Associate Director, Market Access

The Associate Director, Market Access Ontario + Western Canada assumes responsibility for managing and building relationships with provincial and private payers, hospitals, hospital pharmacies and buying groups and other external partners across the Alexion portfolio. The role will work cross-functionally and in coordination with Alexion’s Global Pricing & Reimbursement team, to leverage tools, build initiatives and manage issues ensuring patients receive access to the medications they need.

Principal Responsibilities

Market Access

• Develop strategies to ensure appropriate access for Alexion’s portfolio of products and indications in Ontario and Western provinces/territories, including engagement with provincial, private, and other key reimbursement decision makers
• Develop, implement and influence collaborative plans for specific payers and support efforts related to the development or implementation of any coverage policies for Alexion products
• Develop and implement strategies to support access for Alexion products with key decision makers within the hospital segment, including managing contracts and the buying groups
• Coordinate effort, with Patient Support Program, Sales, Marketing and Medical to support patient access with 3rd party payers
• Engage Medical to develop strategies to support access to Alexion products for appropriate patients
• Build relationships with Regional and National Payers and Payer organizations and Drug Evaluation committees to ensure the access of the patients to the products
• Coordinate activities with Alexion’s Global and local Government Affairs and Pricing & Reimbursement teams in order to ensure alignment with national strategies and negotiations, as well as global policies and objectives
• Participate in pricing negotiations with pCPA for public formulary listings and private payers, as required, to support rapid execution of product listing agreements
• Contribute to national and regional access and advocacy strategies for Alexion products in partnership with internal teams (e.g., market access, government affairs, patient advocacy, medical) and external partners
• Represent Alexion at local market meetings, key conferences, and association meetings
• Coordinate with marketing to integrate branding in collateral materials designed to facilitate appropriate access for hospital, outpatient, and 3rd party payers

Qualifications

The selected candidate comes with a successful track record in market access, government affairs, account management, or sales leadership. Public and private payer industry and/or orphan/ultra-orphan product experience is strongly preferred. The candidate should have a strong understanding of federal, provincial and 3rd party payer systems; this includes understanding of payer policy development with commercial payers; solid understanding of reimbursement systems and processes for coverage with public and commercial payers; can set strategic and daily priorities; develop and lead the implementation of influence plans through multiple parties; has negotiated and implemented contracts; strong verbal and written communication skills; is a great teammate; and produces results. Additionally, the preferred candidate has a proven track record of success working with hospital pharmacy and administration to gain access to therapies; coordinated the inpatient and outpatient hospital settings.

• 8+ years’ experience in pharmaceutical industry and/or government, biotech experience preferred
• 3+ years’ experience in payer/corporate accounts with a proven track record.
• Reimbursement/National Account experience, preferably in rare disease
• Management of access for therapies treating rare diseases preferred
• Cross-functional experience in other commercial roles, such as Sales, Marketing, Commercial Operations, Medical Affairs, Publications, National/Corporate Accounts, Managed Markets, Hospital Markets, etc.
• Experience with provincial payers and various levels of government, with a particular emphasis on Ontario and Western Canada
• Experience in specialty sales, with hematology/oncology, nephrology, neurology, and/or ultra-orphan drug experience preferred
• Experience in developing and leading market access strategies, robust value dossiers and HTA submissions
• Experience with gaining access to therapies in the inpatient hospital setting by working with pharmacy and administration
• Effective verbal and written communication skills and organizational abilities
• Clinical, technical and scientific knowledge and proficiency in complex disease states
• Negotiation experience provincially or nationally an asset
• Effective administrator who efficiently manages time, resources and workload
• Proven track record to manage large geographical territory

Other requirements

• English (spoken and written) fluent, French an asset
• Travel 30% – 40% across Canada

Education

• University degree in science, business or equivalent
• MBA, PhD an asset
• Pharma-economics / Health Economics degree an asset

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we fuel bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That’s why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn’t mean we’re not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

At Alexion, you will find a collaborative culture that encourages innovation and a diverse environment where your contributions are valued. You will have the opportunity to be at the forefront of rare disease research and make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives.

Alexion embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We follow all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.

Ready to lead and inspire? Apply now and take the first step towards an exciting career at Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease.

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.