Senior Director, Payer Strategy

Zenas BioPharma • Waltham, MA

1d • Remote

About The Position

Zenas is a clinical-stage global biopharmaceutical company committed to becoming a leader in the development and commercialization of transformative therapies for patients with autoimmune diseases. Our core business strategy combines our experienced leadership team with a disciplined product candidate acquisition approach to identify, acquire and develop product candidates globally that we believe can provide superior clinical benefits to patients living with autoimmune diseases. Zenas is advancing two late-stage, potential franchise molecules, obexelimab and orelabrutinib. Obexelimab, Zenas’ lead product candidate, is a bifunctional monoclonal antibody designed to bind both CD19 and FcγRIIb, which are broadly present across B cell lineage, to inhibit the activity of cells that are implicated in many autoimmune diseases without depleting them. We believe that obexelimab’s unique mechanism of action and self-administered, subcutaneous injection regimen may broadly and effectively address the pathogenic role of B cell lineage in chronic autoimmune disease. Orelabrutinib is a potentially best-in-class, highly selective CNS-penetrant, oral, small molecule Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) inhibitor with the potential to address compartmentalized inflammation and disease progression in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Zenas’ earlier stage programs include a preclinical, potentially best-in-class, oral, IL-17AA/AF inhibitor, and a preclinical, potentially best-in-class, oral, brain-penetrant, TYK2 inhibitor. We are seeking top talent who share our commitment to patients and have a track record of success in acquiring, developing and commercializing products across the globe. Our colleagues have an opportunity to engage in a fast-paced learning environment and experience individual and organizational success as we work towards becoming a global immunology and autoimmune disease leader, while living our values of Transparency, Relationships, Urgency, Excellence and Innovation – TRUE Innovation ! Position Summary: The Senior Director, Payer Strategy is responsible for developing and leading the U.S. payer access strategy to support optimal coverage, access, and reimbursement for Zenas BioPharma’s innovative portfolio. Reporting to the Vice President, U.S. Market Access, this role will lead payer strategy development and execution while building and managing relationships with national and regional payer organizations, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), and government plans. This role will function as a player-coach, combining strategic leadership with direct payer engagement. This individual will work closely with the National Account Director(s) to establish foundational payer relationships, shape coverage and contracting strategy, and ensure payer insights inform cross-functional planning ahead of anticipated product launches. The Senior Director will collaborate closely with cross-functional partners including Pricing & Contracting, Medical Affairs, Sales, Market Access Operations, Patient Services, and HEOR to ensure a coordinated approach to payer engagement and access strategy. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape payer access strategy and establish foundational payer partnerships in preparation for upcoming product launches.

Requirements

• Minimum of 12+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, including at least 8 + years in Market Access, payer strategy, managed markets, or national account leadership roles.
• Deep experience engaging national and regional payer organizations and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), with demonstrated success influencing coverage strategy and negotiating access for specialty or rare disease therapies.
• Proven experience leading or directly participating in payer contract negotiations with national payer organizations, PBMs, and Tier 1 regional health plans, including experience negotiating formulary positioning, coverage policies, and access terms.
• Demonstrated experience developing payer strategies that support successful product launches or late-stage pipeline assets.
• Strong understanding of the U.S. payer landscape including commercial health plans, PBMs, Medicare Advantage, specialty pharmacy distribution models, and reimbursement dynamics.
• Experience collaborating cross-functionally with Pricing & Contracting, Medical Affairs, Sales, HEOR, and Patient Services teams to support payer strategy and access planning.
• Demonstrated ability to translate payer insights into strategic recommendations that inform pricing strategy, coverage planning, and launch readiness.
• Proven leadership capability with experience guiding account strategy and mentoring payer account managers or national account teams.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (MBA, MPH, PharmD or similar) preferred.
• Strong executive communication, presentation, and strategic planning skills.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced and highly collaborative biotech environment.
• Willingness to travel as required to support national payer engagement.

Nice To Haves

• Established relationships with key decision makers across national payer organizations, PBMs, and leading regional health plans strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (MBA, MPH, PharmD or similar) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of the U.S. payer strategy to support optimal coverage, reimbursement, and patient access.
• Establish and maintain strategic relationships with national payer organizations, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), Medicare plans, and Tier 1 regional health plans.
• Serve as a player-coach, directly engaging payer accounts while providing leadership and guidance to the National Account Director(s).
• Partner with Finance and Pricing & Contracting to inform payer contracting strategy and support negotiations with payer organizations.
• Lead payer engagement planning, ahead of anticipated product launches, including value messaging, payer presentations, and account strategy.
• Monitor payer coverage policies, utilization management criteria, and competitive access dynamics to inform internal strategy.
• Provide payer insights and market intelligence to senior leadership to support access strategy, pricing decisions, and launch readiness.
• Collaborate with Sales leadership to ensure payer insights, support field awareness of coverage dynamics, and help address market access barriers impacting providers and patients.
• Partner with Medical Affairs and HEOR to support evidence communication and payer value discussions.
• Ensure cross-functional alignment across Market Access, Commercial, and Medical teams to support a coordinated payer strategy.
• Represent Zenas BioPharma with professionalism and credibility while building long-term payer partnerships

Benefits

• The position is eligible for a competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Our base salary is just one component of Zenas’ competitive total rewards strategy that also includes annual performance bonus, equity, full range of benefits and other incentive compensation plans.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees