Senior Director, Patient Services & Distribution

Satsuma Pharmaceuticals

8d•$240,000 - $300,000

About The Position

The Senior Director, Patient Services & Distribution, will lead the strategy, design, and optimization of patient support and product distribution programs for Satsuma Pharmaceuticals’ migraine portfolio. This individual will build and manage patient-centric solutions that improve access, affordability, adherence, and speed-to-therapy while ensuring regulatory compliance. The Senior Director will also oversee patient-support vendors and programs, including hub services, benefits verification, prior-authorization support, copay assistance, patient assistance, and other access solutions. This individual will also lead the development and management of the company’s distribution network, including third-party logistics, specialty pharmacy, specialty distribution, wholesaler, and related trade-channel partnerships. The role will partner closely with Market Access, Commercial, Medical Affairs, Regulatory, Legal, and external vendors to support launch readiness and lifecycle management. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in hub services, specialty pharmacy, reimbursement support, and product distribution with a strong focus on improving the patient experience and outcomes. The successful candidate develops and provides patient services and distribution strategy, vision, and direction across the organization, implementing company-wide policies and practices and providing input to executive management, with decisions carrying long-term impact on the company's patient access strategy and commercial success.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business, Healthcare Administration, Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Nursing, or a related field required.
Demonstrated ability to develop and articulate company-wide patient services and distribution strategy, vision, and direction, with the ability to anticipate emerging risks and their impact on business success.
10+ years of experience in patient services, market access, reimbursement, specialty pharmacy, or related commercial functions within the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry.
Demonstrated experience designing and implementing patient support programs and pharmaceutical distribution networks supporting specialty pharmaceutical products.
Experience managing hub service and distribution providers, specialty pharmacy networks, reimbursement support programs, and patient assistance programs.
Experience supporting commercial product launches and building patient services infrastructure in a biotechnology or pharmaceutical environment.
Strong understanding of payer reimbursement, pharmacy benefit design, prior authorization processes, appeals, and affordability programs.
Experience managing external vendors and cross-functional commercial initiatives.
Deep understanding of the patient access landscape, including hub operations, specialty pharmacy distribution models, reimbursement support, financial assistance programs, and patient onboarding.
Working knowledge of HIPAA, FDA, CMS, OIG, and applicable healthcare compliance requirements governing patient support programs.
Proven ability to build patient-centric programs that improve access, adherence, persistence, and overall patient satisfaction.
Strong operational and project management skills with the ability to lead multiple complex initiatives simultaneously.
Excellent analytical skills with experience leveraging operational metrics, vendor scorecards, and patient journey analytics to drive continuous improvement.
Demonstrated success leading cross-functional initiatives across Market Access, Commercial, Medical Affairs, Regulatory, Legal, and Commercial Operations.
Outstanding communication, presentation, and relationship management skills with the ability to influence internal and external stakeholders.
Proven experience negotiating and influencing at the executive level, partnering with leadership to align patient services and distribution strategy with organizational goals.
Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative biotechnology environment.
Strong leadership capabilities with a focus on accountability, innovation, and delivering exceptional patient experiences.
Willingness to travel approximately 20% to support vendor meetings, conferences, and company initiatives.
An equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience may substitute for stated qualifications.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree (MBA, MPH, PharmD, MS, or equivalent) preferred.
Neurology, migraine, CNS, or specialty pharmaceutical experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead the development and execution of Satsuma Pharmaceuticals' patient services strategy, ensuring alignment with commercial objectives, market access initiatives, and corporate goals.
Anticipate factors that could influence the company's patient services and distribution strategy and market position, providing strategic direction across functional areas to support long-term patient access and business success.
Design, implement, and continuously optimize patient support programs, including benefit verification, prior authorization support, appeals assistance, financial assistance, co-pay programs, bridge programs, patient education, and adherence initiatives.
Develop and manage the company's Hub Services and Specialty Pharmacy strategy to ensure an efficient, compliant, and patient-centered experience from prescription through therapy initiation.
Develop and execute the product-distribution strategy, including channel design, network configuration, dispensing pathways, inventory flow, and service-level requirements.
Establish and manage relationships with third-party logistics providers, specialty pharmacies, specialty distributors, wholesalers, and other channel partners supporting product ordering, fulfillment, and delivery.
Lead the development and negotiation of distribution, specialty-pharmacy, wholesaler, and related trade agreements in partnership with Legal, Finance, Supply Chain, Quality, and Market Access.
Develop channel policies and procedures governing product ordering, inventory management, shipment, returns, chargebacks, data reporting, and customer service.
Partner with Supply Chain and commercial leadership to develop inventory, demand, and replenishment plans that support product availability while appropriately managing channel inventory and operational risk.
Monitor distribution-network performance, including inventory levels, order fulfillment, delivery times, dispensing rates, service levels, returns, data quality, and channel-partner compliance.
Partner with Market Access to align patient services with reimbursement strategies, payer requirements, and access initiatives that improve speed-to-therapy and patient persistence.
Collaborate with Commercial, Medical Affairs, Regulatory, Legal, Commercial Operations, and Sales to ensure patient support programs are integrated into launch planning and lifecycle management activities.
Develop policies, standard operating procedures, and training materials that ensure compliant execution of all patient support activities in accordance with HIPAA, FDA, CMS, OIG, and applicable state and federal regulations.
Serve as the internal subject-matter expert for patient services, specialty pharmacy, product distribution, fulfillment, and related access operations.
Partner with Commercial Analytics to establish and monitor key performance indicators, utilizing data and customer insights to optimize operational performance and inform strategic decision-making.
Build and maintain strong relationships with specialty pharmacies, patient advocacy organizations, healthcare providers, and other external stakeholders to enhance the patient experience and support successful commercialization.
Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, reduce barriers to therapy initiation, and enhance the overall patient journey.
Proactively identify patient access and distribution risks and advise executive management on developments that impact company strategy. Apply persuasive, data-driven communication to influence executive decision-making on patient services and distribution strategy.
Partner with executive leadership to cascade company-wide patient services and distribution policies and practices, ensuring consistent adoption and alignment with organizational goals.
Proactively identify, assume, and execute additional responsibilities, initiatives, and special projects as business needs evolve.