Cell Therapy Market Access Director (IL, KS, NE, SD/ND)

Job Description

The Cell Therapy Market Access Director (CTMAD) understands the overall strategic business priorities of Kite, healthcare market dynamics and drivers within the geography and nationally, and the business drivers and operational aspects of assigned Payer accounts and Authorized Treatments Centers (ATCs), including strategic priorities, and applies this knowledge to account planning and account management.  The CTMAD has responsibility for ensuring payer coverage and reimbursement for all Kite products through regional, national, and government payers.  In addition, this individual is responsible for ensuring financial and reimbursement confidence and communicating payer coverage with Authorized Treatment Centers.  The CTMAD will assist the Sr. Director in developing the strategic and tactical direction for the team, while ensuring access for the Kite portfolio of products with Payers, ATCs, and other key stakeholders.  The Cell Therapy Market Access Director may take on additional cross functional responsibilities to support the US Market Access Leadership Team.  This role reports to the Sr. Director, US Market Access and is a field-based position. 

Responsibilities

• Manage Strategic Relationships with national and / or regional commercial, federal, and state payers:

  • Prepare the payer market for upcoming launches and new product approvals and maintain existing coverage

  • Execute payer account plans under the direction of the Sr. Director

  • Ensure payer coverage of all Kite products within assigned geography

  • Execute the market access strategic plan for all product launches

  • Map the payer landscape and plan for payer meetings via total account team planning

  • Assess the Medicare and Commercial payer landscape for coverage within assigned geography

  • Understand the CMS requirements and implications for new novel therapies

• Coordinate with cross-functional field team partners (e.g., Regional Account Directors (RAD’s), Cell Therapy Account Managers (CTAM’s), and the Quality team) to optimize swift patient access within shared Authorized Treatment Centers: 

  • Collaborate with multiple field-based teams to ensure successful certification and ongoing support of ATCs

  • Educate ATC reimbursement / coverage and coding

  • Coordinate with CTAM to ensure that key stakeholders within the ATCs have the tools and resources necessary to secure appropriate coverage for Kite therapies

  • Ensure timely execution of Trade agreements and amendments, as well as the completion of the Distributor’s Terms and Conditions

• Establish strategic relationships with key stakeholders (CFO, Administration, and other formulary decision makers at ATCs, Medical and Pharmacy Directors within targeted payer plans, MAC & state Medicaid Directors), and educate all on Kite Cell Therapy products

• Collaborate with cross functional Kite / Gilead teams to support strategic imperatives

• Regularly assess and communicate the reimbursement landscape to understand and plan for potential impact to Kite therapies.  This includes CAR T service line viability, policy, legislation, payer class management, and advocacy

• Operate in Compliance with all laws, regulations, and policies that govern the conduct of Kite Activities

• Support the Sr. Director’s business and strategy development of the US CTMAD team

• Proactive involvement in the execution of launch readiness plans, tactics, resources, and strategy

• Exhibits leadership competencies beyond local geography, (e.g., Strategy and Business Plan development for the larger team, assist with resources / tools identification and development, active involvement with launch readiness for new products or indications)

• Provide input and subject matter expertise to US Market Access leadership in the development and management of payer account plans

• Self-directed goals and objectives with the broader team in focus

• Ability to travel up to 50% or as dictated by business need

Basic Qualifications

• Advanced scientific degree (i.e., MD, PharmD, PhD) and 8+ years of experience OR

• Master’s Degree and 10+ years of experience OR

• Bachelor’s Degree and 12+ years of experience OR

• High School Degree and 16+ years of experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or other advanced degree 

• 15+ years of pharmaceutical or biotechnology experience in payer relations with a proven track record of success

• 10+ years of market access experience

• 5+ years of experience in oncology sales

• Extensive experience with private and public payers, across all settings of care, to include the complexities for reimbursement in each setting

• Extensive understanding of hematology / oncology clinical landscape, Medicare A & B, and the business of cell therapy

• In-depth Part a/b coverage and reimbursement knowledge, and demonstrated ability to successfully address customer needs with payers and certified treatment centers

• Strong negotiation skills and a demonstrated ability to assist leadership’s knowledge of trends including new payment models, COE networks and other management strategies

• Medicare Part A/B experience

• Strong proficiency in critical thinking, project management, communication / presentation, and arbitration/influencing skills

• Demonstrated proficiency in Oncology clinical science with strong clinical outcomes and health economic data fluency

• Strong financial management and business acumen

• Experience in sales leadership, field reimbursement, pharmacy leadership, medical leadership, or healthcare institution

• Thorough understanding of hematology / oncology clinical landscape (and, preferably the business of cell therapy)

• Experience managing products covered under medical benefit in inpatient / outpatient settings

• Validated understanding of customer segments and regional market dynamics within oncology

• Strong negotiation skills and demonstrated understanding of innovative payment models and market access strategies that can address payer needs and overcome market barriers

• Strong leadership skills, proven ability to execute on additional roles beyond core responsibilities

• Strong understanding of US cell therapy coverage and reimbursement and demonstrated ability to successfully address customer questions 

• Extensive experience with public and private payers, and reimbursement knowledge across all settings of care

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills