans of action for state Medicaid for entire Vertex portfolio and pipeline ensuring broad and equitable access for future drug launches at launch to Vertex leadership team
Actively share customer insights and educate Vertex partners across the market access organization and across Vertex business units and pull through strategy and contracts with regional accounts
Exercise sound judgment and oversight to ensure integrity and compliance with company policies in all activities and communications.

Benefits

Annual bonus
Annual equity awards
Overtime pay (for some roles, in accordance with federal and state requirements)
Inclusive market-leading benefits
Medical benefits
Dental benefits
Vision benefits
Generous paid time off (including a week-long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter)
Educational assistance programs including student loan repayment
Generous commuting subsidy
Matching charitable donations
401(k)